Spring has sprung — as has a new season of learning opportunities for journalists and communicators at the NPCJI.

This month, the Institute is pleased to launch a series of webinars aimed at equipping journalists across the U.S. with tools to fight mis- and disinformation, conspiracy theories, and rumors — all already causing confusion in communities and threatening to disrupt our democratic process. Read more about the series, funded in part by the Inasmuch Foundation, below. 

The series follows another important expansion of our service to journalists: the inaugural Career Day at the National Press Club, a joint NPC-NPCJI effort. Nearly 300 journalism job-seekers gathered at the Club on March 22 to meet with recruiters, get career advice, and update their headshots during the inaugural Career Day at the NPC. Said job-seekers: 

“Thank you for having this event. It certainly helped me to make critical and desperately needed contacts.”

“I picked up lots of good tips as job-seeker who's been in the business for decades and hasn't hunted for a job in decades.”

“I’m so appreciative of the generosity and kindness shown by the NPC/JI and its members through these turbulent times in our industry.”

(Photos by Tina dela Rosa and Lisa Maslovskaya)

Click here to see more highlights and view training sessions you may have missed.

We’re so pleased to develop these new opportunities in response to your needs and feedback, which we welcome — you can share more training suggestions in our survey here. If you have ideas or want to talk about your corner of the journalism world, please reach out. Until then, we hope to see you at a program soon.

-- The NPCJI Staff

April 10: Framing the disinformation crisis for journalists

Journalism and democracy have been upended by the growth of mis- and disinformation. Countering it effectively requires understanding why people are susceptible and targeted — and how they can become more resilient. Psychological research can teach journalists how to pre-bunk disinformation and convey credibility in ways that readers, viewers, and listeners can process, which is more essential than ever as Election Day 2024 nears.

Join the National Press Club Journalism Institute, the American Psychological Association, and PEN America at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 10, to learn strategies for coverage that informs and empowers your community and to discuss the ways disinformation has affected the practice of journalism.

Panelists include: 

• Tiffany Hsu, reporter on the technology team covering misinformation and disinformation, New York Times
• Shannon Jankowski, program director, journalism and disinformation for PEN America
• Jay Van Bavel, director of the Social Identity & Morality Lab and associate professor of psychology and neural science, New York University
• Moderator: Beth Francesco, executive director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute

April 17: How journalists can build and support a culture of credibility

Separating fact from fiction has long been the journalist’s job. But in environments where multiple stakeholders are complicit in sourcing or profiting from mis- and disinformation campaigns, where can journalists turn to mindfully, ethically, and systematically navigate blatant attempts to circumvent the truth?

Strong journalistic standards and systems can help to chart the course for combatting mis- and disinformation while rebuilding trust in the news media. 

Join a virtual discussion among standards editors with national news outlets at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 17, where they will raise the curtain on the important discussions that guide their outlets’ coverage. From rigorously fact-checking reporting to framing global conflicts to language choices and beyond, they’ll share best practices and considerations journalists should make while serving the public.

Panelists include: 

• Amanda Barrett, vice president of news, standards and inclusion for The Associated Press 
• Anita Kumar, senior managing editor, North America, and standards editor for POLITICO
• Natalia Mironova, editor of news standards and best practices for Voice of America
• Eileen O’Reilly, managing editor for standards and training for Axios and NPCJI board member
• David Peterkin, vice president of news practice for ABC News 
• Moderator: Ed Kelley, dean emeritus at Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication and NPCJI board member

April 24: How journalists can champion news literacy and empower their communities

In today’s connected society, everyone is a publisher. Our phones alone grant us unparalleled opportunities to share stories not only among friends and family, but also help take videos, photos, and audio viral in what can seem like seconds. And despite someone’s best intentions, they may be helping to spread harmful mis- and disinformation, especially during times of crisis.

What role — and power — do members of the public have in halting or spreading mis- and disinformation, and what ethical considerations should they make before sharing a video or story?

Join a robust discussion among experts whose work focuses on news and information literacy and finding ways to help the public fact-check the information it interacts with. This virtual session will take place at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, April 24.

Panelists include: 

• Tamoa Calzaldilla, editor in chief of Factchequeado and creator of the bilingual Guide for Journalists Covering Latino and Spanish-Speaking Communities
• Henry Hicks, manager, U.S. Free Expressions Programs for PEN America
• Mollie Muchna, project manager for Trusting News and adjunct professor at the University of Arizona’s School of Journalism
• Dr. Kate Starbird, co-founder of the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and associate professor in the university’s Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering
• Moderator: Delano Massey, managing editor of local at Axios and NPCJI board member

May 1: How journalists can spot and disarm current tactics to influence voters

Election Day 2024 will be one of the most consequential in U.S. history, and disinformation campaigns loom large in influencing millions of Americans on what’s really at stake when they head to polls this fall. Journalists across the country must be prepared with the skills to pre- and debunk conspiracy theories, misinformation, and more — well before Nov. 5.

Join us for a practical look at current tactics used by disinformation specialists to disrupt the 2024 election and what journalists can do to counter them. This virtual session will take place at 11:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 1, and will empower journalists with the tools to challenge election-specific disinformation and lies with tact and authority while respecting audiences who may be vulnerable to such campaigns.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Tina Barton, senior elections expert, Committee for Safe and Secure Elections
• Yael Eisenstat, senior fellow at Cybersecurity for Democracy and PEN America consultant 
• Christine Fernando, democracy reporter, Associated Press 
• Sheera Frenkel, technology reporter for the New York Times 
• Chad Lorenz, editor-in-chief, VoteBeat

If you have questions about this series, please email National Press Club Journalism Institute Executive Director Beth Francesco at bfrancesco@press.org.

More ways to learn: You can find videos and more highlights from previous programs on the Institute’s website.

SUPPORT THE INSTITUTE

How to give

One of the easiest ways to support the Institute and its free programming throughout the year is with a recurring gift using your credit card. Whether it's $10, $20, or $50 a month or quarter, your financial support helps the Institute reach thousands of journalists throughout America with free and low-cost programs to help them grow their craft, produce our daily newsletter, and build events that help journalists in every stage of their careers.

These gifts to the Institute help us keep the importance of journalism to a healthy democracy front and center!

The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.

The Lewis Scholarship

This is an opportunity for college juniors or seniors with a journalism internship in Washington, D.C. Applications for students with internships this summer are due on Sunday, April 7.

The Lewis Scholarship supports student journalists of color and provides a stipend of $1,000 per month and free housing provided through Washington Intern Student Housing for the duration of their internship — estimated value of $10,000. Learn more here.

The Dennis and Shirley Feldman Fellowship

This opportunity recognizes a student or professional journalist pursuing graduate studies in journalism with a one-time stipend of $5,000 to help defray tuition costs. Applications are due on Sunday, April 14.

Applicants are not required to have published journalism work samples but should be prepared to demonstrate strong writing skills and commitment to the field. Learn more here.

National Press Club scholarships are administered by its nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Click here to learn more or to donate to support student training and initiatives.

Read the full statement from Emily Wilkins, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the non-profit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest. The Institute's tax ID number is 52-1750908.