The Latest: The WaPo rebuild; ABC vs. FCC; Breaking into audience journalism

June 22, 2026

■ ABC escalates battle with FCC, launches on-air campaign urging public support (Hollywood Reporter) / ‘The federal regulator is investigating the Disney-owned television company on two fronts , with “The View” and ABC’s local stations targeted.’ (Washington Post)

■ Can Tony Dokoupil weather the war at CBS ? (Wall Street Journal)

■ ‘The press corps failed badly in the run-up to the US invasion of Iraq. Was coverage of the Iran war any better ?’ (Columbia Journalism Review)

■ Mexico’s laws have a new target : Journalists (New York Times)

■ New York Times CEO confident company will win legal battles against OpenAI/Microsoft, Perplexity (Axios)

■ Daily Herald finalizes sale to Tribune Publishing (Daily Herald)

■ Jeff Barker, who has covered politics and sports for The Baltimore Sun for 25 years, resigns, saying the news outlet has changed under ownership of David Smith (Jeff Barker) / Iowa anchor chokes up on air as he quits in protest over 'sanitized news': 'The facts matter' (TheWrap)

■ The Atlantic beefs up video podcasts (Semafor)

■ The new kings of the news business are in your inbox (Washington Post)

■ NPR elevates Kristin Hume and Juliet Barbara to vice president roles to drive audience growth and public trust (NPR) / Scott Graf named next general manager of Idaho Public Television (Idaho Public Television) / Hilary Stout named health policy editor in Washington (New York Times) / POLITICO names Stefanie Bolzen Transatlantic correspondent (POLITICO) / Washington Post hires Hesson from Reuters (Talking Biz News) / Houston Chronicle hires Merle as business editor (Talking Biz News)

■ The presses are stopping at a newspaper that's covered Texas since 1926 (Chron)

■ Missouri PBS station steps into the ring with pro wrestling (Current)

■ For Fox, televising the World Cup is ‘like having two NFL seasons in a single year ’ (NBC Sports) / Boston newspaper thanked Scotland World Cup fans in a classy full-page ad (For The Win)

Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling 1000 dollar prize Apply now

🌟 Opportunity for visual journalists

Applications are open for the 2026 Pamela Tobey Award for Excellence in Visual Storytelling , a $1,000 prize from the National Press Club Journalism Institute recognizing work that pushes digital storytelling beyond text.

Eligible entries — published between January and June 2026 — must use at least three non-text elements such as data visualization, interactivity, photography, video, audio, or illustration. Journalists and newsrooms of all sizes can apply, including independent and non-traditional creators.

The winner receives $1,000, national recognition, and the chance to lead a design training through the Institute. They'll also be honored at the National Press Club's Journalism Awards Dinner on August 26.

Last year's prize went to a Reuters team for their visual investigation into the unexploded bombs of Gaza . Their project used illustration, photography, and data to convey scale in ways traditional formats couldn't.

The deadline to apply is July 20 . No entry fee required.

APPLY NOW

Career Office Hour: Finding opportunities in audience and engagement journalism

The Institute's next virtual Career Office Hour will focus on how journalists can build careers and thrive in audience and engagement teams for newsrooms.

🗓️ Tuesday, July 7 | ⏰ Noon ET | 📍Zoom (free)

Featured speakers include Molly Stier, coordinating editor of audience engagement for MS NOW, formerly MSNBC. Molly and other panelists (to be announced) will share insights into their newsrooms’ operations and what they look for in job applicants and potential colleagues.

Attendees will learn what types of jobs exist within the broad spectrum of audience and engagement journalism — including social media and newsletter production, subscriber growth, and more. Plus, you’ll discover ways to stay motivated among trends in hiring and which skills are worth gaining or adapting to match real-world opportunities.

Whether you’re new to journalism — or an experienced reporter or editor looking to pivot to audience and engagement-focused roles — this office-hour-themed session will help answer your questions and offer practical advice on applying to jobs.

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The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes First Amendment values by equipping journalists in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the skills, knowledge, standards, resources and networks to empower and inform the public. 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.