Club serves as press filing center for inaugural events

As it has done throughout the past year of extraordinary news events, the National Press Club offered access to credentialed journalists covering this week's inaugural activities.

The Club pre-registered nearly 30 reporters and photographers representing news organizations in the United States and Canada, providing desk space, cable television, broadband access, Wi-Fi and water.

"Following last week's failed insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, the inaugural coverage came with  significant security issues, in addition to the health risks posed by the pandemic," said Club President Mike Freedman. "With many newsrooms and bureaus shuttered, the Club was proud to once again offer both work space and safe haven for journalists."

Freedman also had high praise for the Club staff who worked the event.

"It took courage and perseverance just to get into the area, let alone provide safe services," he said. "We owe a debt of gratitude to Executive Director Bill McCarren and his team for their dedication to the Club and the profession."

In addition to serving as a filing center this week for journalists covering inaugural activities, the Club also provided work space and a safe haven for the presidential debates last fall, election night and last week's failed insurrection.