Journalism Institute and PEN America offer program on equity and community in local news, Aug. 12

As news organizations and the nation respond to the coronavirus pandemic and the protests following the killing by police of George Floyd, journalists have increasingly confronted the need for newsroom equity and a truer relationship with the communities they serve. 

The National Press Club Journalism Institute and PEN America will co-host a program on “Equity and community in local news: Lessons learned in 2020” on Wednesday, Aug. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to share takeaways from pandemic and protest coverage and to look ahead toward election coverage. 

Registration is open for the program, which will be moderated by Jim Friedlich, executive director and CEO of the Lenfest Institute of Journalism, and will feature Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer; Cassie Haynes, co-executive director at Resolve Philadelphia; Darryl Holliday, co-founder and News Lab director at City Bureau in Chicago; and Tasneem Raja, editor-in-chief of The Oaklandside.

PEN America’s recent report on the demise of local journalism in the United States pointed to innovation in business models and community engagement as one key to the potential survival of local news, historically one of the building blocks of the American democracy. The speakers will discuss how their organizations innovate continuously and how they have adapted during this critical time with a focus on equity and inclusion, as well as elevating previously marginalized voices in storytelling, community, and local engagement. They will also address opportunities and challenges that a representative journalism and democracy face in the upcoming election.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute has added weekly programming, a daily newsletter, a daily writing group, and other support for journalists since March, and has waived fees for everything due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you value what you’ve been learning from the Institute during this time, please consider a donation of $5, $10, or whatever you can contribute.

This program is one of an ongoing series of free conversations. Upcoming:

• What would antiracist journalism look like? with Leah Donnella, Cassie Haynes and Robert Samuels (Aug, 21, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)

• Journalists in peril: Creating a safer, equitable future together with Jill Geisler, Alex Marquardt, Sarah Matthews, Abby Phillip and Michael Santiago (Sept. 16, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)

Watch the video replay or read the recap:

• Writing through: Grieving together, alone with Keith Woods and Tom Huang

• Leading through: Resilient newsrooms with Robyn Tomlin, Mike Wilson and Jill Geisler 

• Writing through: Resilience & community with Connie Schultz and Jon Mooallem 

• Covering Coronavirus: How to be an antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi, Robert Samuels and Shannon Young 

• Writing through: A personal pandemic with Sarah Maslin Nir and Tim Herrrera 

• Writing through: The power of details with Jessica Contrera and Kelley Benham French 

• Writing through: Focusing in short bursts with Lane DeGregory, Deborah Netburn and Marla Broadfoot 

• Find untold stories: How to use PACER with Seamus Hughes 

• Design hacks: How to create visuals when it’s not usually your job with Beth Francesco 

• Working through: Revising your emotional story with Elizabeth Flock and Lori Gottlieb 

• Newsroom leadership in the age of Black Lives Matter with Mizell Stewart III, Katrice Hardy and Mary Irby-Jones

• The art & craft of the interview: How to deeply listen with Terry Gross, Michael Barbaro and Kimberly Adams 

• How to recruit, develop and advance diverse investigative journalism teams with Manny Garcia, Maria Perez and Cheryl W. Thompson 

• Being heard: How to use your voice so people listen with Sewell Chan, Erika Smith, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jake Silverstein

• Covering justice: Reimagining the cops, crime, courts beats with Michael Days, Libor Jany and Jamiles Lartey

• Keeping public records public: Strategies for getting access during the pandemic with Miranda Spivack and Mark Walker

Contact Journalism Institute Executive Director Julie Moos with questions.