First Chapter program of year set for Sept. 18 with NPC Professional Development Committee:
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER DAVID CORN TO GIVE TIPS ON HONING INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS
Whether you want to become a better investigative reporter or are an old hand at it, David Corn of Mother Jones will have something to say that hits you where you are professionally. Remember the blockbuster "47%" comment by Mitt Romney that affected the arc of his presidential run in 2012? Corn is largely responsible for it being reported in the mainstream media, after Mother Jones posted a video secretly recorded at a private fundraiser at which Romney made remarks about incumbent President Barack Obama's 47% support among voters, a segment of the constituency that doesn't pay income taxes, according to Romney.
Mid-term elections are about to get into full swing. Early buzz about 2016 presidential contenders is swirling. Who are you covering? Come hear Corn, D.C. bureau chief of Mother Jones magazine and a regular commentator on TV news shows, give pointers on the work of investigative reporting in the political arena. Be prepared to ask questions and perhaps engage in a lively discussion.
“Behind the Scenes: Investigative Reporting with David Corn” will be Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Zenger Room at the National Press Club, located on the 13th Floor of the National Press Building at 529 14th St., NW, Washington, D.C. The Society of Professional Journalists D.C. Pro Chapter is co-sponsoring with the National Press Club's Journalism Institute/Professional Development Committee.
The cost is $5 for NPC and SPJ members and students; $10 for non-members. Please use this link to RSVP: http://www.press.org/events/behind-scenes-investigative-reporting-david-corn-dc-bureau-chief-mother-jones-magazine
Mother Jones is a nonprofit news organization with an emphasis on investigative reporting, in particular on politics and social justice. There is a website – MotherJones.com – and a bimonthly magazine, all with original reporting. Mother Jones and many of its reporters have received numerous journalism award.
In 2013, Mother Jones received four National Magazine Award nominations from the American Society of Magazine Editors, ultimately winning in the category of video for David Corn's reporting of the "47%" story.
The Society of Professional Journalists awarded Mother Jones a Sigma Delta Chi Award for "America Under the Gun: A Special Report on the Rise of Mass Shootings," also in 2013.
David Corn received the 2012 George Polk Award for Political Reporting for his reporting of the "47%" story, joining the ranks of Edward R. Murrow, Carl Bernstein, Walter Cronkite and Christiane Amanpour, who were previous recipients.
Door prizes will be drawn for, and each attendee will get a copy of Mother Jones magazine.
The NPC Journalism Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit; the registration fee covers the cost of AV equipment for the meeting room and staff preparation for the event. As a professional development training event, you should be able to count the cost as a business expense for income tax filing purposes.
For more information, contact Nicole Hoffman (nhoffman@press.org) at NPC/JI, Amy Fickling of the NPC Professional Development Committee (xlntdragon@hotmail.com) or Kathy Burns of SPJ DC Pro Chapter at burnskathy@earthlink.net or 703-824-1799.
