October 15-18, 2025 in Washington DC
The nation’s largest media convention for pros and college students is sponsored by the Associated Collegiate Press, College Media Association, and Society of Professional Journalists.
There is still time to register for the conference, which includes a number of sessions were organized by DC SPJ chapter members. Come and show your support.
Here are sessions either featuring or organized by members of the DC chapter.
1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 Latrope
Media literacy – all-hands on deck
Journalists and journalism educators offer many different approaches to develop and implement media literacy programs. Examples include workshops to train student and early career journalists on how to educate the public about their work, a speakers’ bureau for media literacy, or a joint training course for police and press on each other’s roles, rights and responsibilities. Learn about all of them.
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- Katja Ridderbusch, SPJ Georgia president
- Mollie Muchna, Trusting News project manager
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2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16 Burnham
Writing beyond borders: How to break into international publications
Expand your bylines and your horizons with this session on writing for a global audience – while also protecting you and your sources. Learn how to discover compelling international story ideas, pitch editors around the world, and navigate the challenges of reporting from afar. We’ll explore where to find publications that commission overseas stories, what makes an international pitch stand out, and how to build the tools, contacts, and cultural know-how to succeed.
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- Moderator: Stacie Overton Johnson, SPJ Freelance Community chair
- Jessica Jerreat, Voice of America press freedom editor
- Eric Philips, Media Risk Consultant, Former VOA safety adviser
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4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 16, Penn Quarter B, Level 1B
How reporters can (and should) cover attempts to erase Black history in their own backyards
Join Pulitzer-prize-winner Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the 1619 Project, and founder of the Howard University Center for Journalism & Democracy, and Howard’s Jennifer Thomas, director of its Annenberg Honors Program, and formerly an award-winning executive producer at CNN, for a probing discussion of recent efforts by the White House to rewrite history, and their implications for both democracy and journalism. Those efforts include not only increased oversight and scrutiny of the National Museum of African American History and Culture – but also directives the to National Park Service that threaten to censor federal sites across the country, including parks, museums and monuments. In addition, at least 18 states have laws that the prevent the teaching of any material that would cause some students to feel uncomfortable or guilty about certain events in U.S. history.
This panel will explore ways reporters can document the effects of these policies on their local schools, colleges, parks, and other institutions, and why documenting this censorship matters.
Moderator: SPJ DC Chapter President Celia Wexler
1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 Penn Quarter B
Staying safe in tough situations
At protests or other situations involving conflict, there is no such thing as a “student” journalist. Students wearing a press credential are in as much danger as anyone else in these situations, and they need to know how to stay safe. This panel brings together student journalists who have covered conflict-ridden situations and the James W. Foley Foundation to discuss best practices for safety.
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- Tom Durkin, James W. Foley Foundation education coordinator
- Ruby Mulvaney, Foley Foundation student fellow
- Jean Norman, Weber State University
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10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17, Latrobe, SPJ Hall
Press Freedom as a News Beat
Jessica Jerreat, Voice of America press freedom editor, and member of SPJ DC’s board, will join Kristin McCudden, U.S. Press Freedom Tracker managing editor, and Angele Latham, The Tennessean First Amendment reporter, to offer guidance about making the First Amendment the anchor of your news stories.
10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17 Penn Quarter B
Using Tor to protect you and your sources
At its core, Tor is a well-known web browser that lets you search anonymously. But Tor is also much more than that. Numerous news organizations use this free software package to communicate safely with sources. Democratic civic groups in dictatorial countries also use Tor to help organize opposition to those dictatorships. What can you use it for? We’ll show you the options.
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- Dan Kubiske, SPJ International Community co-chair
- Pavel Zoneff The Tor Project director of strategic communication
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2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, Burnham
Breaking Into Trade Publications
Join SPJ DC chapter board member and Region 2 Coordinator Stephenie Overman, a successful freelancer, and Bloomberg Industry Group editor Rebecca Baker in an informative discussion identifying freelance opportunities beyond traditional news outlets, like newspapers, and offering advice about breaking into these new markets.
2 p.m Friday, Oct. 17 Arlington Room
Truth with a camera: empathy in visual reporting
Cornell Capa championed the “concerned photographer” – one whose images transcend cynicism to reveal raw human truth. We’ll explore how empathy in photojournalism creates powerful emotional connections, drawing audiences into the heart of a story. Discover how the lens becomes a bridge between observer and subject, fostering deeper understanding and impact.
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- Christopher Tyree, Virginia Center for Investigative Journalism co-founder
- Martin Smith-Rodden, Ball State University
- Josh Meltzer, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Andrea Bruce, former Washington Post staff photojournalist
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3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 Latrobe SPJ Hall
Media: A cornerstone of global democracy
For more than 80 years, the United States has exported its ideals of the First Amendment through supporting or supplying independent journalism in countries where a free press is in short supply. Under the current administration, this powerful tool of soft power has been dismantled, with the ending of USAID and silencing of Voice of America (VOA). We’ll examine how funding international journalism supports national security priorities, the impact and reach of these programs, and what is filling the void left by USAID and VOA.
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- Liam Scott, The Press Freedom Report author
- Patsy Widakuswara, former Voice of America White House bureau chief
- Steve Herman, Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation executive director
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4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17, Lincoln Boardroom (1B)
Dan Kubiske, co-chair of the SPJ International Committee will welcome members and anyone interested in the committee’s work.