The NPF Newsbag

A Visit From Russia

Two journalists and four regional press ministers from Russia visited NPF offices to learn about fundraising for journalism educational programs. The NPF staff told them about our Annual Awards Dinner. The Russian journalists say they are involved in planning a similar awards dinner in Russia for over 1,000 guests. But they said that an obstacle in their experience has been selling tickets to those who wish to attend for free. 

Inspiring a 'Second Generation'

March 31-- Nigerian journalist Sylvia Nzurumike has capitalized – literally – on the NPF fellowship that brought her to South Africa last summer to learn about reporting on HIV/AIDS. One of 55 journalists in our J2J HIV/AIDS Media Training, held in conjunction with the 5th IAS Conference on Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, Sylvia used her fellowship as the starting point for a journey that would include training dozens of other journalists, and creation of a radio program about prevention and treatment of the virus, which kills 170,000 in Nigeria each year.

One-Man Bands Will Be Heard

WASHINGTON -- Or should that be, One-person bands? Howard Kurtz in the Washington Post has a good piece on the budget-driven, technology-sensitive issue of reporters who do everything -- set the camera up, run in front for the discussion, edit on a laptop; or write, edit, move the story.

It's a fact of all of our lives now. NPF is going to start a series of programs for one-man bands, and bureau reporters, on Capitol Hill issues. Our partners are POLITICO and the Center on Congress of Indiana University. The programs will be starting soon. we'll post notice of them in all the usual places, including here, and our website, www.nationalpress.org. Stay tuned.

NPF Awards Deadline Monday Oct. 5

 

The deadline is fast approaching for three major journalism awards from the National Press Foundation. All of them have a deadline of 5 pm on Monday October 5. The awards are:

 

* The Everett McKinley Dirksen Award for Coverage of Congress. Two awards, $5,000 each, for print and broadcast.  Broadcast can include digital or any non-print medium.

 

* The Berryman Award forEditorial cartooning. $2,500 award. Animated cartoons, as well as print, are welcome.

 

* The Online Journalism Award. $2,500 award. Entries may be from individuals or organizations. Original content is critical. 

 

The awards will be presented at our Annual Awards Dinner, Tuesday February 16, 2010. For more details go to www.nationalpress.org, and click on awards. 

About NPF: Banker Bernstein Loved Journalists

The death last week of banker Leo M. Bernstein took away a gentle man who loved journalists for all the right reasons -- they tell the truth.

Opening Washington's File Cabinet at SPJ Convention

For everyone going to the SPJ Convention here in Washington from October 4-7, look out for two training sessions organized by the National Press Foundation to help you "Open Washington's File Cabinet."

Opening Washington’s File Cabinet: Public Security: A to Z

This session will cover strategies for extracting locally relevant information from Washington as related to public security. Seasoned journalist Jim Carroll will share insights on tapping into online resources related to covering the justice system, accidents, natural disasters and homeland security.

Speaker: James R. Carroll, bureau chief, Louisville Courier-Journal, Washington, D.C. bureau
Date/Time: Saturday, October 6, 11:00 am - Noon
Location: Hyatt Regency (Capitol Hill). Capitol B Room

Opening Washington’s File Cabinet: Covering Federal Contracts and Grants

Want to know how to track federal contracts and grants in your hometown or local area? This presentation by the National Press Foundation will survey government and private Web sources for tracking how much federal money comes into your community, college or businesses. You’ll learn how to craft searches to zero-in on specific companies and geographical areas. Attendees will also receive free research materials.

Speaker: Nolan Walters, consultant, National Press Foundation
Date/Time: Saturday, October 6, 2:30 - 3:30
Location: Hyatt Regency (Capitol Hill). Capitol B Room

And speaking of conferences, the Online News Association's conference is in Toronto from October 17-19. They sent us the release yesterday. Check it out: Download online_news_association_annual_meeting_is_not_to_be_missed.doc

The Update - July 2007

Check out the latest edition of our quarterly newsletter, The Update. Inside you'll find reports on recent past programs, a list of upcoming seminars, and other NPF news.

Download summer_2007_update_final.pdf

We did it, with your support!!

We're pleased to report that we matched our $25,000 Challenge Grant from the Knight, Ford, and Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundations.  We raised more than $34,000 from individual donors, of which $28,000 qualified for our match.  This was our first campaign to raise funds from individual donors, and we heard from many people – journalists who have participated in our training programs, speakers, and partner organizations, Annual Awards Dinner attendees and honorees, and those who believe strongly in a vigorous, well educated press.  All of their contributions matter a great deal to the future of journalism and of NPF. 

Many thanks to the individuals who contributed and to those organizations that provided matching grants.   

NPF is seeking new funding sources, through the Challenge Grant and other means, so that we can sustain and expand our no-cost training programs.  The challenge is ongoing and we invite you to offer your support.

Welcome to the NPF Community Blog

I'm going to be highlighting our program alumnus, past speakers, and the Foundation's activities. Stay tuned for more.