SPJ is proud to announce its newly elected officers, at-large directors and regional coordinators. SPJ elections were held at #MediaFest25, Washington, D.C. Winners were announced Oct. 18 during the closing membership meeting; those present took their oaths.
🔗Read more: www.spj.org/spj-welcomes...
The SPJ Foundation is pleased to announce its 2025-26 board of directors, confirmed by unanimous vote at its Oct. 17 meeting during #MediaFest25 in Washington, D.C.
🔗View the full list of board members and officers: www.spj.org/spj-foundati...
🏆Thank you to Dean Baquet, Valeria Fernández and Kat Tenbarge, SPJ Fellows of the Society, for joining us at #MediaFest25. They led a powerful conversation Friday about the current state and future of journalism. We’re proud to recognize them with SPJ’s highest professional honor.
A group of people smiling in a room at MediaFest25 in D.C.
Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Benét Wilson, and Valeria Fernández
Thanks to everyone who joined our freelance meetup at #MediaFest25!
“Presence is power.”
Incredible #MediaFest25 session with @demetriusfreeman.bsky.social and @JabinBotsford from @washingtonpost.com — on how political photojournalism means showing up early, taking risks, and seeing what others miss.
#VisualStorytelling #Photojournalism #SPJ
“Comics journalism isn’t about simplifying—it’s about amplifying truth.”
Loved hearing @hannahgood.bsky.social from @washingtonpost.com at #MediaFest25 on how illustrated reporting can build empathy, transparency, and accountability.
#Journalism #Comics #VisualStorytelling
“Sometimes presenting something on social is doing the journalism.”
Loved the #MediaFest25 session with Brandon Carter and Emma Grazado from @washingtonpost.com — powerful insights on trust, community, and authentic storytelling across platforms.
#Journalism #SocialMedia
“News product is the intersection of journalism, user needs, business, and tech.”
Loved hearing Becky Bowers from @PhillyInquirer at #MediaFest25 share how design thinking and agile teamwork are reshaping storytelling and audience trust.
#NewsProduct #MediaInnovation #Journalism
“Great visual stories aren’t built — they’re composed.”
Loved hearing Courtney Kan from @washingtonpost.com at #MediaFest25 discuss how visuals, words, and pacing shape immersive storytelling.
Collaboration isn’t optional — it’s the craft.
#VisualStorytelling #Journalism #SPJ
“Digital security isn’t about paranoia — it’s about awareness.”
Loved hearing @huertanix.bsky.social from @FreedomOfThePress at #MediaFest25 share practical, human-centered lessons on staying safe online.
Security = habit, not luxury.
#CyberSafety #Journalism
“Why now? Why you? Why does it matter?”
Loved hearing Liz Alesse from @ABCNews at #MediaFest25 share how authenticity and intention drive great podcasts.
Her advice: audio storytelling is intimacy — not production.
#Podcasting #Journalism #SPJ
"We can’t ignore this anymore": How the U.S Press Freedom Tracker is fighting for journalists
Read this write-up on a panel at @spj-posts.bsky.social's #MediaFest25 featuring our Managing Editor @kamccudden.bsky.social.
SPJ Diversity Group Stalls but HBCU Plan Goes Forward tinyurl.com/yfpauew8 #HBCU #DEI @GretchenAPeck @MIJE @spj_tweets #MediaFest25! @collegemedia
On left, Fox News shows video of law enforcement on left side of screen standing in street and on right side of the screen another video of woman on megaphone and people sitting on wall behind her. The chyron says,”Police arrest rioters at Illinois ICE facility.” On right, CNN left side of screen shows reporter standing in front of crowd. We see their backs. On the right side of the screen is video of an overhead view of street fogged with tear gas. The chyron says, “Protesters confronting law enforcement outside ICE facility in Chicago suburb.”
Walking into #MediaFest25 late this morning and was confronted with this juxtaposition on the hotel TVs. Feels like there’s a lesson here someone could use in their talk.
Jim Rodenbush, who has been fired as director of student media at Indiana University, reacts to receiving a standing ovation here at #MediaFest25. Jim’s ouster this week came amid growing tension between the school and the student newspaper over what content was allowed in the print edition.
Jim Rodenbush, who has been fired as director of student media at Indiana University, reacts to receiving a standing ovation here at #MediaFest25. Jim's ouster this week came amid growing tension between the school and the student newspaper over what content was allowed in the print edition.
More than 130 journalists have been assaulted on the job so far in 2025, according to the U.S. Press Freedom Travker. #mediafest25
I did not know that Tennessee created its own ICE, and made it largely exempt from open records. #mediafest25
I’ll be joining my former VOA colleagues Patsy Widakuswara and Liam Scott this afternoon on the #MediaFest25 panel examining how funding international journalism supports national security priorities, the impact and reach of these programs and what is filling the void left by VOA’s destruction.
I'll be joining my former VOA colleagues Patsy Widakuswara and Liam Scott this afternoon on the #MediaFest25 panel examining how funding international journalism supports national security priorities, the impact and reach of these programs and what is filling the void left by VOA's destruction.
“There’s no single source of truth in U.S. elections — so journalists have to build it.”
At #MediaFest25, Robert Yoon from @AP shared how reporters verify results, call races, and fight misinformation on election night.
Transparency = trust.
#Journalism #Elections #SPJ
“Journalists aren’t just storytellers anymore — we’re verifiers of truth.”
Incredible session with Dan Petty from @ProPublica at #MediaFest25 on using Google tools to fact-check photos, videos, and claims in seconds.
Digital safety = press freedom.
#FactChecking #GoogleNewsInitiative #SPJ
Margaret Talev’s keynote at #MediaFest25 hit home:
“The point of journalism isn’t to make people agree with you — it’s to help them learn.”
She urged young reporters to stay courageous amid polarization, tech disruption, and censorship pressures.
#SPJ #Democracy #AIandJournalism
Loved hearing Vix Reitano at #MediaFest25 walk us through how tools like Google Pinpoint and Trends can help reporters uncover stories hidden in massive data sets.
“AI can’t replace journalists — but it can make us better at finding truth.”
#GoogleNewsInitiative #SPJ #AIandJournalism
Media executive, author and professor Chris R. Vaccaro is the Society of Professional Journalists’ 109th national president.
Vaccaro was sworn in during the Presidents Reception today at #MediaFest25 in Washington, D.C.
🔗Read the full press release: www.spj.org/chris-r-vacc...
🎉SPJ has honored a select group of chapters in its annual Circle of Excellence Awards. The winners were recognized during the Open Membership Meeting Wednesday evening at #MediaFest25, in Washington, D.C.
🔗Read the full press release: www.spj.org/spj-chapters...
🎉SPJ is proud to announce the winners of its Pro Chapter of the Year, Campus Chapter of the Year and Campus Program of the Year awards.
The winners were recognized at the Opening Membership Meeting at #MediaFest25 Wednesday evening.
🔗Read more: www.spj.org/spj-announce...
This is currently being discussed at #mediafest25 as we talk about journalist safety.
😩😩😩 Right now Nikole Hannah-Jones - creator of the 1619 Project - is giving a keynote on reporting the erasure of Black history at #mediafest25. The room is full and I can’t get in. This was a highlight of the convention for me. I should have known it would fill up. 😑
Not live-blogging the internal #mediafest25 stuff like fundraising and advocacy, but will happily chat/rant if anyone cares.
