This 90-minute event will explore topics related to the lack of diversity in the news industry as well as how veterans can use their lived experiences to bring nuanced understanding of military and veteran issues into newsrooms.
While about 7 percent of Americans have served in the U.S. military, only 2 percent of American journalists are vets.
The panel discussion will be moderated by NPC President Jen Judson, who is the land warfare reporter at Defense News. Also participating in the discussion will be:
- Bob Woodward of The Washington Post, Navy veteran
- Zack Baddorf of Military Veterans in Journalism, Navy veteran
- Ron Nixon of the Associated Press, Marine Corps veteran
- Allison Erickson of The Texas Tribune, Army veteran
“The National Press Club is honored to host and moderate this event on such a timely topic in the news industry,” said Judson, an experienced national defense journalist. “Veterans bring much-needed skills to journalistic work, including a diversity of perspective that’s often overlooked. We look forward to hearing the thoughts and advice of this panel of incredibly talented veterans in journalism.”
MVJ will also use the occasion to launch its Military & Veteran Affairs Reporting Guide, a new online resource portal made possible thanks to support from News Corp Giving.
The Military & Veteran Affairs Reporting Guide includes a series of reporting tips, a showcase of veterans in media, a database of military and veterans affairs experts, and a comprehensive cultural competency guide to reporting on military and veteran issues. This portal will serve as a resource for reporters covering military and veteran reporting beats.
“The Military & Veteran Affairs Reporting Guide was built with support and input from a wide range of folks in the military veteran community,” said Baddorf, who has reported from Syria, Iraq, Ukraine and elsewhere for outlets like the New York Times and the Associated Press. “We also hope this guide will serve as a useful tool for reporters to increase the quality of their reporting on the military and veterans for years to come.”
Journalists and others interested in attending this Veterans Day event may RSVP via Eventbrite.
About the National Press Club
The National Press Club is the World’s Leading Professional Organization for Journalists™. It serves its members through professional development activities that bolster their skills, through services that meet the changing needs of the global communications profession and through social activities that build a vital media community in Washington and around the world. The Club is where news happens in the nation’s capital and is a vigorous advocate of press freedom worldwide. Learn more at www.press.org.
About Military Veterans in Journalism
Military Veterans in Journalism is a professional association that builds community for vets, supports their career growth, and advocates for diversifying newsrooms through hiring and promoting more vets. Learn more at www.mvj.network.
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