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THIS WEEK’S TL;DR: Learn from a ProPublica powerhouse; build your reporting foundation; see our Poynter Journalism Prize winners; master trauma-informed interviewing; join us for the future of facts; browse open jobs, & more.
Let's talk about craft. What exactly goes into exceptional journalism? You know the kind — stories that make a community take notice, pieces that stop you during a doom scroll. The reporting that paints pictures most never see and amplifies voices most never hear.
While truly great work leads its reader into worlds of awe, it can also plant seeds of doubt. “Why isn't my work at this level? Maybe I just don’t have it.” If these thoughts sound familiar, you’re in good company.
Take ProPublica’s Alexandra Zayas. Today, her reporting has earned some of journalism’s highest recognition, but at the beginning, she struggled with the same doubts. She didn’t think she was “smart enough or mean enough,” for investigative journalism.
“Seven years into doing the job, I came upon a story that I really connected with, and I had an editor who I really connected with. The entire process showed me that you don’t need to be smarter or meaner, you just need to have curiosity and drive. There is a roadmap to doing work like this. … You could actually change the world. You could change lives; you could change systems. And this truly evangelized me. I’m not overstating it when I say it gave me a purpose to my life, and that is what I hope to share with the students at Poynter.”
As we announce the Poynter Journalism Prize winners today, we also want to provide you with education and actionable tools that help you craft your best work. According to Alexandra, curiosity and drive are the foundation — if you have those, Poynter can help with everything else.
Interested in leveling up while learning directly from Alexandra? Dive into the fundamentals of investigative journalism with her best-selling Will Work For Impact, with two sessions offered twice this year, in May and October.
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Online training
$699
Are you an early-career reporter? Join our journalism training program that teaches essential reporting techniques, effective storytelling methods and newsroom navigation skills. Led by seasoned journalists, this virtual program provides live instruction and personalized mentorship to help new reporters develop compelling story ideas, master ethical interviewing practices and create impactful narratives. |
Online webinar
Free
Tune in to our brand new, comprehensive webinar that equips journalists, editors, producers and students with the tools to identify and approach vulnerable sources, master trauma-informed interviewing, and craft nuanced stories that portray mental health challenges with accuracy and dignity. The live webinar with Q&A opportunities is on Tuesday, May 20 at 1 p.m. Eastern. Can’t make it? Sign up to stream the replay.
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In-person training
June 10-12, 2025, St. Petersburg, Florida
$1,000 [Update]
One week ‘til deadline: In this workshop, journalists will master narrative non-fiction techniques, gain insights into the publishing world and build resilience for navigating rejections. Expert-led sessions will teach how to work with agents and help participants develop their own book proposals, with personalized guidance from experienced writers. Space is limited to maximize feedback, so apply by May 7, 2025.
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| Poynter celebrated our inaugural Community Conversation the evening of Thursday, April 24. Local journalists and media experts led a thoughtful discussion on the current state and future of trust and truth in journalism. Thank you to everyone who attended! If you missed it, you can join us this summer in Washington, D.C., at our traveling exhibit's next stop. Follow the exhibit’s journey and sign up to take part here. |
NABJ and Poynter: Celebrating 50 years, Leading the Way Forward
Celebrate the 50th anniversaries of the Poynter Institute and the National Association of Black Journalists through a free webinar tackling today’s challenges and identifying tomorrow’s opportunities. Sign up to tune in live on Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. Eastern.
Immigration resources
Tip sheet and online self-directed course
Zita Arocha is a bilingual journalist, writer and educator who's offering her decades of expertise covering immigration to Poynter learners through her Immigration Matters tip sheets and Understanding U.S. Immigration from the Border to the Heartland, a free six-part, self-directed course.
Cost: Free.
Getting It Right: Accuracy and Verification in the Digital Age
Online, self-directed course
Get the knowledge and tools necessary to become more accurate in what you publish in print, over the airwaves or online. Learn more about how and why errors appear in your work, and gain a fundamental understanding of how to prevent them, along with the most up-to-the-minute tools for verifying information online.
Cost: $50. Enroll anytime.
Beat Academy: Polarized America
Webinar series
Poynter’s Beat Academy offers deeper understanding of polarization in America and Christian nationalism to empower newsrooms to foster accurate reporting and inspire meaningful dialogue. Originally broadcast Feb. 20 and 27, 2025.
Cost: $15. Enroll now.
Beat Academy: Immigration (2025)
Online webinar
This comprehensive immigration webinar provides practical insights from experienced reporters and policy experts on covering immigration policy under the Trump administration with accuracy and depth. This training was originally broadcast on March 27.
Cost: $15. Enroll now.
Poynter ACES Certificates in Editing
Self-directed online courses
Our Introductory Certificate helps you achieve greater communication clarity and learn how to embrace accuracy and verification.
Cost: $150 or $99 for ACES members.
The Intermediate Certificate goes deeper into topics like grammar, working with writers, ethics, law and tech.
Cost: $250 or $175 for ACES members.
The Advanced Certificate engages participants in the most advanced facets of editing. Delve deeper into AI, developmental editing, developing style guides and building trust and career resilience.
Cost: $650 or $500 for ACES members. |
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