Latest:

5 Conferences Every Journalist Should Attend

  • Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference
  • IRE Conference
  • SEJ Annual Conference
  • Mobile Me & You
  • Journalism and Women Symposium CAMP

Journalism is a rapidly changing field; to stay up-to-date, it’s helpful to attend the best conferences for journalists. These gatherings are a one-stop shop for professional development — they include training sessions, informational presentations, and networking opportunities. For busy writers and broadcasters, this is a handy way to find out about everything from FTC disclosure rules to the latest social media platforms for journalists.

Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference

For journalists who work with digital reporting, the Computer-Assisted Reporting Conference is a must. This journalism conference is dedicated to the issues that reporters face when dealing with data and digital media. Topics are wide-ranging; attendees might learn how to use online tools to help with data visualization, for example, or they can attend training sessions in free software platforms. Many of the sessions take into consideration the budgetary constraints of modern publications by focusing on free tools that are available to everyone. The best part? This conference has something for reporters at every level, so it’s helpful for beginners and experienced news managers alike.

IRE Conference

Run by the Investigative Reporters and Editors association, the IRE Conference helps professionals learn how to tell better stories. With a blend of interactive classes and presentations, it offers a nice mix of information and skills training. One of the most valuable parts of this conference is the networking and support — for investigative reporters who often come under fire for their work, the social opportunities are a big help. For writers who need to work with big data sets as a part of their investigations, some of the most useful sessions teach strategies for digging through large databases or documents to find patterns and problems.

SEJ Annual Conference

For reporters who deal with topics related to the environment, energy, health, climate, or science, the SEJ Annual Conference is one of the most helpful conferences about journalism. Run by the Society of Environmental Journalists, this event brings together reporters from across the country. It helps professionals learn to report responsibly about sensitive issues such as climate change and tribal lands. Since this conference brings in subject-matter experts from the government, public agencies, and industry professionals, it’s a handy place to find sources and connections.

Mobile Me & You

There’s no question that technology is changing the way news is reported. That’s where Mobile Me & You comes in — it’s one of the journalist conferences that helps reporters learn how to use mobile platforms for effective storytelling. This is a particularly useful event for journalists who need to keep up on the latest mobile technologies and platforms; it includes a range of training sessions and introductions, so it’s easier to identify the trends that are best suited to your publication. From bots to augmented reality app, this conference helps reporters leverage technology in a way that engages readers and serves the story.

Journalism and Women Symposium CAMP

The annual conference of the Journalism and Women Symposium, the Conference and Mentoring Project (CAMP) is dedicated to inclusivity in reporting. It’s goal is to help journalists learn how to take into consideration different perspectives when telling a story — particularly those that have been ignored or underrepresented in the past. Topics range from dealing with inequality, funding publications, and using public records. This conference also delves into new reporting platforms such as podcasts.

Conclusion

For journalism professionals, time and money are often at a premium. That’s why conferences are such a great opportunity for networking and continuing education. By choosing the best and most relevant conferences for journalists, it’s easy to keep track of the latest industry developments.

Related Resources: