January Academy Registration Closed for 2026 Classes

What the Best Interviewers Do Well with Jodi Rudoren
Monday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST, In person, (Room 442)

Questions are at the heart of all good journalism. Whether you’re doing a podcast/video series, reporting on breaking news or building an investigative project, interviewing is essential. We’ll talk about how to convince reluctant sources, ask hard questions and make even adversarial interviews into flowing conversations. We’ll also dissect some successful and less successful interviews, and discuss the most impactful digital formats. Part of the workshop will involve conducting and critiquing interviews with each other.

Reporting on South Asian New Yorkers in the Wake of Zohran Mamdani’s Win with Yashica Dutt
Monday, January 12, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST, Virtual

Among the most significant narratives to emerge from the historic Mayoral election in 2025 was the rising political significance of South Asians in New York. Despite forming less than 10% of registered voters, South Asians increased their voter turnout by 350% and along with Muslims constituted 15% of total votes cast in the election. The spotlight on this community is about to increase even further as Zohran Mamdani steps into City Hall. But are you ready to cover this diverse, complex group with its specific set of nuances? Join this workshop to take a deep dive into reporting on South Asian New Yorkers and why it’s more important now than ever to get it right. Bio: Yashica Dutt is a journalist and award-winning author of Coming Out as Dalit. Dutt is among the most recognized global voices on caste and was the first journalist to cover the impact of South Asian New Yorkers in the mayoral race in detail. She lives in Brooklyn.

Fact-Checking: What Is It and How To Do It Well with Danielle Mackey
Monday, January 12, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., EST, Virtual

In this workshop, students will consider the essential journalistic step of fact-checking. They’ll explore what it is and how to do it, and they’ll consider wider ethical issues around fact-checking. This virtual workshop will last 90 minutes and will include lecture, practical exercises, and discussion. Students should attend prepared to participate on their laptops. Bio: Danielle Mackey is a journalist. She works part-time at The New Yorker and writes for U.S. and Latin American outlets. She lived for more than a decade in El Salvador, and has often financed her freelancing with fact-checking — and is happy to share the strategy with fellow journalists!

What Are Chatbots Good For (For Journalism)? with Gina Chua
Monday, January 12, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., EST, Virtual

ChatGPT, Claude and other GenAI tools are often — and rightly — derided for their inaccuracies and hallucinations, but what can they do well in a journalistic context, and how can we maximize their advantages and minimize their weaknesses? In this session with Gina Chua, Executive Director of the Tow Knight Center for Journalism Futures. you’ll explore how newsrooms can deploy AI systems — Claude in particular — innovatively and ethically, both to drive efficiencies as well as to develop new capabilities.

AI for Journalists with Jeremy Caplan
Tuesday, January 13, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST, Virtual

Learn how to thoughtfully and responsibly add AI tools to your journalism toolkit. Augment what you can do without compromising your creativity or integrity. See how journalists are using AI to extend their capabilities and to save time for thinking, in-depth reporting, and writing. We’ll look at several newsroom examples and try some hands-on experiments. Bring an open mind for active learning and experimentation. Absolute beginners are welcome, as are those who have done some AI exploration.

Finding Hard-to-find Sources When Covering Big Tech with Tim Marchman
Tuesday, January 13, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST, Virtual

The most important question you should be asking yourself while working on any big story is: How can I prove it? In this online session with WIRED editor Tim Marchman, you’ll learn some surefire ways of finding hard-to-find sources, especially in the tech industry. Marchman has overseen some of the biggest stories of the moment, from the creation of DOGE under Elon Musk to revelations about the government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein materials. Instructor bio: Tim Marchman is the director of science, politics, and security at WIRED; previously he was an investigative editor at VICE News and Gizmodo Media and the editor of Deadspin. He lives in Philadelphia.

How to Pitch to a Podcast with Will Coley
Tuesday, January 13, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. EST, Virtual

Producing a segment or story for an existing podcast or radio show is a great way to experience working with different shops, expand your portfolio and learn in the process. But how can you get shows to buy your story ideas? In this workshop, freelance producer Will Coley will share what he’s discovered so far and share suggestions on where to pitch your stories. Participants will also have the opportunity to swap pitches and get feedback on them. Will Coley is a longtime producer of audio documentaries and podcasts.

Digital Safety with the Freedom of the Press Foundation
Tuesday, January 13, 2:00 p.m – 6:00 p.m. EST, In person (Room 442)

The internet can feel like magic. Without much friction, we can communicate with people all over the world and learn a lot about pretty much any subject. But, particularly for journalists, being able to do all of that comes with inherent vulnerabilities and threats to privacy and security. Join this session to learn ready-to-implement tools for boosting the security of your research, safer ways to communicate with sources, and tactics for securing the data in your life. By the end of our time together, you’ll be equipped to pursue your work with greater peace of mind and significantly enhance your ability to protect the people and things you care about.

How To Pitch a Feature Story with Joseph Hernandez
Wednesday, January 14, 10:00 a.m – 11:30 a.m. EST, Virtual

In this workshop, learn practical tips for writing pitches that lead to published work, and what to expect along the way. We’ll review best practices, how to get noticed, and how to build that elusive editor-writer relationship that results in follow-up assignments. Joseph Hernandez is an associate director at Bon Appétit and previously served as senior editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Chicago Tribune, Thrillist, and Wine Enthusiast. His freelance bylines include Eater, Conde Nast Traveler, Afar, Men’s Health, and others.

Supercharge Your Video Reporting with Emily Holzknecht
Wednesday, January 14, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EST, In person (Room 442)

One of the most essential skills today’s journalists need is the ability to locate archival video material on the internet. In this course, we will look at how to use free resources (such as Archive.org and Factba.se) and digital tools to quickly locate and download soundbites from prominent speakers that can form the basis of a news or multimedia report. We will also discuss technical, ethical and legal considerations (such as fair use) for evaluating material, and best practices for organization and storage. By the end of the workshop students will have the skills to make their own short video composed mostly or entirely of material found online.

How Can Journalists Stay Sane in a World on Fire? with Rebecca Weston and Yessenia Funes
Wednesday, January 14, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, In person (Room 330)

As journalists we are often thrown into situations marked by danger and devastation, whether we are covering a climate disaster or an ICE raid at a local courthouse. Our sources may be living the worst experience of their lives, and audiences are increasingly turning away from the news because it can be so overwhelming. Rebecca Weston, a psychotherapist and co-president of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, and Yessenia Funes, an acclaimed climate journalist, have teamed to create the CARES Media Initiative, to address mental health challenges faced by environmental and climate journalists, especially those from marginalized communities. In this seminar they will address questions such as how journalists can continue to cover stories that are traumatic for us and sources without burning out, and how to center our own emotions as the driving force that animates our coverage. Rebecca and Yessenia bring a climate change lens to these questions but they are directly applicable to journalists covering mass incarceration, gun violence, hunger, and international crises. The CARES Media Initiative has been supported by the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America, the Metcalf Institute at the University of Rhode Island, the Solutions Journalism Network, and the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma.

An Introduction to Visual AI Tools with John Smock
Thursday, January 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST, Virtual

AI tools from Midjourney to D-ID (Canva) are rapidly changing the landscape of visual journalism. Where there is change, there is also opportunity. This hands-on workshop will explore production tools for AI as well as the ethical implications for the journalism workplace. Students will need a laptop or lab computer.

How Cable News Leaders Make Split Second Decisions with Rashida Jones
Thursday, January 15, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST, In person (Room 444)

What are cable news leaders thinking about when they are deciding how to cover some of the thorniest issues of the day? Join Rashida Jones, former president of MSNBC, to discuss how decisions get made at the top. In this interactive seminar, Jones will walk you through two case studies and how she made decisions about what to cover, and how to cover it. We’ll look at mass tragedies and how to approach decisions about what images to show, balancing the public’s right to know with the risk of amplifying trauma or causing harm. She will also share her approach to offering social commentary, balancing creative freedom, public responsibility and ethics under pressure. Participants will have a chance to learn with an expert and practice ethical decision-making and develop frameworks to guide responsible media leadership.

How Do News Start-ups Start Up? And Should You Work For Them? with Ava Seave
Thursday, January 15, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST, Virtual

After the inspirational idea for a new journalism business is conceived what happens next? And then after that? In this session we will examine how new ideas are fleshed out and the many ways they may be funded and launched. We will also consider the difference between working at a brand-new business vs. being employed by a more established company. We’ll review several case histories including Documented, Dynamo and URL-Media.

Writing for a Changing Food World and Food Media World with Ryan Sutton
Thursday, January 15, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST (Room 442)

This in-person session will provide an introduction to basic food journalism skills (including concepts of taste), with an eye towards understanding the rapidly changing food media environment — as we witness the rise of Michelin, 50 Best, The Infatuation, the influencer community, and assorted newsletter products on Substack and elsewhere. The class will also take a brief look at how the new food media space is covering the Trump administration, including the spate of stories and essays on immigration, food price inflation, and steakhouse politics. Ryan Sutton is a contributing restaurant critic for the New York Times and editor of The Lo Times, a prominent food media newsletter. Previously, he was a longtime critic at Bloomberg News and Eater.

Video Documentary Camera Training: Understanding the Basics of How to Use your Documentary Video Camera with Andre Ward & Andrew Shepard
Thursday, January 15, 5:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m. EST, In person (Room 330)

Andre Ward & Andrew Shepard, our resident Production Support members, will guide you through all of the ins & outs of setting up and using your video documentary camera & kit. From understanding all of the function buttons, menu options, and settings on your camera, to learning the proper way to use your tripod and attach your camera to all of its accessories, Andrew and Andre will make sure you understand your Video Documentary camera kit so you are ready to hit the ground running before your first Doc class even starts. This course is great for anyone who wants to understand video cameras in general, but is highly recommended for any student specializing in Video Documentary program at the school as it is what you will be using for the next two semesters to shoot your films.

Comic Journalism: Using Images to Tell High Impact Stories with Medar de la Cruz
Friday, January 16, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. EST, Virtual

In this workshop, led by Pulitzer-prize winning graphic artist Medar de la Cruz, you’ll get a crash course in using comics for journalism. He’ll walk you through how he approaches research, reporting and drawing in his award-winning stories including, “Diary of a Rikers Island Library Worker.” Participants will walk away with ideas of their own and be inspired to embark into their own long-form term journalism projects, along with some simple ways of representing information in visual form, such as collaging, drawing, and using the language of comics to explore topics that resonate most with them.

Video Games, Immersive Exhibitions, Generative A.I.: Covering Emerging Arts and Technology with Chris Ip
Friday, January 16, 12:00 p.m.- 1:30 p.m. EST, (Room 442)

Video games, immersive exhibitions, generative A.I.: Technology is constantly creating new types of art as well as changing existing forms. How do we make sense of the new, applying a critic’s mindset while resisting instinctive idealisation or dismissal? In this class, we’ll examine case studies in arts and technology, pick apart what makes strong coverage, and workshop a few story ideas of our own.

How to Not Get Sued As a Journalist: A Cautionary Tale From William D. Cohan
Friday, January 16, 2:00 p.m.- 3:00 p.m. EST, Virtual

William D. Cohan is a bestselling author of seven non-fiction books and a financial journalist who has covered some of the biggest companies operating around the world, and co-founded his own digital media outlet, Puck. In the fall of 2025, Puck was faced with a defamation lawsuit from a major corporation stemming from his reporting on it. The allegation wasn’t that he got his facts wrong. Rather, the suit alleged, incorrectly, that he had a personal axe to grind from when he worked at Lazard, 20 years earlier. This is the second time Cohan has been sued for defamation. Previously the CEO of a Fortune 500 company sued him personally for a piece he wrote in ProPublica about the CEO, which contributed to the CEO getting fired. Cohan prevailed in the lawsuit in New York State court, after nearly four years, and two appeals. Cohan’s story is a cautionary tale about how this type of a lawsuit might be used to chill press freedom and, in particular, the freedom of the financial press when facing down the corporate sector.

Covering Protests and Civil Unrest with Kate Parkinson
Friday, January 16, 12:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. EST, In Person (Room 444)

A hands-on safety course that prepares students to cover demonstrations confidently, ethically and safely. Learning Objectives: Plan and prepare safely for assignments in protest or civil unrest environments Assess risk, read crowd behavior and make fast, informed safety decisions under pressure Recognize stress and adrenaline responses in yourself and others, using techniques to stay calm and focused