NPC Update-1 Podcast

Campaign trains were a major part of political campaigns years ago. Covering whistle-stopping candidates was considered one of the hardest jobs of journalism. In this edition of Update-1, NPC member Edward Segal talks to Broadcast Podcast team member Irv Chapman about his new book, "Whistle-Stop Politics: Campaign Trains and the Reporters Who Covered Them." Segal discusses what it was like for reporters to live and work on trains for days and weeks at a time, how campaign train tours could be hazardous to one's health, and how one reporter impersonated a whistle-stopping presidential candidate. 

Award winning journalist Jen Judson, the 115th president of the National Press Club, is the land warfare reporter for Defense News. Before that she was a reporter at Politico and Inside Defense. In this edition of Update-1, Jen talks with Broadcast Podcast Committee member Lincoln Smith about her career and advocacy for press freedom around the world. She also discusses why the Israel Hamas war has been so deadly for the journalists covering it.

CNBC Washington correspondent Emily Wilkins looks forward to progress on numerous fronts during her upcoming year as president of the National Press Club. In this edition of Update-1, Wilkins speaks with Broadcast/Podcast Team co-chair Adam Konowe about planned enhancements to the Club’s services and physical infrastructure, as well as its relentless commitment to press freedom, including the release of captured journalists around the world. Other topics included media literacy, the rise of generative AI and its impact on journalism, as well as the importance of vigorous, accurate reportage covering all levels of government, not just the White House and Congress.

Dozens of journalists have been killed covering the Israel Hamas war, resulting in what the International Federation of Journalists says is the deadliest conflict ever for media deaths. The Committee to Protect Journalists says so far 85 journalists and media workers have died while covering the war. Why has this war been so deadly for members of the media, and which group has had the most deaths? In this edition of Update-1, Jessica Jerreat, the press freedom editor at Voice of America, talks to Broadcast Podcast Committee co-chair Mike Hempen about why journalists in Gaza face high risks while covering the conflict. They also discuss what can be done to make their jobs safer in the conflict zone. 

Swiss-born Didier Saugy took the reins as National Press Club executive director in June 2023, following a five-year stint as general manager of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong. Since then, the accomplished private club manager, food and beverage director, and executive chef has been considering how to best serve club members and encourage them to spend more time in the facility. In this edition of Update-1, Saugy speaks with Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-chair Adam Konowe about what drew him to Washington, expansion of food service for members, opportunities to make better use of the NPC's space, as well as the importance of media literacy and press freedom during the upcoming election cycle.

Iraq war veteran and author Matt Gallagher has traveled to Ukraine as both a military trainer and as a journalist. That background provides a unique perspective to his reporting. In this edition of Update-1, Gallagher talks with Tom Young of the NPC's Broadcast Podcast Committee about the war in Ukraine and some of the volunteer soldiers he met there.

Is it possible that journalists can be the targets of police raids because they do their jobs too well? That's one of the questions some freedom of the press advocates are asking after an FBI raid in May on the newsroom home of journalist Tim Burke. The FBI raided Burke’s home after he obtained outtakes of Tucker Carlson’s interview with Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) in which Ye made antisemitic and other offensive remarks. The raid prompted more than 50 organizations, including the National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute, to sign a letter that has been sent to the Department of Justice demanding answers about why the government believes Burke's newsgathering broke the law.  In this episode of Update-1, Caitlin Vogus, the deputy advocacy director for the Freedom of the Press Foundation, talks with Broadcast Podcast Committee co-chair Mike Hempen about the details of this case. Since this podcast was recorded, Burke has appealed the decision of the trial court denying his motion for the return of his equipment.

The paramount role of the press in presidential elections is to inform the public about the issues and their voting options, and to act as a watchdog over government officials and candidates for public office. When one candidate for a major political party’s nomination is an incumbent president, do the other candidates in the race fade into the background of press coverage? What happens when a challenger comes from outside the political establishment? One 2024 presidential candidate has been vocal about the lack of mainstream news coverage her campaign has received, and we invited her on to Update-1 to talk about it. Marianne Williamson joins National Press Club Broadcast Podcast member Shannon Fisher to discuss the specific responsibilities of the news media in covering the Democratic Primary race, how Williamson’s candidacy has been handled in the press, and what she thinks needs to change moving forward in terms of how presidential candidates are treated by the media.

Sean Carberry has covered conflict in more than 20 countries, including Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Pakistan, the DRC and Colombia. But it’s his time in NPR’s Kabul, Afghanistan bureau that takes center stage in the new book, Passport Stamps: Searching the World for a War to Call Home. In this episode of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-Chair Adam Konowe asks Carberry what drew him from the comfort of WBUR’s studios in Boston to many of the world’s hottest war zones. Related topics include journalistis competition and camaraderie, working with local fixers, the shock of returning home, mainstream versus trade media, challenges associated with PTSD, plus a commitment to organizations that promote mental and physical health.

In August of 2014, James Foley, a young videographer and journalist with GlobalPost, was killed by ISIS. Foley was covering the conflict in Syria and held hostage for two years before he was beheaded by the terrorist group who brutally showed his murder on video. Shortly after their son’s death, as a tribute to him, Diane and John Foley started the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, to “advocate for the freedom of all Americans held hostage” and wrongfully detained.   Gemma Puglisi, a member of the National Press Club’s Broadcast Podcast Committee, interviews Diane Foley and the work of the foundation as the ninth anniversary of her son’s death approaches. They also discuss Americans still being held hostage overseas including Austin Tice, Wall Street Journal's Evan Gershkovich, as well as others in Iran.

The war in Ukraine has been a major global event for the past 18 months, with far-reaching implications for the future of Europe and the world. But how do non-Western countries see the conflict? In this edition of Update-1, Broadcast Podcast Committee co-chair Mike Hempen talks to National Press Club member Flavius Mihaies, an investigative journalist and food security consultant, about the war and its impact on non-Western nations. They discuss how non-Western countries have been responding to the war, why they’ve taken a more cautious approach to economic and financial sanctions against Russia, and potential long-term effects of the war around the world.

Rev. Russ Ford witnessed 28 executions during his time as chaplain for Virginia's death row. The experience challenged his own faith--but also demonstrated the potential for spiritual growth among the most hardened criminals. Ford's new book, "Crossing The River Styx: The Memoir of a Death Row Chaplain," is a moving work of reportage. Ford and co-author Dr. Todd Peppers discuss the book with Broadcast Podcast Committee member Tom Young in the latest edition of Update-1. This podcast contains graphic descriptions of electrocution and other aspects of prison life. Listener discretion is advised.

Industry analysts often serve multiple roles, providing unique insight to institutional investors, as well as journalists in business and trade media. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Team co-chair Adam Konowe speaks with Sash Tusa of Agency Partners LLC, a London-based firm that provides independent equity research. The interview, recorded on location at the biennial Paris Air Show, also captures trend-related civil and military news from the week-long event, the aviation’s largest industry-focused gathering.

On the eve of the biennial Paris Air Show, the first one in four years due to the pandemic, Peter Bradfield held the 11th annual Aerospace Media Dinner and Awards to recognize excellence in journalism across the industry. The June 18 event attracted approximately 200 attendees to celebrate the winners of 22 categories, including new ones for best space submission and best advanced air mobility submission. In this edition of Update-1, NPC Broadcast/Podcast Team Co-chair Adam Konowe interviews event organizer Peter Bradfield about honored journalists, corporate sponsors and an all-new event planned for 2024 in Germany.

In this edition of Update-1, National Press Club Broadcast Podcast team member Lincoln Smith talks to Dr. Jonathan Ward about Ward's latest book, "The Decisive Decade: American Grand Strategy for Triumph Over China." The book is a call to action for the U.S. in terms of its economic, diplomatic and military actions and ideas. Dr. Ward discusses the role of the free press and media in this modern day contest.  Dr. Ward has advised the U.S. Department of Defense, and has led American companies in the technology, manufacturing and finance sectors. Through his company Atlas Organization, Dr. Ward helps Fortune 500 Companies understand the U.S.-China global competition.