Updated with program dates
A few weeks ago, I started a new role at Poynter as the director of program management. One reason I’m loving it already is that I get a front-row seat to the “Poynter Magic” so many of our program participants experience. The connections, discoveries and sense of belonging are all on display in the training my team produces.
Evidence of that magic is now flooding my email (in a good way!). Here are just a few of the testimonials I’ve received about our most recent programs:
I can confidently say that it was a transformative experience that has had a profound impact on my leadership style and abilities. As a manager in the fast-paced and ever-changing media industry, I’ve always understood the importance of effective leadership. However, this course helped me take my leadership skills to a whole new level. (Lead With Influence)
I feel confident our news coverage will be more ethical and beneficial as a result of this course. (Transforming Local Crime Reporting Into Public Safety Journalism)
It was a win-win experience on multiple levels. … We built enormous goodwill in the Indigenous community, which historically has had bad experiences with the media. We built expertise and confidence in three key members of our staff. We gave readers insight into an issue that had never been covered with such depth. And we have a community event scheduled for next month and more stories beyond that, to keep the momentum going. That’s a powerful investment in journalism. (Beat Academy)
In 2023, Poynter trained more than 44,000 journalists, fact-checkers and citizens — many with stories like these.
As we unveil our first look at 2024 programming, we do so with a bigger team and even bigger ambitions to fuel quality journalism and local media sustainability. Sitara Nieves became vice president of teaching and organizational strategy in April 2023, and three new faculty members joined Poynter throughout the year: Tony Elkins, Fernanda Camarena and Kerwin Speight.
“Going into the new year, there’s so much about Poynter’s impact that I’m excited about,” Nieves said. “Our mission is to support local newsrooms and journalists, and we’re doing that in so many ways in 2024 across craft, leadership, innovation, ethics, AI, and fighting misinformation. We’re also investing in new ways of delivering training, from a robust online certification program for editors as they advance in their careers, to a newsletter course for anyone who wants to rethink their approach to work and life, to workshops designed for and by Spanish speakers.”
Save the dates or apply now for these upcoming Poynter programs.
Transformational change
Public Media Editorial Integrity and Leadership Initiative
9-month fellowship program, online and in-person, St. Petersburg, Florida
Funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, this nine-month fellowship program focuses on editorial standards, leading through change, and innovation. The first cohort of 24 public media journalists kicked off in September 2023, and a second cohort will begin this September. Nieves and Poynter’s Kelly McBride are the lead faculty. You can apply for the second cohort this spring.
Transforming Local Crime Reporting Into Public Safety Journalism
Online group seminar and coaching, March 19-Sept. 17
Transform your newsroom’s reporting on criminal justice and crime during our 24-week online seminar. McBride and Cheryl Thompson-Morton, Black Media Initiative director for the Center for Community Media at the Newmark J-School, will return to lead this program for newsroom teams. Learn more about our approach here. Apply by Jan. 30.
Leadership
Applications are already closed for the three Leadership Academy for Women in Media cohorts and the yearlong Media Transformation Challenge: A Poynter Institute Executive Fellowship. Selected applicants will be announced this year.
Lead With Influence
Online program, Feb. 7-28, June 3-24 or Oct. 9-30
This program, led by Kathy Lu and offered three times in 2024, is for informal leaders who manage big responsibilities but have no direct reports. Apply for the first iteration by Jan. 12.
Essential Skills for Rising Newsroom Leaders
In-person program, St. Petersburg, Florida, May 6-10 or Dec. 2-6
This incredibly popular leadership seminar for new managers will take place twice in 2024. Poynter’s Elkins and Camarena will direct both programs. Apply by March 26 for the May program, or apply by Oct. 22 for the December program.
Leadership Academy for Diversity in Media
In-person program, St. Petersburg, Florida, Sept. 16-24
This is a weeklong seminar that connects and empowers BIPOC journalists to be self-aware managers, visionary leaders and change agents. Elkins will lead the 2024 program. Applications open soon.
Executive Leadership Summit
Fall 2024
This is a three-day gathering designed for top-level media leaders who can set the tone and vision for the future of their enterprise. Dates and application deadlines will be announced in early 2024. See the 2023 program page here.
Business and work
NEW! Work-Life Chemistry
6-week email newsletter course, start anytime after Jan. 9
Ditch work-life balance for a more sustainable approach. Poynter’s Kristen Hare has developed the concept of Work-Life Chemistry over seven years teaching the workshop to thousands of journalists and leaders, and it’s now available for the first time in a six-week email course that starts as soon as you enroll. Enroll now and get your first email right away.
Journalism craft
Poynter ACES Introductory Certificate in Editing
Self-directed course bundle, available now
Distinguish yourself with the industry’s premier editing certificate, updated in 2023. Enroll now.
NEW! Poynter ACES Intermediate Certificate in Editing
Self-directed course bundle, available now
This is a rigorous eight-part certificate program that ranges from ethics to law to tech. Newly revised and updated for 2024, this program gives you the tools to become a world-class editor. Enroll now.
COMING SOON! Poynter ACES Advanced Certificate in Editing
Self-directed course bundle, launching in 2024
The third and most advanced installment of our editing certification program will be released in 2024.
Beat Academy 2024
Webinar series with grant opportunities, Feb. 1-Sept. 26
Beat Academy delivers the latest knowledge that journalists need to cover critical topics of deep importance to their communities, from climate change to democracy, transgender health care to immigration. Through engaging webinars that feature the nation’s leading journalists, experts and thinkers, this webinar series equips journalists with beat expertise, data know-how and excellent local and national sources. Enroll as an individual or a group here.
NEW! Reporter’s Toolkit
Online group seminar, May 7-June 11
Led by Poynter adjunct Tom Huang, this six-week program will equip entry-level reporters with the tools and one-on-one coaching they need to hit the ground running and launch a successful career. Apply by April 28 for this program.
Will Work For Impact: Fundamentals of Investigative Journalism
Online group seminar, September TBD
This popular online group seminar will help you build an investigation, from the seed of an idea to a powerful execution. It will be led by ProPublica deputy managing editor Alexandra Zayas. More details will be announced in 2024. Review the 2023 program here.
Level Up: Critical Skills for Local Reporters
Online program, October TBD
This six-week interactive program will help mid-career reporters grow as investigators and storytellers, as well as manage their careers with savvy. Poynter’s Hare will lead this reporting masterclass. Applications open in 2024. See the 2023 program here.
Power of Diverse Voices: Writing Workshop for Journalists of Color
In-person program, St. Petersburg, Florida, November TBD
One of our hallmark programs, this workshop for BIPOC writers will return in 2024. Huang will lead the group, and applications will open in 2024. Review the 2023 program page here.
New programs for TV journalists and leaders will be announced in 2024, designed by Speight.
International
U.S.-Armenia Professional Partnership in Journalism Program
Journalist exchange program, 2024-2025
With funding from the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan and in partnership with World Learning, Poynter will enable 54 Armenian journalists to visit the United States in a training program to improve their understanding of disinformation, strengthen their reporting skills, and cultivate relationships with U.S. journalists and media outlets. Ten selected fellows will be placed for fellowships with U.S. media organizations for an additional month. Finally, $20,000 in targeted assistance will be awarded to four of the 10 fellows’ media organizations in Armenia to adopt approaches to build resilience to misinformation and promote journalism’s role in a free society. See application information here.
GlobalFact 11
In-person and online program, June 26-28, Sarajevo
The world’s largest fact-checking summit, hosted by Poynter’s International Fact-Checking Network, will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city of Sarajevo in June 2024. See the GlobalFact 10 program page here.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Email info@poynter.org and let us know. We are actively creating new teaching programs and will continue to roll out more training.
