Freedom Forum Marks 25 Years of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 3, 2026)  — Freedom Forum, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all, will host the 25th year of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference from June 21-26, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

The six-day program will bring together 51 high school juniors — one from each state and the District of Columbia — for an immersive journalism experience focused on advancing the next generation of journalists and media leaders. Each Free Spirit Scholar will receive a $1,000 college scholarship and an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital.

Established to honor Al Neuharth, founder of Freedom Forum and USA TODAY, the annual conference is designed to inspire high school juniors to pursue careers in journalism, multimedia storytelling and the media industry. For the past 25 years, the program has served as a launching pad for some of the industry’s leading journalists and media innovators, New York Times Atlanta Bureau Chief Rick Rojas, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter for The Washington Post Isaac Arnsdorf , and sports reporter and YouTuber Joon Lee.

During the conference, students will engage in interactive sessions with leading journalists and media professionals, participate in newsroom visits, explore Washington, D.C., and connect with peers from across the country who share a passion for journalism and multimedia storytelling.

“As we celebrate 25 years of the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, we’re  focused on inspiring the Free Spirit Scholars about their future in journalism,” said Freedom Forum Chair and CEO Jan Neuharth. “Al believed in empowering young people to ‘dream, dare and do,’ and that spirit continues to guide us as we support the next generation of storytellers.”

2026 conference highlights will include:

• First Amendment session: Free Spirit Scholars will build foundational knowledge in “Understanding First Amendment Basics and Countering Common Misconceptions,” led by Freedom Forum Vice President and First Amendment Expert Kevin Goldberg.
• Media criticism deep dive: “The Art of Criticism” will explore how thoughtful critique shapes culture and audiences, featuring former Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema and former Washington Post fashion critic and New York Times contributing opinion writer Robin Givhan.
• Emerging media careers: In “Careers in Podcasting and Audio Journalism,” industry leaders including “Question Everything” host Brian Reed and co-host of “The Press Box” Joel Anderson will discuss storytelling and audience-building in audio.
• Ethics in journalism: “Fair and Balanced? The Challenge of Delivering Unbiased News” will engage students in real-world ethical scenarios with veteran journalist Joie Chen.
• Inside the newsroom: Scholars will participate in a tour of the NBC News Washington bureau and a “Meet the Press NOW” taping and a tour of The Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau.
• Alumni perspectives: “Free Spirit Alumni: Where We Are and What We Have Learned” will feature a panel of leaders including:
  • Allure magazine Editor-in-Chief Jessica Cruel
  • USA TODAY First Amendment Reporter BrieAnna J. Frank
  • The New York Times Atlanta Bureau Chief Rick Rojas
  • Founder and CEO of The Juggernaut Snigdha Sur
• Political reporting panel: “Inside Political Reporting” will highlight the realities of covering Congress and the White House with journalists including The Washington Post’s Isaac Arnsdorf, The New York Times’ Catie Edmondson and White House correspondent for The Star Violet Jira.
• Legacy session: “The Life and Legacy of Al Neuharth” will feature a conversation with Jan Neuharth, Dani Neuharth-Keusch and AJ Neuharth-Keusch.
• Future of media discussion: “How Journalism Is Evolving Across Platforms” will examine digital-first storytelling and new business models with speakers including independent sports journalist Joon Lee, HuffPost deputy editor Philip Lewis and deputy managing editor of The Baltimore Banner T.J. Ortenzi.
• Featured conversation: CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer, the 2026 Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media recipient, will share insights from his career covering politics and global affairs.
• Capstone events: The week concludes with a commencement ceremony and Freedom Forum’s annual Free Expression Awards, honoring the achievements of those who have championed or celebrated free expression and the First Amendment in ways that have inspired others. This year’s recipients are Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and the Committee for the First Amendment.

For more information about the 2026 Free Spirit journalism conference and Free Spirit Scholars, visit FreeSpiritJournalism.org.