October 17th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
Washington-based broadcast journalists share tips for an industry moving into a social media world
A student print journalist in the audience at the “Broadcast is Not a Dirty Word” MediaFest 25 session admitted that broadcast is a dirty word because he never watches television news. But Cari Hernandez, the news director at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C.,
October 17th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
Washington-based Broadcast Journalists Share Tips for Industry in Social Media World
At the “Broadcast is Not a Dirty Word” session for MediaFest 25*, a student journalist in the audience who traditionally writes admitted broadcast is a dirty word to him because he never finds himself sitting down and watching television. But Cari Hernandez, the news director at WUSA-TV in Washington, D.C.,
October 17th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
Nikole Hannah-Jones, other Black, female journalists discuss young reporters impacting today’s industry
After acknowledging the difficulties facing journalists trying to enter the industry right now, Pulitzer Prize-winning and MacArthur genius grant journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones asked a room full of budding journalists attending MediaFest 25 a simple question. “What else would you rather be doing at this moment?”
October 16th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
Students Share Advice for Creating Podcasts and Curating a Voice
In a packed conference room, two students and an advisor from Mako News at Nova Southeastern University in South Florida presented on how to produce a quality podcast to MediaFest 25 attendees. “I really don’t understand why podcasts got so popular, but I think the really popular ones, like ‘Call Her Daddy,’ really made people want to go into podcasts,” said Jonesia Martimbor, Mako’s radio station manager.
October 16th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
Media-savvy legal associate encourages student journalists to report boldly — but know the law
Marie McMullan, a student press legal associate at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), wants students to feel confident covering contentious topics. McMullan wanted her session, titled “Don’t Get Sued” at MediaFest 25, to help students navigate legal anxieties while maintaining a sense of purpose in their reporting.
October 15th, 2025 • SPJ/MediaFest25
MediaFest 25 director Michael Koretzky Sets Honest, Blunt Tone for 2025 conference
Complicated is the first word MediaFest 25 Convention Director Michael Koretzky used to describe this year’s event. Three partner organizations are hosting the convention: Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), the Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) and College Media Association (CMA). “It’s kinda like asking three friends where they want to go for dinner.