Scratching the Surface*

An American in Mexico

2011-12-31T10:17:00.000-08:00

An experience I had walking across the Mexico-US border from Tijuana to San Diego is one I won’t soon forget. It is a vibrant example how free enterprise works no matter the wealth of the surrounding culture. There were hundreds of people, maybe even a thousand, cued up in line to go through the Customs checkpoint. There were the many Mexicans vying to apply for work permits.
Others, like us, had their papers in order. And there were many others who were hoping to sell to people in line. Among the things seen being sold by the locals were the usual small packets of chewing gum “Chiclet, Chiclet” they call. There were also freshly-made (apparently) potato chips (complete with optional hot sauce or salt added), churros (didn’t seem that fresh) and all kinds of ice cream and candy. There were taco and burrito stands, ipod car chargers, braclets and wallets all for sale, either by cart, at a stand or held by hand.


A man sells candy at the beach in La Mision, Baja, Mexico

Not selling anything, but just hoping for money, were all kind of disabled folks (some of whom were double amputees) as well as a mother and her newborn baby. One of the more poignant moments was spent standing by a woman singing songs over a karaoke machine. She looked to be around 60 years old, and had a sweet, but tired voice. She had a guitar sitting nearby and was selling CDs. She made no eye contact with any of the passersby, that I noticed. But she kept singing, looking off into the distance.
Although the weather was warm, many were dressed for cold, perhaps because that was all they owned. The cost to use the bathroom, by the way, was 50 pesos or $3.
Having finally crossed through the checkpoint, one is dramatically reminded why being an American is a blessing.

A Look Back at The National Press Club in 2011

2011-12-30T22:31:00.000-08:00

Originally posted December 28, 2011 @press.org
As we prepare to close the books on my NPC presidency and celebrate the inauguration of Theresa Werner, let's take a look at 2011 and some of the more interesting or amusing moments at our historic Club. In no particular order, here we go.
1) World Press Freedom Day is celebrated at The National Press Club. This was a remarkable event, held in the United States for the first time in the history of the event. Thanks to the hard work of Executive Director Bill McCarren and 103rd NPC President Alan Bjerga, we held the UNESCO Cano World Press Freedom Prize ceremony. It was an honor to preside over the event and meet the many inspiring delegates from around the world. This underscored our organization's commitment to press freedoms.
2) Speakers Luncheon with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Shortly after this Luncheon, the central bank decided to hold regular press briefings. This marked evolution of the Federal Reserve's efforts toward transparency.
3) Herman Cain Speakers Luncheon. We had a bit of good fortune with this one. His appearance came the morning after the news broke regarding allegations of impropriety. Someone counted 40 television cameras in the room. A fair amount of attention has also been focused on Cain's singing at the end of the appearance, which I prompted after an earlier singing performance at the Omaha Press Club. Just one version of this on YouTube has had more than 100,000 hits.
4) Fourth Estate Award winner Jim Lehrer. I'll never forget the reaction of the longtime PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer when I called to inform him that he was our selection committee's choice, asking if he were willing to accept it. I could tell he was truly touched. If you saw his memorable, emotional acceptance speech at the end of October, you know what I mean. He kindly agreed also to serve as honorary Chair of our annual Book and Author Fair. Sometimes referred to as the "Dean of presidential debate moderators", he couldn't have been nicer or a classier act.
5) Richard C. Hottelet receives presidential citation at NPC Awards night. The last of the surviving "Murrow Boys" at CBS News, we had a wonderful multimedia presentation before handing him the trophy. It included audio of his World War II broadcasts, imagery from the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Normandy. After getting a standing ovation, he walked up to the podium and thanked the audience. Then, he said "I just have one thing to say, I tried". Mr. Hottelet brought the house down with that succinct and humble speech. Everyone in the room seemed to love it. It was a lesson in speech making that many of us should emulate.

My hope for 2012 -- understanding technology's limits

2011-12-27T14:48:00.000-08:00

For most Americans, access to information, and technology facilitating that access is a given. How is it then, that it seems like a tremendous challenge to attain greater knowledge? Living around Washington, I regularly see people driving poorly, with a cell phone affixed to their ears. People walk onto elevators looking only at a mobile device, ignoring the person standing right beside them.

Walking down the street, or through an airport, people are checking their social media, or status updates, without being aware of their surroundings. There have been numerous reports lately where people are having new iPhones stolen right out of their hands, oblivious to the threats approaching them on the street. One can imagine someone checking to see what the weather is on a mobile device, while standing outside.

We all are working to adapt to the amazing changes in technology that surround us. It is a challenge. There's a learning curve to understanding the new GPS in a car, on a cable set-top box or included in a new mobile phone. But assimilating that technology into the human experience is something else completely. By the way, I love new gadgets and apps as much as the next person. But I worry sometimes that we've lost focus and connections with one another.

My prayer for the year ahead is that we remember that none of this technology ultimately has much value if we fail to understand we need each other to make our communities and our greater society work. There's no app for that.

If we strive only for improved technology, but accept diminished human relations, we've failed.

(Do you have some ideas how we can both embrace technology and others at the same time? Feel free to share them in the comments section.)

A Professional Shaver?

2011-12-18T20:02:00.000-08:00

Yes, hard to believe. But a number of years ago I was paid by Gillette to shave my face. True story. And in recent times, I've become something of a shaving enthusiast. It has gotten to the point where I get a shave from a barber as often as once a week when I have time(on Saturday). A strange tale how it got to this point. But I really do have some advice for my male friends who scrape their faces with razor blades on a regular basis.

Getting the "job"

It was around 20 years ago that I read a local weekly paper when Jeanne and I were living in Gaithersburg. There was an ad calling out in the classifieds "male shavers wanted". Signifying that it was legitimate was the note saying it came from the "Gillette Research Institute", which was right across the major road from where we lived at the time. I decided to check it out.
Turns out, they used to test on animals, but the protestors put a stop to that. Ironically, it was okay to test on humans.

What resulted was that I was paid $75 a week for about a year or so to shave in their lab. They were trying all kinds of products, from razors, to creams and aftershaves, some of which eventually came to market. They'd have us rate the products and observe whether we had irritation or a good outcome. We could do it any time of day, which good because I was working all kinds of shifts back then.
But I learned that how you treat your face makes a big difference on the quality of the shave.

Back to the days of the Old West

I thought getting razor shaves was a thing of the past. But a while back, in the course of doing some research about new businesses, I found out about a place close to where we live now, where one can get haircuts and shaves at a reasonable price, from my point of view. I'd never had a straight edge razor shave before. So, I decided to take what I learned at work about the business and try it out as a consumer.
Between the steam applied to the face to soften it up, the hot towel, pre-shave oil, the straight edge effect and the great after-shave treatment, I learned that a 20-minute long shave on a Saturday is a wonderful way to relax.

Making cheap pre-shave oil

If there's one key ingredient that sets the "professional" shave experience apart from what most guys have seen all of our lives, it is the pre-shave oil applied to the face. That comes before shaving cream. It is amazing how it prevents the burning sensation that most of us have come to expect. The best thing of all, you can make it at home at low cost.
I combine about 35 percent grapeseed oil, a little bit of lemon oil (obtained from a spice store), about 30 percent lemon olive oil and the remainder is castor oil. It is mixed and placed in a small plastic spray bottle. The castor oil makes the liquid a bit more substantial. Yes, it is historically regarded as a laxative and you might feel funny about buying it from the drug store, but who cares. It might cost about $20 to get all of the ingredients together at first, but you have the basics to provide a refill to the small plastic bottle several times later.

Once you've applied the oil to all of the face and neck that you will be shaving, you'll easily notice the difference after the blade has done its work. Fancy stores sell this stuff for more than $20 per bottle. By making it, you'll save a lot and really improve the shaving experience.

So there you have it, from a one-time shaving professional!

2011-12-18T06:38:00.002-08:00

A quick note about our recent NPC election

Originally posted December 14, 2011

As you know, we've just completed one of the more remarkable Club elections in some time. We had an unusual high level of participation, both in terms of the vote count and the number of candidates.
So, if you had anything to do with any of that, whether as a voter, or a candidate, I thank you. This involvement is a positive sign regarding the energy among our membership. Whether you voted for the victorious candidates or not, I hope you will agree that it was a robust process. We had two debates, both of which were recorded on video, to ensure candidates had wider audiences, including our many non-resident members. The candidates reached out to a variety of news bureaus to make their cases. We also worked to ensure the vote counting process was credible, including with the help of press gallery staff from Capitol Hill.
I'm also mindful that it is not easy losing an election. I have personal experience with that myself because I lost my first run for the Board of Governors in the late 90s. But taking the elevator downstairs afterward, one of our wise former presidents, David Hess, urged me to become more involved in the committee structure, to learn more about the Club and the membership. I'm convinced that my losing that race was the best thing that could have happened. I ended up serving as Chair of the Newsmakers Committee for four years before running again, and I did win a seat on the Board of Governors after that. I enjoyed the time working with the committee tremendously. It provided great experience that better prepared me for my later work, including as president.
The incoming leadership is well prepared to do important work in the days and months ahead. And I won't be going away. All former presidents serve in a non-voting role on the Board of Governors. Let's wish all the best to our 105th president, Theresa Werner, along with all the other future and continuing leaders of the Club. And, again, thank you for your membership and participation.
We can be thankful that more than a century after its founding, the National Press Club remains vibrant and successful.

2011-12-18T06:38:00.000-08:00

On objectivity, fairness and NPC Luncheon audiences

Originally posted November 1, 2011

A note about journalistic objectivity, which I take quite very seriously. And I know it is an issue of concern to our Club members as well as the general public.
On occasion, we will have an NPC Luncheon where the audience is partly comprised of guests of members, who are not journalists. While our Club constitution requires that a majority of our members are in the Journalist category, we have many wonderful members who are in the Communicator category. They are not bound by the same professional framework as journalists.
The issue of composition our audience comes into play, when broadcast viewers and listeners hear applause during a political speech and wonder what's going on. The answer is, it isn't mainstream journalists who are offering applause during a politically-charged speech. A funny line from an entertainer is a different story. We might laugh or applaud there.
I had a few e-mails sent to me in the past 24 hours kindly inquiring whether our journalists were biased, because they heard applause during Republican Herman Cain's speech. The quick answer is "no." The same would have been true during any number of political or issue-oriented speeches throughout our history.
To address such concerns, this is why every introduction to a speaker, political or not, includes a line that notes our audience includes members of the general public.
So, if you hear applause, it is not a sign of a lack of journalistic objectivity. Similarly, this year we added a line to the intro to note that someone's presence at the head table does not signify or imply an endorsement. It is important to know during the political season, most of all.
Objectivity and fairness are critically important to our profession and our special privilege as journalists. These mandates are always on the top of my mind as a journalist, including while serving as your NPC president.

2011-12-18T06:37:00.001-08:00

Challenges for everyone managing the digital transition

Originally posted October 17, 2011

Many people love their technology, including mobile phones, iPads and other tablets and their laptop computers. Does anyone love their desktop? Not sure about that.
Having just spent a week in my native Kansas, speaking with groups and individuals around the University of Kansas, it became clear to me that the tremendous shifts in technology we’re all experiencing are also causing more than just a little stress. It reminds me of the book “Future Shock” written back in 1970 by futurist Alvin Toffler, who was credited for coining the term “information overload”. He saw a lot of this coming.
Where’s the stress occurring? All over. It is in the heartland, just as much in our cities.
It is certainly among the young journalism students, who are trying to anticipate where the next jobs will be. They wonder whether there will be enough of those jobs. These questions are being asked among those interested in news as well as strategic communications and public relations. Given the loss of jobs among traditional news outlets and elsewhere over the past decade, the reasons for concern are real.
There’s stress among consumers of news. People are worried about the viability of their hometown newspapers and broadcast outlets, wondering who will monitor members of Congress, leaders at the Statehouse and local city commission.
Managing the emerging technologies, finding the right apps and learning how to use them is another issue requiring adaptability. There was an active discussion among members of a group of graduate students, with whom I met, whether the tablet computer is as universally capable as we think. They debated how it stands up to the hype. Some thought it is fine for watching movies and playing games, but not so good for managing documents or creating content.
Worry extends to some of my long-time friends in the Midwest, in journalism-related professions. Will they have job security? Are they doing the right things to anticipate demand as more users migrate to the high-tech gadgets now popular, leaving analog products behind? One friend is working with a new business model that doesn’t take advertising or subscriptions, but relies on funding. Another friend, now with a smaller newspaper group, is seeing withering advertising revenues, coupled with shaky paid circulation for weekly publications.
Professors are always discussing how best to train these young people, as rapid changes are occurring in the workplace. There’s agreement basic skills are just as important as ever. People are consuming more media and information, but that doesn’t appear to be creating better writers.
I reminded the students that this is a time of tremendous opportunity. There are many winners, as well as losers, amid these shifts. Some of the easy to peg winners are speaking at The National Press Club this year, including Harvey Levin of TMZ.com and Arianna Huffington. They saw the digital train coming down the tracks.
Entrepreneurial instincts are urgently needed within existing enterprises, as well as for creation of the information providers that are still to come. Better storytellers, presenters, editors, producers and photographers remain in demand in the news business. An app has not been created to make those human-required skills obsolete, not yet anyway.
I’m grateful for the wonderful hospitality that was universally displayed by the people at the University and around Lawrence during my visit. It was refreshing to see the panoramic landscapes and massive cloud formations, all offset by premature fall coloring brought on by a dry summer. But it was most heartwarming to see the enthusiastic, bright and kind people where I once lived.

2011-12-18T06:36:00.000-08:00

What “the most trusted man in America” found at the National Press Club

Originally posted August 30, 2011

There are many ways for our members to derive tremendous value out of the National Press Club. And the reasons to be a member vary among individuals, depending on their needs and interests, of course. As we try to fulfill those interests, one of the biggest challenges for an NPC president is to work to ensure that each of our more than two dozen member-populated committees are vibrant.
Beyond the committee activities, there's the wonderful service provided by our restaurants and bar, our library and our fitness center. I've come to appreciate that there's a learning curve for new members who are trying to understand all of their options.
Those options have changed quite a bit over the years. And that's exemplified by a wonderful story told by the journalist once called "the most trusted man in America."
There are few broadcast journalists, living or dead that I respected more than the late Walter Cronkite of CBS News. Like me, he was a Midwesterner. He had wire service roots and seemed omnipresent as broadcast media came of age. He covered World War II, the Kennedy Assassination and Apollo 11's moon landing. He would sign off his popular newscasts with the trademark line, "And that's the way it is."
Under 1973 President Don Larrabee, he was also the first winner of our Fourth Estate Award having been an NPC member since 1948. Sadly, Cronkite died two years ago. Don, by the way, remains a treasured active member of the Club.
The Reliable Source bar and restaurant are no less significant contributors to our members' experiences today. But we have become a bit more systematic in providing professional training and other professional benefits to our journalist and communicator members.
Examples include our Journalism Bootcamp or the numerous other classes we provide at low or no additional cost to members on things like video editing, writing for the Internet, photography software, editorial writing and overall career coaching.
To celebrate the legacy of Cronkite and other great journalists, our next Fourth Estate Award dinner is set for Oct. 28. Jim Lehrer, the longtime host of the PBS Newshour, will be roasted that evening.
In the meantime, you can still have a great time in the Reliable Source, and maybe even pick up a news tip, word of a job opening or just some juicy gossip.
"And that's the way it is."

2011-12-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Tools change, the rules do not

Originally posted July 10, 2011

People often ask me about change in the journalism industry. There’s no denying that change is a constant. Professionals and organizations are challenged to embrace it.
Thinking about how things were at my first job at a radio station in Coffeyville, Kansas drives that point home. We had no computers, only manual typewriters, analog telephones with dials, reel-to-reel and cassette tape recorders and played 33 1/3 and 45 rpm records for music on-air. All machinery that is obsolete today. Good work was done there, but with different tools, adhering to core principles of news gathering, which remain just as relevant now.
Today, we have social networking, video editing and audio recording on laptops with mobile phones and Internet access that link us to newsrooms. Whereas employment in the news business seemed secure years ago, that too has been turned upside down by the digital shift and other catalysts.
Lifestyles have changed too. Colleagues are focused on fitness, most don’t smoke and many are raising families in households where both spouses work. The 24/7 news cycle has also changed things tremendously, with consumers wanting updates on demand and journalists under stress to meet that need. Where some of our predecessors could mark time with the luxury of a far-off deadline, those days are largely gone.
But it is worth taking stock of what hasn’t changed. The core values in the journalism industry are intact, reflected in the excellent array of work seen in this year’s National Press Club awards, just announced.
For our members, it is worth remembering that our reputation as an organization is also strong beyond the Beltway, across the nation and around the globe. As just one demonstration of that, it was a great thrill calling some of our award winners, telling them that they’d won and hearing their happy reactions. I also see this reputation reflected when people from other states and countries visit the NPC, or when other clubs seek reciprocal arrangements with us.
When someone does suggest that technology has changed the rules of good reporting, I’d tell them that whether you are writing for the Internet, for television or radio, or for Twitter, the same time-tested framework still applies. Strive mightily to keep personal bias or commercial interest from affecting the work. We must treat the end user (readers, viewers, listeners, etc.) with respect. And remember that it isn’t an accident that freedom of the press is protected by the First Amendment. There’s information that people absolutely need to know, and there are things that they want to know.
Without an engaged and vibrant news media, however it is comprised across many media and forms, there is high risk that governments run unchecked. Unfortunately we’ve seen all too often how tyrannical leaders seek to hobble reporters when those authorities want to unreasonably perpetuate their own power, at the expense of others.
We can adapt to the changes, while remembering that tradition in our Club and in our industry is important. Through all of the shifts, great work abounds in our profession. I hope you’ll join in celebrating the best of journalism when we hold our NPC awards dinner on Aug. 10 and our Fourth Estate Award, honoring Jim Lehrer on Oct. 28.

2011-12-18T06:33:00.000-08:00

The social side of The National Press Club in the 21st century

Originally posted June 7, 2011

NPC President Mark Hamrick, International Correspondents Chair and Club Treasurer Myron Belkind, and Austrian Ambassador, Dr. Christian Prosl.

One of the things that makes the National Press Club unique stems from its genesis more than a century ago as a place where journalists shared the company of one another. Many things have changed since those early days. Journalists, and other professionals, face constant pressure to produce. For those with families, there are added demands on time.
With people working hard, it might seem the social activities of the Club stand at risk. My sense, however, is that these challenges demand that we all think more strategically about how we spend our time. And here the NPC presents great value.
An example is the new program begun recently, called "Meet the Press Club", at the suggestion of member Suzanne Struglinski. Having migrated from professional journalist to communicator, she told us that we should provide an informal mixer that brings together members. It would also present an opportunity for participation by those unable to make the kind of investment needed to serve one of our more than two dozen committees.
So, that's what we did in the McClendon Room recently and it appeared to be a great success. There were about 50 people, most of whom didn't know one another before the event. We'll do it again July 13. If you are interested in attending, please drop a line to Sarahanne Driggs of our Membership Department at sdriggs@press. org. There's a cash bar, held during "Happy Hour."
Suzanne brought the idea forward at one of our "Dinner with the President" gatherings earlier this year. That's where NPC members have been providing me with valuable feedback about how they think things are going. It has been helpful for me to break outside our conversations among members of the Board of Governors and our many committee leaders. Thanks for all of our Membership staff, also including Havilah Ross and Melinda Cooke for bringing this together so quickly and effectively.
Another example how this can work was demonstrated this past week with a reception, discussion and meal shared at the Austrian Embassy. Our International Correspondents Committee, led by Club Treasurer Myron Belkind, organized this lovely evening hosted by Dr. Christian Prosl, the Austrian Ambassador to the U.S. Several dozen NPC members were on hand to discuss Austria, the EU, and world affairs. The event, free to members, shows once again that membership provides unique access and experiences.
The committee's next such visit is set for Kazakhstan Embassy Night from 6:30pm to 8pm June 28. These are open to all NPC members, but reservations are required, please.
Another way we're working to affirm the value of membership is through our communications efforts. Our Publications Committee, led by Mark Schoeff, has made a number of improvements to our email product known as "The Wire". With the help of our staff, most notably Ryan Howell, we're also producing a spin-off called "The Weekly Wire" available to members at the front desk of the Club. If you are interested in picking up a copy, be sure to ask one of our friendly staffers at the desk adjacent to the lobby. There are some members who don't use computers on a regular basis and are looking to be kept up-to-date about our many activities. We're grateful for that!
A particularly successful venture this year has been our NPC softball team, which has an 8-2 record after defeating teams from The Washington Post and National Journal. The team, coached by John Domen, competes in the Metropolitan Media Softball League. Thanks to John for bringing new vitality to the co-ed team! That's socializing with an added sweat component!
Also on communications, you'll also find that we're bringing back the dial-up phone line that provides information on upcoming Club events. Our Broadcast Committee will be lending the voice talent for the recording. More information on that later.
Between email, www.press.org, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, the social side of the Club has taken on technological dimensions that couldn't have been foreseen just a few years ago. The electronic aspects of communication supplement, but cannot replace, real world face-to-face interaction.
We're a Club that serves many needs among diverse individuals and personalities. It is that mix that makes us strong and keeps things interesting. Thank you so much for your continued membership and for contributing to the congenial clubhouse spirit that affirms our place as "The World's Leading Professional Organization for Journalists."

2011-12-18T06:32:00.000-08:00

For Journalists, the Best of Times, the Worst of Times

Originally posted May 12, 2011

I was having a 45-minute long conversation in the NPC president's office recently with a young man named Mukesh and one of his fellow countrymen, both journalists. Mukesh works in television news in Pakistan and had been on an academic fellowship in the U.S. He told me about having been detained in his country for four months just for practicing his craft. Another Pakistan-based peer was killed during this time, he told me.
I had the opportunity to meet Mukesh after presiding over the final session of World Press Freedom Day. This phenomenal three-day event had its concluding prize-awarding at the National Press Club. It had never been held in the U.S. before and the organizers decided this session would be held at the NPC. Mukesh, who had a gentle smile and wise eyes came up to me after the prize ceremony to ask to have his photo taken with me. He then described his horrific experience. A number of people from abroad told me about their similar challenges and travails while reporting. It was at once deeply touching and humbling. I did my best to encourage them, telling them that we will never forget their plight, that the National Press Club will stand behind them. Even then, it felt like the words were not adequate.
Only a few days before this, I had a similarly exciting, but completely different experience, attending the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. This is at the other end of the spectrum. Washington's equivalent of Oscar Night, complete with black tie and gown, plenty of food and drink, and something new in recent years, an abundance of entertainment-world celebrities.
It is amazing to see all of the famed entertainers and high-profile politicians in attendance, while enjoying the company of dressed-up friends and colleagues. And, I had the good fortune to continue on to one of the glitzy after-parties. A star-studded, dazzling night, to be sure.
These events were otherwise not parallel and unrelated, but coinciding so closely in my life, I was struggling to process how they co-exist. As a journalist based in the U.S., I've had the great privilege of almost always enjoying safe passage. Over the past decade and a-half, my beat has been business and financial news, not war zones. Compared to others around the world, American journalists generally have it pretty good. But we can use this advantage to motivate ourselves in a positive way. Given this opportunity, we must not forget the responsibility to stand behind people like Mukesh. When he's back in Pakistan, he'll be working in a country where he tells me the profession of journalism is on the rise. Journalism schools are helping to put people on the path of their chosen profession, even when they risk being killed on the job. He tells me that aspiring journalists there don't worry much about death.
That's why we'll continue to issue statements reminding governments that they owe journalists safe passage. When they detain our colleagues, we'll draw attention to their plight. And if you doubt that it matters, I'll show you one of the emails we were sent from a foreign government in response to one of our statements. Or, I can tell you about the phone call from the friend of the family of freelance journalist Matthew Van Dyke missing in Libya, desperately asking for help in drawing attention to his plight.
Americans who have died fighting for our freedoms, as well as fellow journalists who've fought the fight in other settings, deserve nothing less. Yes, we should and will continue to enjoy the creature comforts of the National Press Club, as well as the congenial company of our fellow NPC members. But we also must remember we have important work to do.

2011-12-18T06:30:00.001-08:00

Timeless Journalism Values - what David Broder and Jim Lehrer have in common

Originally posted April 11, 2011

We live in interesting times, to say the least.
We've witnessed a rolling tide of revolution half a world away, made possible by social networking technology. At the core of that human mobilization is information.
The value of good, accurate information, the kind that journalists find and help provide, has also been underscored by other recent crises, including the horrifying disaster in Japan.
As the media landscape has become increasingly fractured, our National Press Club remains a constant. And as an institution, we stand strong in affirming press freedoms and core journalism values around the globe.
In that regard, I had the opportunity to speak with two of the late David Broder's sons as they prepared for a memorial service in our ballroom. They said their father had few dying requests. One of them was that the service be held at the National Press Club. It was that important to him. The service itself was quite moving, attended by many top names in journalism and the political world alike. Vice President Biden said of Broder that he cared about not only what he wrote of Biden, but also what he thought of Biden. During the speech, Biden spoke emotionally, uncharacteristically quietly, and in a remarkably personal way. I’ve seen a lot of speeches by politicians. I will never forget this one.
In subsequent days, The Washington Post's own ombudsman, in a tribute to Broder, referred to the NPC as a "shrine to the First Amendment".
We take that mission seriously.
That's why we're pleased to serve as host to World Press Freedom Day next month. It is the first time in the event's history that it is being held in the U.S. And it is being held in our facility.
Similarly, we're affirming those values as we prepare to hand the NPC's Fourth Estate Award to Jim Lehrer of PBS NewsHour in Oct. The values that both Broder and Lehrer have embodied are timeless and necessary for the health of our democracy and for the effective functioning of governments everywhere. Broder won the same award in 1988.
In 2009, Lehrer who has been called the "dean" of presidential debate moderators spelled out some rules of what he called "MacNeil/Lehrer journalism". They are worth repeating:

Do nothing I cannot defend.
Cover, write and present every story with the care I would want if the story were about me.
Assume there is at least one other side or version to every story.
Assume the viewer is as smart and as caring and as good a person as I am.
Assume the same about all people on whom I report.
Assume personal lives are a private matter, until a legitimate turn in the story absolutely mandates otherwise.
Carefully separate opinion and analysis from straight news stories, and clearly label everything.
Do not use anonymous sources or blind quotes, except on rare and monumental occasions.
No one should ever be allowed to attack another anonymously.
And, finally, I am not in the entertainment business.

Working journalists, whether writers, or managing editors, should remember values like those put into practice by David Broder and Jim Lehrer. We can also celebrate them at the NPC's Fourth Estate Award dinner later this year. I hope you can join us.

2011-12-18T06:29:00.001-08:00

In praise of our volunteers and one in particular

Originally posted March 20, 2011

The operation of the National Press Club would not be possible without the involvement of members who volunteer their time. Among our more than two dozen member-powered committees, there are Chairs, Vice Chairs and any number of project managers and brain stormers. These include former NPC presidents as well as new members and everyone in-between.
One of the most productive of these is hard-working Newsmakers Committee member Peter Hickman. Next year, he will have worked on this club-branded news conference series for two decades. By his own count, he has organized more than 1,000 Newsmakers. That includes 146 heads of state or government, or other political structures.
How does a Newsmaker differ from our Speakers Luncheons? For one, Newsmakers can be held just about any time of day when people can attend. They are open to National Press Club members and the working press. There's no lunch involved. It follows a news conference format, as opposed to the Luncheons, where the NPC president usually acts as host, asking the questions.
I first came to know Peter when I served as Newsmakers Chairman myself years ago and enjoyed that responsibility for four years.
Peter says the biggest crowds he remembers were for PLO chief Yasser Arafat and actor Sean Connery. Connery was talking about his Scottish heritage, but people wanted just to see the actor best known for his work as 007 up close. Peter says mostly women attended the Connery event, not surprisingly.
One of his Newsmakers featured 10 prime ministers at once. Another had three presidents, from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Peter has had a fascinating life, having worked as a navy journalist on a battleship in the Korean War theater. Hailing from Texas, Peter went on to work as a Foreign Service Information Officer with the former U.S. Information Agency, beginning in the late 50s, serving in Vietnam, Japan, Panama and Washington. Later, he worked in the former Office of Economic Opportunity as a special assistant to then-Director Donald Rumsfeld. Peter retired from government in 1988 and went into freelance writing and consulting. Fortunately for us, he decided to join the National Press Club and help make the Newsmakers venue one of our most visible.
This is just one very good example our members make the club a shining success, with stellar execution by our top-notch staff.
We are also thankful for the leadership this year of Newsmakers Committee Chair Ron Baygents and Vice Chair Patti Giglio.
So, here's a big thank you, to Peter Hickman and all of our others members who volunteer. I'm extremely grateful for all of your contributions, hard work and positive spirit!

2011-12-18T06:28:00.000-08:00

Why We Rush Toward Danger

Originally posted February 23, 2011

The quickly-changing turn of events in the Middle East has affirmed the value of access to information in a free society. As people have yearned for freedom, journalists who have rushed toward danger in the pursuit of the story have all-too-often faced attacks. Whether it was the brutal attack on CBS News correspondent Lara Logan, or lesser-followed or reported instances where journalists were detained in Iran, authorities or other unknown entities sought to cut the free flow of information. They have hoped to chill the activities of pro-democracy demonstrators and to stop revolution in in its tracks.
As the National Press Club's statements decrying the mistreatment of journalists have drawn wide attention in print and on-the-air, a few key points have become quite clear. One is that the public is eager to understand more about the perils journalists are facing. Another is that many people are simply not aware of the extent of risk our reporter colleagues are facing around the world. As journalists, we need to do a better job talking about these life-threatening challenges. That's because many consumers of information tend to take it for granted, until that access is interrupted. As journalists have come under attack, it has been dramatically demonstrated that newsgathering is not always easy or safe. While the traditional business models in the news business have been turned upside down, the need for credible information remains unchallenged.
Take a look at some of the figures provided by our friends at Reporters Without Borders. They count 57 journalists killed in 2010 because of their activities. These were in countries ranging from Afghanistan to Yemen. Most of us will not know the victims' names. And more journalists will die, or will be injured, while in pursuit of the story just as certainly as new stories will unfold.
In the meantime, the National Press Club will not forget their plight. To the contrary, we will work to underscore these sacrifices.

2011-12-18T06:27:00.000-08:00

Setting a high standard

Originally posted February 7, 2011

We've had a remarkable series of events recently at The National Press Club, reinforcing our standing as "the world's leading professional organization for journalists". This sets us up for more progress and excitement in the year ahead.
The events were book-ended by the NPC inaugural gala, where President Barack Obama appeared via taped video statement and by the well-attended and heavily reported appearance by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.
While we had sought the video statement months before the gala was held, it came together just a day before we saw it. Inaugural organizers, including our staff, did an excellent job keeping the secret so it would have maximum impact, most of all on me. As it was shown, it took a few minutes for me to understand what was really happening, beginning with President Obama's memorable line, "From one president to another....". I had high expectations for the inaugural, and they were exceeded in nearly every way imaginable.
Thanks to my long-time colleague at The Associated Press, Mark Smith, a former president of The White House Correspondents' Association, for his masterful effort in getting the Obama video completed. I'm also grateful to our NPC Director of Broadcast Operations, Vija Udenans, for her work on it. For many years, she worked as a senior producer for ABC News covering The White House and is a new member of our NPC professional team.
As a follow-up, I have written a letter to President Obama to thank him for his statement. And, taking it one step further, we’ve invited him to address our Speakers Luncheon venue in person. In my letter, I noted that many American presidents have appeared or visited the NPC over the years. It would also be fitting if he chose to affirm our First Amendment freedoms since the U.S. is hosting World Press Freedom Day this year. This special day's events will be held at The National Press Club in May.
We do hope the president accepts our invitation to speak.
Another remarkable day occurred as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke spoke at an NPC luncheon, at my invitation. The event had a huge amount of news coverage. There were as many television cameras as could be accommodated, including for live coverage.
I felt it was important to begin the Q-and-A section of the luncheon with issues relating to the central bank's transparency and whether it might hold regular news conferences. Chairman Bernanke said the Fed is reviewing its options, including more opportunities for direct access for reporters. Most of the questions that followed were necessarily related to the economy and the Fed's monetary policy.
Given our unique standing, we must lead the discussion on issues relating to journalism and freedom of the press. That's why we issued a statement condemning the Egyptian government for its crackdown on reporters. Since then, there have been reports that the Egyptian reporter shot during the unrest has died. The White House has referenced "very disturbing reports" of "systematic targeting" of journalists in Egypt.
This has been an incredible month amid the NPC's storied history. Between our top-notch staff, our wonderful members and good friends, and we will continue to work hard to keep the positive momentum going this year.

2011-12-18T06:24:00.001-08:00

Bridging the gap between tradition and change

Originally posted January 21, 2011

As I look out on the opportunities and the challenges facing our Club and our professions, I first want to thank our members for giving me the honor of serving as the 104th president of The National Press Club. Also, I would not be able to do it without the support of my family and my employer, The Associated Press, for which I'm grateful.
Preparing for my duties, I've been meeting with people who have a great interest in what we do here. That includes our members, Club officers, former presidents and top-notch staff. While there are a variety of views on what we should do and how we should do it, one point is affirmed by everyone with whom I've spoken. People are very passionate about the Club and want us to take special care to ensure that it has a strong future.
In that regard, I'm grateful for the strong leadership shown by my predecessor, Alan Bjerga, as well as the other presidents before him. That includes our most senior living former president, John Cosgrove, who was inaugurated 50 years ago. Just days after John F. Kennedy was himself inaugurated as President, he showed up for John Cosgrove’s inaugural party to wish him well. It is easy to understand why he and others who've long been Club members feel as passionately as they do.
Since we have members of all ages, it is worth noting that we have a growing Young Members Committee in the Club, led this year by Tim Young. They too are very enthusiastic. I’m thankful for Tim’s good start with Young Members. You'll be hearing more about the activities they have planned this year.
You might wonder about my own priorities for the coming year. At the top of the list is strengthening communications to our members and the rest of the world. That’s one of the reasons why I’m writing this post. We have a newly energized and enlarged Publications team, led by Mark Schoeff. They are producing The Wire, our regular e-mail newsletter for members. You can expect to see a number of enhancements there, including attention devoted to our rich Club history. I’m also asking our NPC Committees to be mindful of the need to contribute to www.press.org and The Wire.
We’re starting a new Diversity committee, headed by Greg Mott of Bloomberg. It will reach out to a variety of groups in journalism involved with issues of diversity and inclusion. This can only enhance our already strong position in the industry and should also help us to make an appeal to potential new members who aren’t yet familiar with our story.
The National Press Club stands at the unique intersection of professional and social activities woven together by news and communications. Because of our rich history and a unique business model, we provide tremendous value to our members. Working with my fellow officers and members of the Board of Governors, I can promise that we'll be pay a great deal of attention to ensure that value and good service is there.
Amid the economic downturn and the separate volatile changes in journalism, the Club has thrived. Still, the pace of technological and economic change shows no sign of decelerating. We must continue to be vigilant to ensure the proper focus at the Club.
In the meantime, let us also remember to enjoy and engage in the special spirit fellowship our Club has to offer. The original founders of the Club would have wanted it that way.

Visiting Ben's Chili Bowl

2010-05-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

I had the great pleasure of meeting and interviewing Nizam B. Ali, son of the founder of Ben's Chili Bowl. The business, 52 years old, has been energized by the visit in January 2009 by then President-elect Barack Obama and more recently, the French president and his wife. The restaurant is true to its heritage and has been visited by celebrities including Bono and Bill Cosby, who is a huge fan.
Mr. Ali was a gracious host. He showed us the new business, called Next Door, which is a more upscale and varied dining establishment. Upstairs, there's a gift shop.

Limoncello -- you can do it!

2009-07-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

We start out with a disadvantage to the Italians because we don't have the wonderful large sweet lemons that they have along the Amalfi coast. Even so, we can make a good limoncello with the lemons found in our grocery stores.

All over Italy, people serve their own homemade version of this. That's what inspired me to try it myself. I think you will be surprised how well it comes out.

You will need...

6 to 8 lemons
about 2 pounds of sugar
1 liter of grain alcohol or 100 proof vodka
1 liter or spring water or filtered water
1 gallon size glass container with lid, as well as the bottles you will use to store it when completed
1 zester

Before you begin, I would recommend that you get (or use) a Microplane grater/zester. They are available from Amazon and many kitchen supply places. It will make the task of zesting the lemons much easier.

I prefer to clean wax off the lemons using a mild vinegar or baking soda solution. Be sure to rinse them to remove the cleaning solution, also so you don't impart any off-taste to the zest.

First, remove the zest off of all the lemons. Place the zest in a quart jar. Cover the zest with a cup or so of the alcohol and let it stand for 10 days in a cool location. Some people like to use a quarter cup or less of lemon juice with the zest. I have tried it both ways and you will have a successful result either way. I think the method using the juice provides a slightly sweeter version.

After the 10th day, dissolve all the sugar in the spring water to create a simple syrup. You can do this by heating the water on the stove. It need not be boiled, just warm enough for the sugar to dissolve. Be sure to keep it from scorching. Let the syrup cool to room temperature before using.

Taking your large glass container, mix the lemon zest starter with the remaining alcohol and cover. Refrigerate for about 2 days. After the 2 days have passed, filter this liquid to remove the zest and any other debris. Pour into the bottles from which you will serve the limoncello. You can use a tea-strainer or anything else you have in the kitchen to strain the solution.

Cap and store the bottles in the refrigerator or the freezer. You can drink the limoncello after about 2 weeks, but allowing it to sit for a month is even better. You may want to add a drop or more of yellow food coloring, but go slowly as you add it because a little goes a long way.

Once you have used lemons, you can try mixing or substituting lime or even orange zest for the next time.

Serve ice cold in cordial glasses. It is best to store the limoncello and the glasses in the freezer.

Enjoy!