September 2025 Training Edition

Welcome to the Need to Know: Training Edition! Your monthly curated list of professional development resources for journalists and news leaders. Do you have ideas for opportunities to include? Send it our way using this submission form.

ICYMI: Resources from API and partners

>> Countering disinformation with Latino content creators: Olivia Rivarola of Factchequeado shared how and why they launched a modular, Spanish-language training program designed with Latino influencers to help them identify and counter disinformation. The culturally-relevant course includes tools for before, during and after content creation, as well as downloadable materials and real-world examples. It aims to strengthen trust in digital communities and safeguard the integrity of information served to Latino audiences.

>> Influencer strategy at LION summit: Marlene Harris-Taylor, director of inclusion and audience growth at API, will be giving a session at LION’s Independent News Sustainability Summit on Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m. Developing an Influencer Strategy for Your Newsroom is a hands-on workshop to give news leaders a chance to discuss and practice some of the decisions and steps for developing effective influencer collaboration strategies while maintaining journalistic integrity. Harris-Taylor will be joined by Danya Henninger of Technical.ly, Adriana Lacy and Ariel Zirulnick.

>> API at ONA: API’s Samantha Ragland will be giving a workshop at ONA25 in New Orleans on Sept. 10 at 10:30 a.m. Mutual Influence: Building Respectful Creator–Newsroom Partnerships That Work is an interactive session that explores how journalists and digital creators can build ethical, equal and effective partnerships.

>> How influencer partnerships can help you level up connection: API’s Liz Worthington is hosting a session on Sept. 23 to share a toolkit for building partnerships with influencers and trusted messengers. The session will explore how collaborations can help newsrooms grow audiences and trust, strengthen internal culture and extend reach. You’ll hear takeaways from API’s second Influencers Learning Cohort and learn how to plan and support sustainable partnerships. The event is open to all journalists, especially those focused on audience engagement and community collaborations.

Upcoming training opportunities

>> Covering Climate Now Academy: Covering Climate Now is offering a free, live, online training program for journalists worldwide from September through December. Participants will explore climate topics — including climate science, climate justice, health, diplomacy, mis- and disinformation, greenwashing and the green transition — through 12 interactive sessions. The program is limited to 40 participants who must attend at least six sessions, including three mandatory sessions. Apply by Sept. 8.

>> Ocean investigations with OSINT: The Pulitzer Center is hosting a hands-on webinar on Sept. 9 that shows journalists how to use open‑source intelligence — like satellite imagery and AIS vessel tracking — to uncover illegal fishing, pollution, smuggling and maritime labor abuses. This session is ideal for investigative and environmental reporters, as well as data journalists eager to bring OSINT into their reporting.

>> Reporting on mental health equity: Poynter is offering a free webinar on Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. EST to help journalists report on mental health with accuracy and empathy. Participants will learn to identify systemic barriers, source diverse voices and counter harmful myths and stereotypes. It includes replay access and enrollment in a self-guided course.

>> Ocean deep dives fellowship: The Pulitzer Center is accepting applications for the third cohort of its Ocean Reporting Network fellowships. This opportunity supports journalists for up to a year pursuing in-depth or investigative reporting on ocean issues. Fellows receive salary support, reporting expenses, mentorship and data and research assistance. Reporters with newsroom support are encouraged to apply, especially those covering underreported topics like deep-sea mining, marine energy, blue finance and ocean governance. Applications are due Sept. 12.

>> Designing a connected life: This seven-week long cohort to increase civic connection and engagement begins Sept. 18 and is put on by the nonprofit Chamber of Connection. Weekly conversations and trainings encourage core elements of social connection, including safety, emotional bonding, bridging social divides and civic engagement.

>> Sunshine Fest 2026 call for proposals: The Brechner FOI Project and MuckRock are seeking session ideas for Sunshine Fest 2026, happening in person March 16–17 in Washington, D.C. Organizers welcome speaker suggestions, topics of interest and other input to help shape the agenda. Submissions are open to all and can be made multiple times. Only contact information is required. Proposals are due by Sept. 22.

>> Cultivating civic membership workshop: Connective Tissue and the Democracy Policy Network are hosting a workshop on Sept. 25 focused on building civic belonging in communities. With lessons from the City Membership toolkit, the event features a panel and breakout discussions to refine your own strategies. Participants will explore ways to deepen civic identity through local organizing, storytelling and engagement strategies.

>> Will Work for Impact seminar: Poynter is offering a five‑week online seminar, Will Work for Impact: Fundamentals of Investigative Journalism, running Oct. 2–30. Led by ProPublica deputy managing editor Alexandra Zayas, the course covers how to spot investigative opportunities, access nonpublic records, harness the power of human reporting, shape compelling narratives and plan for impact. Participants engage in live Thursday sessions, complete weekly assignments and receive feedback from Zayas.

>> Radically Rural 2025: This year’s summit on Oct. 7–9 in Keene, N.H. is themed Rural Resonance and explores how the amplification of ideas through connection can help rural communities thrive. The summit aims to amplify collective rural impact by connecting folks with each other and with ideas. This year includes a new day of track-specific field trips, mini‑sessions and networking dinners to deepen sector-based connections.

>> Mental health in journalism summit: The Self-Investigation is hosting its Mental Health in Journalism Summit online Oct. 8–10. The event begins with Spanish-language sessions, followed by two days in English, offering a global space to explore healthier newsroom culture and resilience strategies. Journalists, editors, mental health professionals and media workers from around the world are encouraged to join. API is a sponsor of this event.

>> Nuclear convening in a missile silo: The Outrider Foundation is hosting a free, two-day Nuclear Reporting Summit on Oct. 9 and 10 at Titan Ranch, a former nuclear missile silo in Vilonia, Ark. Journalists, national security experts, frontline communities, policymakers and scientists will explore how nuclear weapons intersect with AI, community health, outer space, climate change, local economies and the environment. Travel grants are available, but space is limited.

>> Building bridges media training program: Documented has opened applications for its 2026 Building Bridges: An Immigrant Media Training Program, a project‑based initiative supporting six newsrooms across the U.S. and its territories. Each selected newsroom will receive a $10,000 stipend to develop a community‑driven editorial product serving immigrant communities, learn best practices rooted in trust and inclusive journalism and participate in a final investment round for further development. Apply by Oct. 12.

>> Karsh journalism fellowship: The Jacki and Jeff Karsh Journalism Fellowship is accepting applications for a unique program dedicated to deepening journalists’ understanding and reporting on Jewish issues. The year‑long fellowship supports up to 10 journalists with three immersive retreats in Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. Participants receive a $4,000 stipend, full travel and lodging coverage, mentorship from leading media figures and guidance. Deadline is Oct. 15.

>> Leaders of tomorrow retreat: The Radio Television Digital News Association is organizing its immersive young professional retreat, Leaders of Tomorrow, from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30, at Echo Mountain Inn in Laurel Park, N.C.. Early-career journalists and emerging news leaders will take part in a shared mountain retreat experience focused on leadership development through moving conversations, challenging exercises and peer connection.

📍Bookmark these training resources
 

• Guide to climate reporting: Best Practices for Climate Journalism (Covering Climate Now)
• Health misinformation: COVID conspiracies, flu facts and respiratory realness: The journalists’ guide to debunking health misinformation (Poynter)
• Guides for journalists (incarcerated or not) doing prison reporting: Prison Journalism Navigator (Prison Journalism Project)

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