World Journalism Institute Inspires and Encourages Ink Slingers at CPAC

Washington, D.C. While major media outlets were reporting on political speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., in February, the World Journalism Institute hosted several events to meet the needs of aspiring and working journalists attending CPAC.

The WJI meeting room, which held 40-50 people, filled and overflowed for panels including "How to Be the Next Rush Limbaugh" with David Boze of KTTH/Seattle and "So You Want to Be a Columnist" with Fred Barnes and Andrew Ferguson (Weekly Standard), Ron Miller (Regular Folks United), and Marvin Olasky (WORLD magazine).

Journalists waited in line to meet with Nick Eicher (WORLD magazine publisher) and Mindy Belz (WORLD editor) for free thirty-minute editorial critique sessions during "Mind Your P's and Q's with WORLD magazine."

Eicher also led a panel on "New Media & The Tea Party Movement," featuring blogger Josue Sierra, Crystal Wright (ConservativeBlackChick.com), Mickey McLean (Worldmag.com), and David Brody (CBN News).

Belz moderated the "Shining Light into Dark Places" panel, which highlighted examples of truth-telling opportunities and dangers for investigative journalists. Panelists were Mark Tapscott (Washington Examiner), Les Sillars (Patrick Henry College), George Archibald (formerly Washington Times), and Lee Pitts (WORLD magazine).

The "Freelancing for Freedom" panel featured tips and advice from successful freelance journalists, including Bill Mattox, Julia Duin, Jill Lacey, William Owens, and Susan Moeller.

In addition to these seminars, WJI had a booth in the CPAC exhibit hall and gave away hundreds of books by journalists who have been guest speakers and teachers for the institute.