Freedom Forum to Host Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, Convene 50 Brightest High School Journalists

Annual Event Provides All-Expense-Paid Week of Educational Programming and Mentorship for Aspiring Young Journalists

Washington, D.C. — Freedom Forum, a national nonprofit dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all Americans, will host its annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference June 22 through June 27 at its headquarters at The Wharf in Washington, D.C. Each year, the selective academic and scholarship program equips some of the most passionate, curious and brightest students across the United States with access to leading journalists in Washington who share valuable insights and career-defining experiences.

Freedom Forum enlists the help of high school journalism educators throughout the country to recruit applicants and promote this important program. Prospective applicants are required to submit work samples, letters of recommendation, student transcripts and essays about their interest in journalism, as well as the qualities they possess that make them “free spirits.” Each student selected for this year’s conference will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice.

“In each of these scholars we see the imagination to dream, the courage to dare and the capability to do great things,” said Jan Neuharth, chair and CEO of Freedom Forum. “This year’s talented group of scholars will learn about the relevance of the First Amendment, the importance of a free press and its critical role as a cornerstone of democracy.”

The Free Spirit conference, first held in 1999, is the preeminent youth media and journalism conference for rising high school seniors. The conference admits one student from every state and Washington, D.C., for an all-expense-paid trip to provide inspiration and guidance on careers in the media. To date, the program has produced more than 1,400 alums that include award-winning journalists, broadcasters and entrepreneurs.

The conference will feature prominent journalists who will talk about their work, how they broke into the industry and the importance of a free press. “Covering Elections and Politics in 2024” will feature Washington Post national political reporter Isaac Arnsdorf, New York Times congressional correspondent Catie Edmondson, CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang and NBC News chief political analyst Chuck Todd.

Washington Post social media editor Amy Nakamura, Juggernaut founder and CEO Snigdha Sur and Brian Reed, host and co-creator of the podcast “S-Town,” will lead a session on the journalism jobs of today and tomorrow.

Other prominent journalists attending include Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Carol Guzy, C-SPAN founding director Brian Lamb and New York Times investigative reporter and Pulitzer Prize-winner David Fahrenthold.

In addition, four alums of the Free Spirit program will share stories about their careers in journalism from high school to today: Angel Brock, producer, WUSA9; Derrell Bouknight, associate news producer, CBS Sports; Daarel Burnette II, senior editor, The Chronicle of Higher Education; and Maura Judkis, features reporter, The Washington Post.

2024 Free Spirit Scholars