With ONA26 in Chicago in just a few weeks, it’s time you get signed up for our by-application workshops designed to give you practical skills to take back to your newsroom. Join organizations such as International Women’s Media Foundation, Media Transformation Challenge, and Metcalf Institute’s Accelerating Climate Ready Newsrooms (ACORN) Project for specialized training on safety, climate reporting and leadership development. Space is limited so apply today for consideration.
Interactive Holistic Safety Training Workshop with International Women’s Media Foundation
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT and Wednesday, April 1, 2026 from 10:15 a.m. – 1 p.m. CT
Join the International Women’s Media Foundation for a two-part in-person interactive holistic safety training on Tuesday, March 31 and Wednesday, April 1.
Journalists in the United States are facing a challenging environment marked by physical threats, digital harassment, legal intimidation, and violence while on assignment. The importance of investing in safety training and security measures is clear as journalists cover protests and political events, interact with law enforcement, and face threats of arrest while reporting.
On the first day, participants will build foundational skills in risk assessment and mitigation, with a special focus on editors who are navigating on-the-ground threats and response decisions. The session will address how to keep journalists safe in the field and what digital and legal safeguards should be in place to support them.
The second day will provide practical guidance for editors, staff and freelance journalists on covering protests and other high-risk situations, including the safe use of personal protective equipment. Participants will also learn practical strategies for securing devices and protecting themselves and others from hacking, doxing, and other digital threats. The training will conclude with a group discussion on recognizing and addressing the emotional and psychological impact of reporting.
Breakfast will be provided on the first day, and lunch will be provided on the second day, thanks to the generous support of the Ford Foundation.
This workshop is by RSVP only. Please complete this form to join
Is Your News Organization Climate-Ready? (By Application)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM CT
Climate events—such as extreme storms, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts—as well as the need for news organizations to address long-term issues related to climate that affect their communities can stress newsrooms far beyond providing accurate and equitable climate-related content.
The climate crisis demands that news organizations think operationally and strategically on topics ranging from keeping their team safe; maintaining operations during major disasters; grounding reporting in scientific research; determining how their entire newsrooms report on long-term climate issues such as migration, food security, and more; and maintaining community-focused approaches.
In this workshop from the Metcalf Institute’s Accelerating Climate Ready Newsrooms (ACORN) Project, participants will hear from newsrooms that are working on climate readiness strategies and then create their own climate-ready plans that include clear statements on how they will move from where they are today to where they want to be and mapping out six month to one-year plans to meet their goals.
Please complete this short application to join the workshop. Applicants must be registered ONA26 attendees and be accepted and confirmed to attend this workshop.
Speakers include Srishti Bose (Local News Initiative) and Fara Warner (Metcalf Institute)
Tackle Your Toughest Challenge with Media Transformation Challenge (By Application)
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 from 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM CT
Join this hands-on workshop to explore MTC @ Medill’s Executive Leadership Program and apply its core theory of change to your own work. You’ll learn how Media Transformation Challenge’s hallmark insight—that leaders drive organizational transformation and personal growth by focusing on performance, not just projects or plans—can help you tackle your most pressing leadership challenges.
Since 2007, nearly 450 senior media leaders have built durable skills, trusted peer relationships, and led meaningful industry change through MTC @ Medill at Northwestern.
Please complete this short application to join the workshop. Applicants must be registered ONA26 attendees and be accepted and confirmed to attend this workshop.
Speakers include Benjamin Wagner (Media Transformation Challenge) and Fran Scarlett (Media Transformation Challenge).
