Stakes of the Story | 2026 SPJ Region 2 Conference

Journalists today face profound challenges. Press freedom is under pressure around the world, misinformation spreads rapidly, all while the media landscape continues to evolve at breakneck pace. At the same time, the need for strong, ethical journalism has never been greater.

The SPJ Region 2 Conference brings together journalists, students, editors, and media professionals from across SPJ’s Region 2 for a day of conversations, workshops, and connection centered on this year’s theme: Stakes of the Story. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the conference will explore the enduring role journalism plays in informing the public and strengthening democracy.

Throughout the day, participants will engage with leading journalists and educators on critical issues shaping the profession—from misinformation and investigative tools to storytelling that informs communities and holds power to account. The conference offers an opportunity to sharpen skills, exchange ideas, celebrate award-winning journalism and, importantly, connect with others committed to the craft and responsibility of journalism.

Registration at the Academic Learning Common building on the VCU campus at 1000 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23220 opens at 11 am and we'll kick off the day-long conference with a luncheon and keynote by Eric Deggans, the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, overseeing classes on media issues, ethics and journalism. He also serves as a critic-at-large at NPR and is a member of the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

Following the keynote, we'll head over the the T. Edward Temple Building at 901 W. Main St. for a series of workshops.

We return to the ** at 4:30 for the Mark of Excellence Award ceremony with reception to follow.

Info: Eric Deggans is the Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics at Washington and Lee University in Virginia, overseeing classes on media issues, ethics and journalism. He also organizes and leads the school’s Ethics Institutes twice a year, bringing experienced journalism professionals together with students for in a two-day conference, dissecting issues and exploring cutting edge concepts in the field.
He is also a critic-at-large at NPR, moving into this role in 2025 after serving 12 years as the first full-time TV critic hired by the network, also contributing as a media analyst and guest host. Eric is also a member of the National Advisory Board for the Poynter Institute for Media Studies and chair of the Media Monitoring Committee for the National Association of Black Journalists.

Info: •Vertical Leap: How to connect with audiences through short videos
•Going Solo: You don’t need a job at a news organization to make a living as a journalist
•Pushing Past the FOIA Wall: Data Centers, ICE and Criminal Justice records

Info: •Internship-to-Job Pipeline: You need a newsroom internship to break into the news business. This session will show you how to get one.
•Post Post: After The Washington Post laid off more than 300 employees, eliminating its sports desk and cutting back on local news, other media organizations mobilized to help fill the gaps in coverage.
•AI – aye yi yi! How to harness the power of artificial intelligence to improve your journalism and make yourself more marketable.

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