An NABJ promo graphic for the Trump Interview — Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump participated in a conversation with journalists at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Annual Convention & Career Fair on Wed., July 31, at noon CST

It’s been a while since my last post. Thank you to everyone who has subscribed so far! I’m back from summer break and have new posts in the works. Let’s start with one of the most high-profile news events since last summer’s DealBook Summit interview with Elon Musk.

Nearly two weeks have passed since the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) interview with Donald Trump on July 31, allowing us time to reflect on its significance. This event, combining a controversial subject with skilled interviewers in front of a live audience, offers valuable lessons for newsrooms nationwide. As an event producer, my heart is full for the organizers and their amazing work.

What we witnessed wasn't just an interview; it was live journalism at its finest. The NABJ annual conference setting added crucial context, with the audience composition and on-stage dynamics forming integral parts of the story.

Tia Mitchell, co-chair of the convention, echoed [NABJ President Ken] Lemon’s explanation and said she had helped organize the Q&A “to create opportunities for journalists to interview the potential next President.” — NBC News

Interviewing presidential candidates has long been a feature of the conference and it is critical for journalists to practice their skills with presidential candidates. Tia Mitchell from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had a hand in inviting Trump so I needed no further guidance on the wisdom of the decision. I can understand why others might balk but journalists are courageous soldiers bringing us reports from the front lines. It is their job to ask hard questions, and for Black journalists, to represent their historically marginalized community in questioning a candidate for the highest office in our government.

This live journalism event showcased the power of bringing newsmakers face-to-face with an engaged audience. The live setting added layers of accountability and energy. As a virtual audience member, I found myself reacting in real-time along with others in the room. The resulting clips continue to dominate news cycles, offering insights into the political landscape of the 2024 Republican Presidential campaign. It was NABJ’s responsibility to host this interview and the results were informative for us all.

While not every newsroom can secure a presidential candidate, the NABJ event demonstrates a model that can be scaled and adapted (see Getting started with News Events). Local media outlets can organize similar events with mayors, state representatives, or influential community or business leaders. The goal is creating a space where journalism happens live, with the energy and immediacy that comes from a present audience.

📓 Key Takeaways for Newsrooms

Identify leaders interested in hosting live, high-profile interviews
Use events as newsgathering opportunities
Leverage live audiences to create impactful moments
Ensure accessibility through livestreaming
What takeaways would you add from this event? Share your thoughts in the comments.

💡Resources: API’s Live Events Playbook

For organizations inspired to develop their own event programs, the American Press Institute has a new resource: the Live Events Playbook. It is a Google Slides presentation that you copy and use like a workbook. It includes templates for production like an event brief and run-of-show, as well as exercises for must-do processes like team building and event design.

Remember, perfection isn't the goal when starting out. Getting started is your goal and then with repetition and refinement, your organization can quickly establish a powerful live journalism practice. Your team will feel the impact from your very first event and be jazzed to continue.

Take the first step in organizing their own live journalism event. The rewards - in terms of audience engagement, impactful reporting, and community connection - are well worth the effort.

Journalism has many roles. It’s time to embrace the role of convener. by Samantha Ragland and Kevin Loker for API

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