NLGJA 2026 National Convention

In this session, we’ll break down what actually makes voices engaging, and why sounding natural takes skill. You’ll explore the difference between voice and speech, how writing choices affect delivery and how small shifts in pacing, pitch and emphasis can change how your reporting lands. We’ll listen closely, try short, practical exercises, and talk about how to self-diagnose what’s working — and what’s getting in the way of an engaging delivery.
This is not about adopting a “broadcaster voice” or flattening or losing an accent. It’s about developing vocal expression that supports your journalism and respects the listener’s ear. You’ll leave with: a clearer understanding of what audiences respond to — and why; tools for sounding more conversational, confident, and engaged; a stronger sense of how writing and voicing work together; and simple techniques you can use immediately to improve your delivery.

As we head into a high-stakes midterm election season, community journalists are bridging the gaps across ideological, geographical, and cultural divides for voters nationwide. This comes as the national discourse remains polarized more than ever before. This session brings together a group who are not just seeing America's divisions in their nuanced, ground-level reporting, but working to comprehend, document and advance understanding of them ahead of and during the 2026 election. This panel will discuss how to thoughtfully cover elections through a cultural lens. Each panelist also brings a unique perspective shaped by the challenges and resilience of the communities they cover.

Trans people and communities are at the center of a fierce political debate, legislative attacks and widespread misinformation. As coverage of trans communities influences both policy and public perception, accuracy and care in reporting are critical across beats and not only during moments of controversy. Informed by data and established standards for trans-inclusive coverage, this panel will explore concrete opportunities for journalists to more thoughtfully integrate trans and gender-expansive sources into their work across beats and styles, including investigations, breaking news, features and multimedia. Panelists will discuss best practices for interviewing, sourcing and language use, offering guidance that supports accurate, ethical and context-rich reporting. Participants will leave with practical strategies, clearer editorial context and story ideas that expand their reporting while better reflecting the full range of communities affected by today’s news.

It might be a news story that seems stranger than fiction or one that hits close to home. Queer and trans documentary filmmakers have been on the frontlines across America, diving deeper into the “ripped from the headlines” stories that feel too important to ignore. In this session, hear from industry leaders and documentary filmmakers who found inspiration from the news to craft films that zoom in on some of the most pressing issues facing LGBTQ+ people today. Using their films as case studies, attendees will see firsthand how these creatives found their story and got their projects made. This panel is perfect for any journalist interested in learning how to work with filmmakers to expand on their stories, or who wants to learn how they can create their own documentaries.

Leading industry professionals will share their experiences and advice, empowering you to negotiate with your employer and address workplace concerns throughout your career.  This panel, made up of SAG-AFTRA members currently working as media professionals will discuss their careers, give guidance and answer questions from the audience. This panel will cover: the media landscape and getting your first job; addressing difficult issues and advocating for a better work environment; and the important role of mentorship and networking in the field of broadcast.

This panel examines how a local station’s virtual studio and a national streaming network now operate as one news model.  CBS News Bay Area adopted AR/VR technology, with its anchors now contributing to CBS News 24/7, the network's national streaming service, blurring the line between a regional newsroom and a 24-hour national broadcast operation. Using one virtual studio for both local broadcasts and continuous streaming, raises real production questions about pacing, graphics, talent direction, staffing, and workflow when using the same set to effectively serve both platforms.  Panelists will discuss using a virtual set for both local weather and national news and what it signals for future local-to-national broadcast integration.

What's it like to be a queer journalist in a red state? How do you engage with people who are the polar opposite of who you are? How do you ensure a fair and balanced report when the policy proposals also impact you? Let's have a conversation with LGBTQ+ journalists in the "flyover" and red states about navigating the complexities and intersectionalities that come with being an LGBTQ+ journalist in those states. 

Queer women face persistent erasure in media and culture, misrepresentation and stereotypes, and a lack of spaces specifically celebrating queer women. How can we reclaim the L in LGBTQ+ media while still being inclusive. 

Media is at a critical inflection point. As legacy and mainstream outlets decline ― in readership, trust, funding and support for marginalized populations ― progressive media makers are using emergent strategies to shape the future of storytelling. Among these innovative methods of storytelling, a unifying vision has emerged: in the future, marginalized communities will maintain agency over our own narratives.  This panel will feature four trans and nonbinary thought leaders, from journalists to authors to community organizers, articulating possible pathways for building the media future we deserve. Participants will leave the session with ideas for how to integrate this vision in their current newsrooms, and inspiration for building their own media initiatives. Attendees will gain an understanding of movement journalism and the frameworks for establishing media co-ops and zines. They will also network with other media makers who share similar goals, increasing their ability to accomplish them.