Chicago Headline Club

Chicago Headline Club. The Chicago Headline Club is a professional organization for journalists, editors, and other media professionals in the Chicago area, affiliated with the Society of Professional Journalists. Founded in 1921, the club has a long history of promoting freedom of the press and First Amendment rights, as advocated by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The club's members have included notable journalists such as Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times, Sarah Kendzior of The Guardian, and Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept.

● History

The Chicago Headline Club was established in 1921 by a group of journalists from The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other local newspapers, including The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. The club's early years were marked by its involvement in the Chicago Federation of Labor and its support for labor unions, such as the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. During World War II, the club played a significant role in promoting war correspondence and supporting war correspondents, including Ernie Pyle and Walter Cronkite. The club has also been involved in various freedom of information initiatives, including the Freedom of Information Act and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

● Mission and Objectives

The Chicago Headline Club's mission is to promote excellence in journalism and to protect the rights of journalists, as guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The club's objectives include providing professional development opportunities for its members, such as workshops and conferences, featuring speakers like Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald. The club also aims to promote diversity and inclusion in the media industry, as advocated by National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and Asian American Journalists Association. Additionally, the club supports media literacy initiatives, such as those promoted by The Poynter Institute and The News Literacy Project.

● Peter Lisagor Awards

The Chicago Headline Club presents the Peter Lisagor Awards annually to recognize excellence in journalism in the Chicago area, honoring the legacy of Peter Lisagor, a renowned journalist and columnist for The Chicago Daily News. The awards are given in various categories, including investigative reporting, feature writing, and broadcast journalism, and have been won by notable journalists such as Nicholas Kristof and Glenn Greenwald. The awards are judged by a panel of journalism professionals, including editors and reporters from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times.

● Membership and Activities

The Chicago Headline Club has a diverse membership of journalists, editors, and other media professionals from Chicago and the surrounding Midwest region, including Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. The club offers various professional development opportunities, including workshops, conferences, and networking events, featuring speakers like Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald. The club also hosts social events, such as happy hours and annual dinners, which provide opportunities for members to connect with other journalism professionals, including those from National Public Radio, PBS, and CNN.

● Governance and Leadership

The Chicago Headline Club is governed by a board of directors composed of journalism professionals from various media outlets, including The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and WGN-TV. The club's leadership includes a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer, who are elected by the membership, and have included notable journalists such as Nicholas Kristof and Glenn Greenwald. The club is also affiliated with the Society of Professional Journalists and works closely with other journalism organizations, including the National Press Club and Investigative Reporters and Editors. The club's governance and leadership are guided by its bylaws and code of ethics, which are based on the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics. Category:Journalism organizations