The New York Press Club

Past and Present

The New York Press Club is a professional organization of members and former members of the news media. It devotes its efforts to meeting the needs and interests of professional journalists and those in related fields, as well as providing public service to the community.

The club was founded in July of 1948 as the New York Newspaper Reporters Association. Today, its membership includes professionals from all types of news organizations including the Web, television, radio, wire services, daily newspapers, weekly and monthly publications, as well as professionals from the fields of communications, public relations and public affairs.

Membership Benefits

The New York Press Club works to protect the rights of all reporters while providing networking opportunities for journalists and communications specialists to discuss professional issues and affect change.

Lectures, panel discussions, 'newsmaker' appearances and other NYPC-sponsored functions have covered such topics as threats to freedom of the press, the various threats to investigative reporting, the relationship between the media and government, the role of community newspapers, foreign press coverage of the city of New York and questions about how the press covers itself. The club also sponsors debates - open to all members and broadcast live - among mayoral, congressional and gubernatorial candidates.

The NYPC's Freedom of the Press Committee provides assistance and support to journalists faced with legal problems such as the failure to divulge confidential news sources, or, being barred from a court hearing. Additionally, the club maintains a liaison with various government agencies whose actions directly affect working journalists in such matters as the issuing of Working Press credentials.

The annual New York Press Club Journalism Awards are a venerable tradition in New York media, honoring excellence in journalism by writers and reporters who are recognized as being among the best in their fields. The Awards and Installation Dinner, at which the year's awards are formally presented is a highlight on many social calendars.

Our annual Journalism Conference, traditionally staged in conjunction with a local university, has long been recognized as the premier event of its kind in metro New York. In addition to numerous conference tracks and break-outs that feature respected working journalists and academics, the conference offers other elements of useful interest to all ranks: students, journeymen and women and grizzled veterans.

Each spring, NYPC publishes Byline Magazine, a collectible that reviews the year's highlights, with stories and articles by both members and non.

The opportunites, professional and otherwise, of membership in the New York Press Club are boundless, regulated only by the enthusiasm and energy of individual members.

Join the New York Press Club

All new members must be approved by the club's board of officers. There are four categories of membership:

Active, for journalists currently working in print, broadcasting or electronic news media with at least six months experience in the New York area.

Associate, for public relations and communications professionals who were in news media for at least five years, at least half of that time in the New York area.

Affiliate, for former news media professionals who were in the field for less than five years or individuals who have no news media experience but are currently working in public relations or communications.

Student, for fulltime students matriculated into a course of study with an emphasis on journalism and/or communications.