The Associated Collegiate Press/College Media Association 2025 convention, also known as MediaFest25, was held in Washington, D.C., Oct 15-18. The annual event served as a valuable opportunity for journalism students to receive instruction, guidance and mentorship from industry professionals dedicated to fostering success in media careers.
Some 1500 participants from all over the United States gathered at the Grand Hyatt Hotel for four days of learning, networking and participating in the awards ceremony. The event offered future journalists the chance to receive hands-on training about the newspapers, literary magazines, business and technology.
Workshops covered everything from investigative reporting, ethics in journalism to multimedia storytelling. Participants learned about Google tools that can improve reporting, how the Student Press Law Center protects student journalists and how to craft a polished podcast along with critiques of newspapers, websites, social media, broadcast, magazines and literary journals.
Guest speakers also shared insights on navigating today’s fast-paced media landscape and addressed current challenges, including the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), intimidation tactics and frivolous lawsuits on journalists.
Former Indiana University student media director Jim Rodenbush received a standing ovation at the start of the keynote. He was fired from his job after the school’s administration demanded full coverage of the Indiana University homecoming activities in the student newspaper, which Rodenbush said amounted to censorship. It was a moment that highlighted the strong belief that student media still matters.
The keynote speaker, Margaret Talev, founding director of Syracuse University’s Institute for Democracy Journalism and Citizenship and senior contributor to the media outlet Axios, highlighted the challenges in journalism, including the ongoing federal shutdown, political pressures on campuses and the evolving role of journalism in a digital age. She emphasized the importance of ethical frameworks in using new technology, including Artificial Intelligence, although new technologies can be seen as a threat to ethical work.
The North Lake News-Register won seven awards. The team earned top honors for Sports Column, Sports Feature (print/web), Special Event Coverage, Multimedia Sports Story, Multimedia Feature Package, General News Package and Media Website of the Year.
With the government shutdown in process, students were unable to visit government buildings and museums. They did, however, tour the memorials and visited area restaurants.
Mediafest is the largest college media organization in the country. Each year, it brings student journalists together to learn, compete and connect with professionals.
