PRESS CONFERENCE
An Honest Reflection on the Challenges to Journalism
Jelani Cobb, Dean of the Columbia Journalism School
10:30-11:30 Friday, July 10, 2026
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in English.
Journalism has seen enormous changes, both in its practices and professional opportunities, and the field only faces more severe challenges from the rise of artificial intelligence and divisive politics. To talk with us about the present and future of our profession, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan is pleased to welcome Jelani Cobb, the dean and Henry R. Luce Professor at the Columbia Journalism School.
With specialized institutes ranging in focus from digital and investigative journalism to ethics and human rights, Columbia remains one of the United States' and the world's preeminent centers for both professional training and academic research. The prestigious New York-based journalism school is still going strong at a time when trust in news media is low, political leaders seek to bypass and discredit independent reporters, and jobs can seem few and far between.
As the dean, Cobb is well suited to observe the current state of journalism and attacks on the freedom of press. He will also share his thoughts on the pathways available to young people seeking to enter journalism, what Columbia is teaching its students to succeed in the current environment, and whether a graduate degree in journalism is even necessary in today's age of diminished institutions and information overload.
How to attend:
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.
How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live
How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/djNo3Pk1cxAyZSrS9
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.
Professional Activities Committee