The Overseas Press Club of America (OPC) was founded in 1939 in
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the Un ...
by a group of
foreign correspondents. The
wire service
A news agency is an organization that gathers news reports and sells them to subscribing news organizations, such as newspapers, magazines and radio and television broadcasters. A news agency may also be referred to as a wire service, newswire, ...
reporter
Carol Weld was a founding member, as was the war correspondent
Peggy Hull. The club seeks to maintain an international association of
journalists working in the United States and abroad, to encourage the highest standards of professional integrity and skill in the reporting of
news
News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different media: word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting, electronic communication, or through the testimony of observers and witnesses to events. N ...
, to help educate a new generation of journalists, to contribute to the
freedom and independence of journalists and the press throughout the world, and to work toward better
communication
Communication (from la, communicare, meaning "to share" or "to be in relation with") is usually defined as the transmission of information. The term may also refer to the message communicated through such transmissions or the field of inqui ...
and understanding among people. The organization has approximately 500 members who are media industry leaders.
Every April, the OPC holds a dinner to award excellence in
journalism
Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the " news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (pro ...
for the previous year. The awards are
juried by industry peers. The organization also has a foundation that distributes
scholarships
A scholarship is a form of financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, diversity and inclusion, athletic skill, and financial need.
Scholarsh ...
to college students who want to begin a career as foreign correspondents. Many winners secure international assignments at some of the most prestigious news outlets in the world.
In April 2008, the OPC relaunched its website to include community features for members like forums, commenting, page sharing through email/print/download, and RSVP and bill pay functions.
Awards
, there are 22 awards presented:
See also
*
Foreign Correspondents' Club
Notes and references
External links
Overseas Press Club of America official websiteOverseas Press Club Foundation official websiteOverseas Press Cluba
The WNYC Archives
American journalism organizations
Foreign correspondents' clubs
Journalism-related professional associations
Professional associations based in the United States
Non-profit organizations based in New York City
Organizations established in 1939
1939 establishments in New York City
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