- The National Press Club inaugurates Mike Balsamo as its 118th President.
Washington, DC, February 13, 2025—According to Mike Balsamo, the 118th Club president, the National Press Club is enhancing its commitment to defending a free and independent press amidst rising physical, legal, and digital threats.
Balsamo, the Associated Press’s U.S. law enforcement editor, stated on February 7 during his inaugural address that disinformation spreads like wildfire, online harassment increases, and the foundations of U.S. democracy are tested daily.
Mike Balsamo, the Associated Press law enforcement news editor, was sworn in as the 118th president of the National Press Club by AP executive editor Julie Pace and 117th NPC president Emily Wilkins.
Balsamo stated that journalists are stepping up to the challenge, risking everything to hold the powerful accountable and ensure that the voices of the voiceless are heard. “Now more than ever, the world needs a fearless press,” he said. “We are not just reporting the news; we are shaping history, protecting democracy, and defending the right to ask tough questions.”
According to Balsamo, the new Club Press Freedom Center embodies the Club’s commitment to ensuring that no journalist faces intimidation alone. The Center is prepared to take action, whether it involves fighting for an American journalist who has been detained, assisting families caught in the media spotlight, or providing housing, legal support, and career opportunities for those forced into exile.
Balsamo is the sixth staffer from the Associated Press to lead the Club. He urged each inaugural attendee to pledge to advocate for freedom, uphold the truth, and create a future where journalism’s influence shines brighter than ever. With relentless determination, courage, and unwavering conviction, he emphasized that journalists will write the next chapter of our nation’s story—one characterized by unity, resilience, and an unbreakable commitment to our shared ideals.
“The future is ours to shape, and together, our light will never dim,” Balsamo concluded.
- Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. Located just three blocks from the White House, the Club has over 3,000 members, including reporters, editors, and expert communicators from nearly every major news organization globally. Historically, distinguished figures, including U.S. Presidents and world leaders, such as India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, have spoken at the Club.
- The National Press Club boasts a comprehensive global network of reciprocal clubs, with the Press Club of India in New Delhi as one of its key affiliates. This partnership allows members of the National Press Club to take advantage of the various facilities and resources offered by the Press Club of India while they are in New Delhi. These amenities may include access to meeting rooms, dining facilities, and networking opportunities with local journalists and media professionals, enriching the experience for members who wish to engage with the media landscape in India.
Source: National Press Club
— The CitiTimes Editor is a Member of the National Press Club.
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