While we are quite proud of TEENSPEAK Today for the Leaders of Tomorrow, it nonetheless represents just one of the goals of our nonprofit organization, the Institute for Young Journalists. Institute for Young Journalists also sponsors a lecture series with prominent journalists, celebrities and media representatives who discuss various aspects of proactive, reliable, and responsible journalism. Our first lecture featured Carl Gottlieb, Deputy Director of the Project for Excellence in Journalism. He conducted focus groups with high school students, dissecting local television news for the purpose of highlighting the difference between tabloid/sensational journalism and honest, accurate, well sourced journalism.

"Weekend Today" show anchor Soledad O'Brien was our second guest lecturer, and she discussed "The Impact of the Internet on the Broadcast Community." In addition, the Institute will soon award college scholarships to teens interested in pursuing careers in journalism.