The Insider: April 2026
April 1, 2026
Your comprehensive guide to using NLP resources.
What’s inside?
📰 New Freedom of the Press landing page
🌟 Tracy Raasch Insider Spotlight
🖥️ April 28 edWebinar: Register now
An inside look: New freedom of the press landing page
We know today may be April Fools’ Day (don’t worry, we play it straight in today’s newsletter as usual — no jokes!), but we are looking ahead to another important date: World Press Freedom Day on May 3. As conversations about press freedom increasingly show up in students’ online feeds, many educators find themselves navigating questions that feel both timely and complex. From debates about journalists’ rights to confusion around what the First Amendment actually protects, these moments create meaningful opportunities for learning. That’s why we created our new “Teaching about freedom of the press” landing page — to support you in those moments.
This curated collection of resources was designed with flexibility and time in mind. You’ll find quick, classroom-ready entry points like bell ringers and short activities, along with deeper lessons that can anchor a full class period. Whether you are introducing the First Amendment, exploring real-world examples of investigative journalism or looking at press freedoms globally, the resources are organized to help you easily find what fits your classroom needs.
Use this hub as a starting point or as a way to build on what you’re already doing. Either way, we hope it helps you feel more prepared for observing World Press Freedom Day with your students early next month.
Insider spotlight
Welcome to Insider Spotlight, where we feature real questions from our team and answers from educators who are making a difference teaching news literacy. This month, our featured educator is Tracy Raasch, a library media specialist in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What’s new?
⭐ Registration now open for our National News Literacy Conference
In case you missed it, registration for our inaugural National News Literacy Conference is open! We’re also seeking session proposals that align with NLP’s Framework for Teaching News Literacy and/or our grade-band expectations. We’re especially interested in proposals that include:
- Classroom-ready strategies and lessons.
- Innovative approaches to teaching news and media literacy.
- Real-world experiences, challenges and successes.
If you have an idea, strategy or practice that’s working in your classroom or district, we’d love to hear from you. The submission deadline is April 3, 2026.
⭐ National News Literacy Conference interest list
We know that cost can be a barrier to attending the National News Literacy Conference. Thanks to the support of our sponsors, a limited number of complimentary registration tickets may become available.
This form allows us to better understand interest and notify educators if sponsored tickets become available. Submitting this form does not guarantee a ticket, but ensures you’ll be considered.
⭐ A Note from our development team
We’re excited to introduce the Inkwell, a new chapter of NLP’s monthly giving program. You know firsthand the impact our resources have in your classroom. Donor support is what makes these powerful tools possible and free for educators nationwide.
Share your input
Click here to take the poll and be entered into a raffle to win NLP swag!
Congrats to Mary Jo Stirling for winning last month’s giveaway!
NLP events:
📅 April 28 at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT
What does it mean to use news and media literacy skills as a responsible participant in a democracy?
When students encounter new information, they’re faced with choices about how to evaluate claims and engage with others. Instead of leaving teens feeling cynical or overwhelmed, educators can help them build confidence. In this edWebinar led by News Literacy Project Senior Director of Education Design Pamela Brunskill, attendees will learn how to help students develop a personal code of ethics to guide their participation in today’s information environment. Register on edWeb.
Pencil it:
📅 April:
🌎 April 22: Earth Day
📅 May:
May 1-31: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
🌎 May 1: School Principal’s Day
🗞️ May 3: World Press Freedom Day
👩🏫 May 4-8: Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5: Teacher Appreciation Day) 🪖May 25: Memorial Day
Visit us at newslit.org, checkology.org and rumorguard.org.
The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is advancing the development and teaching of news literacy in K-12 education, so all students in the United States are skilled in news literacy before they graduate from high school, preparing them to think critically and independently as active participants in society.
© 2026 The News Literacy Project
5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Suite 440, Washington, DC 20015
info@newslit.org
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