The National Press Club is part of the fabric of Washington politics and news. It is a professional and social gathering place for people in the news, or people looking to make news, from Charlie Chaplin to Barack Obama. It’s got a complicated history, but it is also a key part of the battle for press freedoms across the globe. On this episode we’re dipping back into our series explaining some of the institutions around Washington, this time with Herb Jackson, politics editor at Roll Call and vice chairman of the National Press Club’s board of governors.

Show Notes:

• Press wins spelling bee after politician flubs ‘whangdoodle’
• CQ Roll Call Reporters Win National Press Club Awards
• Decline of local journalism is likely increasing voter polarization
• Thursday’s Press vs. Lawmakers Spelling Bee Brought Levity to Tense Week
• For Stormy Daniels, Monday Was Not Her First Dance in Washington
• The Gridiron Club, explained
• The Political Theater archives