The annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association took place in Washington on a Saturday night.  The event was different this year.  There was no president or comedian, just journalists celebrating the First Amendment.  The tone was serious, reflecting the tense political climate at the start of President Donald Trump's second term.  This president has had many clashes with the press.  He has even taken control of which media outlets get the most access to him.

The dinner usually features a comedian, but this year, the association canceled the comedian's appearance.  The comedian had called the new administration "a bunch of murderers" on a podcast.  The association decided to skip the usual humor and focus on celebrating journalism.  The association's president, Eugene Daniels, sent an email to the organization's 900 members.  He said the dinner was to "honor journalistic excellence and a robust, independent media covering the most powerful office in the world. "

The event is a big deal in Washington's social scene.  It raises money for journalism scholarships.  The ballroom at the Washington Hilton was full of journalists, newsmakers, and even some celebrities.  Daniels highlighted Debra Tice, whose son Austin has been missing for ten years after disappearing in Syria.  Daniels spoke about the challenges journalists face.  He said, "We've been tested and attacked.  But every single day our members get up, they run to the White House—plane, train, automobile—with one mission, holding the powerful accountable. "

The dinner also recognized winners of various journalism awards.  Alex Thompson of Axios won The Aldo Beckman Award.  He talked about the press missing some big stories.  He said, "We—myself included—missed a lot of this story, and some people trust us less because of it. "  Other awards went to journalists from AP, ABC News, the New York Times, Reuters, and the BBC.  They were recognized for their excellent coverage of important events.

The dinner was a time to celebrate journalism and the First Amendment.  It was a reminder of the important role journalists play in democracy.  The event showed that even without a president or comedian, journalists can still make a big impact.

Journalists Shine Spotlight on Free Speech at Annual Dinner

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