How does the news media navigate an environment of huge changes and challenges? How do news consumers get the news they need to be informed citizens? New organizations—for-profit and nonprofit, large and small, traditional and new media—are facing tremendous changes in business models, in reaching audiences, in political pressure, and in technology.

Get an inside look at the mission of the news media when William Brangham joins us at Commonwealth Club World Affairs headquarters. Brangham is an award-winning correspondent for the "PBS News Hour” and also serves as the host of “Horizons" from PBS News. Brangham has also reported extensively on the climate crisis, helping establish the "News Hour" as the clear leader in broadcast news. Brangham has also done considerable reporting on health, health care and pandemics. In addition to playing a central role in the News Hour’s Covid-19 coverage, his multi-part series about the fight against influenza won the 2020 News & Documentary Emmy Award for “Outstanding Science, Medical and Environmental Report.” 

During his career, Brangham has also worked on video and television projects for The New York Times, ABC News, National Geographic and “Frontline." Prior to joining the “News Hour," he was a producer and correspondent for "Need to Know" on PBS, and before that, on "Bill Moyers Journal.” 

Hear the inside scoop from a veteran journalist on the state of the news media in 2026.