Even before Jimmy Stewart invaded the National Press Club bar to try to beat up a reporter in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," Washington reporters have been portrayed countless times in the movies and on television. Joe Saltzman, a journalism historian at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School, has studied this in detail and he will report his findings to the Club in an entertaining presentation on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m.

These portrayals are often riddled with stereotypes and mythologized, Saltzman says, and that influences the public’s perception of what Washington reporters do.

His study found that the Washington journalist is one of the more heroic images of the journalist in popular culture in most of the 20th century. Whether they are comic figures or serious dramatic figures, he says, they always seem intent on doing the right thing and exposing crooked politicians to public scrutiny.

Please join the Club’s History and Heritage Committee for this program that is free to members who can each bring one guest for free. Students are free. For everyone else, the charge is $5.00. But seating is limited, so everyone should reserve below.