Journalists go for laughs at Comedia dell Media, 7 pm April 1; $12

Forget Pulitzer, Polk and Peabody. This year’s most highly-sought media award will be bestowed Commedia dell Media at the National Press Club at 7 p.m. Friday, April 1.

Twelve competitors are lined up to vie for the title of D.C.’s Funniest Journalist at the third annual charity extravaganza.

Cost is $12 until Friday, March 11, when the price will go up to $15 online and $20 at the door. Tickets are available online at www.press.org/comedy.

Club members receive a $2 discount on all tickets and can receive the discount code by emailing Joshua Funk at [email protected].

Currently sharpening their wits in preparation, the candidates for Commedia del Media are Politico’s Jon Allen and Meredith Shiner; Nadia Bilbassy of the Middle East Broadcasting Company; National Journal’s Matt Cooper; Brooke Hatfield of The Washington CityPaper; John Kelly of The Washington Post; Riz Khan of al-Jazeera English; Bloomberg’s Scott Lanman; Lizzie O’Leary of BloombergTV; Mike Walter of Walter Media; Shaun Waterman of The Washington Times; and freelancers Jamila Bey and Tim Young.

All proceeds from Commedia dell Media will benefit The Committee to Protect Journalists/Journalist Assistance Fund, The Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library, and Reporters Without Borders.

The CPJ Journalist Assistance Fund saves journalists who must go into hiding or exile to escape threats and helps those in need of medicine or material support in prison.

The Club’s Eric Friedheim National Journalism Library helps hone skills of current and future newsgatherers with an array of training programs and scholarships.

Reporters Without Borders is the international non-profit organization dedicated to protecting journalists' rights, fighting censorship and promoting freedom of expression.

-- Joshua Funk, [email protected]