Can you spell the scientific name for bedbugs? You can bet Washington Post humor columnist Alexandra Petri (pronounced Pea’-try) can. Not only did she write a recent column taking on the persona of a bedbug incensed at being dragged into the muck of U.S. politics, she’s also a champion speller. In this edition of Update-1, National Press Club Broadcast/Podcast Committee member Viola Gienger has a fun conversation with Petri about her sense of humor, her championship last year in the NPC Press vs. Politicians Spelling Bee and her pending return this year, on Sept.

The NPC’s annual photo exhibit is on display in the Club’s lobby through September 27. Broadcast/podcast co-vice chair Adam Konowe spoke to photo team co-chair Alan Kotok about the evolution of the exhibit and its relevance in today’s critical society. Konowe also interviewed Aileen Schlef about her photos at a Washington, D.C. church, as well as Molly McCartney, who captured life in Syria before the civil war. Both photographers discuss how the photos were taken and the stories behind them.

The Internet is a global distribution platform, but along with such unprecedented technology and capability to instantly communicate, there area many overarching questions. What is the state of press freedom? How often is the First Amendment observed? What is the status of Freedom of Information? And how have the media changed from the 1960's to today? In this edition of Update-1, National Press Club Broadcast/Podcast Committee member Lincoln Smith interviews former National Press Club President Mark Hamrick, who addresses these questions and more.