What is the future of journalism? How do independent voices fit into the industry? What can journalism students expect as they begin their careers? These are the questions that Christopher Wink, CLA ’08, set out to answer when, as a recent graduate, he co-founded the Klein News Innovation Camp. 

Now in its 16th year, Klein Camp brought together 150 media professionals from across the mid-Atlantic, including many from major national, local and independent newsrooms. The daylong event is sponsored by the Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple and organized by Technical.ly. 

Known as an “unconference,” Klein Camp is designed to support news, media and communications professionals in established and emerging fields. Unlike typical conferences, the schedule of events is determined day-of. When participants arrive in the morning, they are encouraged to pitch a unique session topic, determining the schedule for the day with unique and contemporary conversations centered on the future of media and news industries. This year’s unconference topics included the following:

• The Meme-ification of the News: When It’s OK to Be Funny and Still Be Factual 
• What If There’s No Such Thing as a Journalist Anymore? 
• Empowering Responsible Reporting on Gun Violence 
• The Trust Test: Journalism in the Age of Creators 
• How to Engage with Gen Z Audiences 

“Klein Camp is driven by professionals who have big questions about what journalism looks like right now. The event enables them to connect with colleagues and determine solutions to move forward,” said Deborah Cai, acting dean of Klein College of Media and Communication and professor of communication. 

In addition to connecting established news and journalism professionals, this year’s event embraced content creators from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, leaning into the unconference’s roots as a hub of independent creators and thinkers who are shaping the future of information and news landscapes. 

“Because Klein Camp was founded by Temple undergrads, the vibe of the event remains informal and unpretentious,” says Wink, Technical.ly founder and CEO. “It’s very chill and it speaks to Temple’s spirit—it’s very much about the application of this work.” 

Year over year, Klein Camp has proven to be an engaging event that creates connections for news and media professionals and aspirants.  

“Klein Camp really helped me transition from being a food blogger to a news journalist,” says Danya Henninger, editorial director at Technical.ly. “I got a full-time job through the networking, insights and connections I made there. It is a place where you can meet mentors. I know several people who have gotten journalism jobs through the connections they make at Klein Camp.” 

Looking ahead, organizers hope to host future events in the Caroline Kimmel Pavilion for Arts and Communication, a new building currently under construction on Temple’s campus that will serve as the new home of Klein and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts, set to open in fall 2027. And, as Klein Camp continues, Wink hopes that the event is seen not only as an isolated industry event for communications but an interdisciplinary opportunity to discuss our ever-evolving news and information landscapes.  

“I want people to consider that everything we ever learn is something that someone wants us to know,” Wink concludes. “Thinking about the sources of our news and information and the mechanisms by which we share and receive it is crucial, in this immediate moment and for the future.”