Remembering Jim Hoge, Legendary News Editor and Unwavering ICFJ Leader

By: ICFJ | 09/22/2023
Jim Hoge with Jim Hoge Reporting Fellows Bárbara Poerner of Brazil, left, and Mais Katt of Syria at an ICFJ event in May.

The practice of journalism has changed dramatically in this century, but some things remain – like the vital role journalists play in serving the public, and the need for a new generation of reporters to carry on this critical work. 

James F. Hoge Jr., the venerated editor and publisher, not only understood these truths. Jim championed them. When he died this week at the age of 87 in New York City, journalism and the people it informs suffered a great loss. His legacy lives on in the countless journalists in the U.S. and around the world whose careers he touched.

Jim served on ICFJ’s board for more than three decades, including as the chair and vice-chair. He joined the board in 1992, as he was beginning an 18-year stint as editor of Foreign Affairs, and following an exceptional run as editor and publisher of the Chicago Sun-Times and publisher of the New York Daily News.

What mattered most to Jim was “the critical importance of the work of the profession on the ground, often investigative, speaking truth to power in a world where transparency and analysis has been under assault, too often by established institutions in business as well as government,” wrote Jason H. Wright, an ICFJ board director, in a piece published by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Jim brought this deep commitment to excellence to ICFJ, as well as visionary leadership and incomparable insight into complex international affairs, said ICFJ President Sharon Moshavi.

“ICFJ would not be what it is today without Jim,” Moshavi said. “He helped steer the organization as our board chair during a period of rapid change in the news industry, and continued to generously contribute his time and expertise in the years since. We are forever grateful to Jim for his unwavering dedication to our mission and support for the journalists we serve.”

Jim’s passion for helping young journalists led ICFJ to establish the Jim Hoge Legacy Fund in 2022. The Fund supports emerging news leaders to report on issues of critical global importance. This includes journalists like Mais Katt of Syria, Philip Obaji Jr. of Nigeria, and Bárbara Poerner of Brazil. As inaugural Jim Hoge Fellows, they are deepening their reporting on the effects of the protracted Syrian crisis on women, the activities of Russia’s Wagner Group in West Africa, and the social impacts of energy projects in South America. 

“Jim has long been a guiding force for ICFJ, providing strategy and inspiration that have helped the organization expand, evolve and better serve journalists in nearly every corner of the world,” said Michael Golden, the current chair of the ICFJ board and former vice chairman of The New York Times. 

ICFJ is honored to carry forward Jim’s commitment to journalistic integrity. Through the Jim Hoge Legacy Fund, Jim’s life will continue to have an impact on the journalists ICFJ supports to provide the trustworthy news that free and strong societies demand. 

Some people have reached out to us about making a donation in Jim's memory. If you are interested, please do so here. As always, we are incredibly grateful for your support.

News Category
Blog Post
Tags
Board of Directors

Latest News

ICFJ se Suma a Otras 9 Organizaciones Internacionales Para Presentar un Amicus Curiae en el Caso del Periodista Guatemalteco Encarcelado José Rubén Zamora

Un grupo de 10 organizaciones internacionales presentó esta semana un amicus curiae ante la Corte Suprema de Justicia de Guatemala en el caso del periodista José Rubén Zamora Marroquín. El amicus, presentado el 26 de marzo, argumenta que el retorno de Zamora a prisión preventiva constituye una violación de sus derechos fundamentales bajo el derecho guatemalteco e internacional, e insta a la Corte a otorgar un recurso de amparo pendiente y permitir que el Sr. Zamora lleve su proceso bajo medidas sustitutivas.

ICFJ Joins 9 Other International Organizations in Submitting Amicus Brief in Case of Imprisoned Guatemalan Journalist José Rubén Zamora

A group of 10 international organizations submitted an amicus curiae brief to Guatemala’s Supreme Court in the case of journalist José Rubén Zamora Marroquín. The brief, filed on March 26, argues that Zamora’s return to preventive detention constitutes a violation of his fundamental rights under Guatemalan and international law, and urges the Court to grant a pending amparo appeal and allow Zamora to return to house arrest.

Press Freedom on Campus: Why it Matters and What Student Journalists Need Most

In February, ICFJ partnered with Vanderbilt University and Freedom Forum, with support from the Lumina Foundation, to bring university faculty and students, international and U.S. journalists, and media leaders together for a discussion about the importance of press freedom in democratic societies. Participants stressed how U.S.-based journalists can learn from the experiences of their colleagues abroad, and they dived into the challenges campus reporters face, such as a lack of funding and harassment from fellow students, offered advice for engaging audiences, and more.