The OC Press Club announced the results of their recent election for board service for 2027, with three Voice of OC reporters winning election to the board.
Hosam Elattar will be entering his second year of board service and is now joined by Noah Biesiada and Tracy Wood Fellow Michelle King.
“It is an honor to be reelected to the OC Press Club and to be trusted to represent the interests of local journalists and advocate for their rights.” said Elattar. “I’m excited to be joined by several talented young reporters who were newly elected for their first term and work with them to revamp and modernize the club and its offerings”
“Orange County is a diverse place, and so are the reporters who cover it. For the first time in a long time, the board is reflective of that diversity and filled with people who won’t be afraid to stand up for the local press corps, know the importance of a free press and journalism — a value and profession that many in this country have died to protect and that many journalists across the globe are killed or imprisoned for practicing,” added Elattar.
Founded more than 100 years ago the OC Press Club exists to support, promote and defend quality journalism in Orange County as well as Southern California.
Michelle King, who became a Tracy Wood Fellow in January of this year and graduated from Cal State University Fullerton in May, was also elected to her first term on the board.
“I am so excited for the opportunity to join this team of extremely talented and dedicated journalists to keep news thriving in OC. It is more important now than ever that we work to eradicate news deserts and keep the press free. I can’t wait to start working with this board to work toward those goals.” said King. “As a new member, I look forward to meeting and working with those who share the same passion for thorough and accessible news to maintain a free and diverse press in Orange County.”
County Reporter Noah Biesiada is also serving his first term on the OC Press Club Board. Biesiada began his career with Voice of OC as an intern from Cal-State University Fullerton, later joining Voice of OC as a full-time reporter in 2021.
“I’m looking forward to advocating for transparency on behalf of the county press corps. Now more than ever we need an organization to step up and call on institutions to open their doors to the public so people have a real idea of what’s going on in their communities.” said Biesiada. “I want this press club to be one of the loudest voices in that conversation, and offer resources for journalists to take advantage of those offerings and give people a deeper understanding of the world around them.”
To see the full OC Press Club Board, click here.
