International journalists from World Press Institute visit Grand Marais

Nine journalists from around the globe arrived in Grand Marais on Sunday, Sept. 14, and began a multi-day exploration of Cook County.

The journalists are participants in the World Press Institute (WPI), an annual fellowship program that brings reporters to the U.S. to explore media, culture, politics, and current issues.

The 2025 WPI program runs from Sept. 5 through Nov. 8. The fellows spend nine weeks traveling to various cities and towns in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, California, Arizona, Alaska, Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C.

As part of the Minnesota tour, the journalists spent four days in Minneapolis, visiting Minnesota Public Radio and the Hubbard Broadcasting/KSTP-TV station, and meeting with Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim, and other state officials.

During the Grand Marais leg of the tour, the journalists will explore the Gunflint Trail, visit the Cook County History Museum, the Grand Portage National Monument, and WTIP. 

The Grand Marais visit also includes two public events, the first held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The event is a journalist forum where the journalists will share their experiences reporting in diverse political and cultural environments around the world. The panel will explore the role of media in shaping the public’s understanding, challenges with press freedom, and ethical dilemmas journalists face. The event will feature a question-and-answer session with the nine visiting journalists.

The 2025 WPI fellows represent countries including Argentina, Bulgaria, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Indonesia, Italy, Kenya, and Namibia.

The following evening, on Wednesday, Sept. 17, the journalists will attend a community potluck at the Congregational Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event.

WTIP spoke with four of the nine WPI journalists after they arrived in Grand Marais. Audio is below.

Canada

Mr. Ian Froese, provincial affairs reporter for CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) in Manitoba.

Indonesia
Ms. Ardhike Indah, education and political journalist for Tribun Jogja Newspaper and TribunJogja.com in Yogyakarta.

Kenya

Mr. Njoroge Muigai, senior journalist for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Nairobi.

Namibia

Ms. Sonja Smith, investigative journalist at the Center for Collaborative Investigative Journalism (CCIJ) and correspondent with the Associated Press (AP).

Kalli Hawkins September 16, 2025