What does the future of the free press look like?

May 06, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read

The White House Correspondents' Weekend is a tradition built on the importance of a free press. However, that press looks different than it did a decade ago. Today’s news landscape is no longer confined to conventional newsrooms; independent creators have become essential voices, reaching communities in ways traditional media often cannot.

As a home for all voices, we went to Washington D.C. to honor the YouTube creators who are at the forefront of shaping news and culture.

Advocacy at Grammys on the Hill

Our teams spent Thursday on Capitol Hill advocating for artists, songwriters, and producers navigating the rise of AI. Later that day, Our Global Head of Music, Lyor Cohen, joined Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.…