Media Consider Local Journalism’s Importance at Town Hall
At a time when contemporary terms like “fake news” can be powerful enough to cause distrust in news reporting, Duquesne University’s Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism will tackle the thought-provoking topic during a town hall panel discussion featuring national and local journalists.
The Importance of Local Journalism in an Age of Declining Trust in Media will delve into the ethical considerations that regularly come up in newsrooms and address decision-making processes and the subsequent impact on the public’s perception of truth.
NPR Public Editor Kelly McBride, a renowned expert in journalism ethics, will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 17, from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Power Center Ballroom followed by a networking event for students with media professionals.
McBride, who also is senior vice president and chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership at the Poynter Institute, will be joined by:
- Steve Caruso, House beat reporter for the Pennsylvania Capital-Star
- Luis Fabregas, A’88, GA’95, editor of the Tribune-Review
- Lynne Hayes-Freeland, A’77, KDKA-Radio personality and former KDKA-TV reporter
- Mila Sanina, executive editor of PublicSource
- Josh Taylor, A’07, anchor, reporter and producer for the KDKA-TV sports team
- Dr. Pamela E. Walck, associate professor of multiplatform journalism in the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts.
“Duquesne is fortunate to have such a distinguished media ethicist as Kelly McBride spearheading the discussion and providing her view of the state of journalism at a time when distrust of the media is so pronounced,” Tara Bradley-Steck, directing Fellow of the Institute, said. “We assembled this amazing group of panelists to expose the general public, but especially students, to a topic that should be near and dear to everyone who is concerned that the news they’re reading or listening to is factual, balanced and fair.”
The Importance of Local Journalism in an Age of Declining Trust in Media is free and open to the public, and will be livestreamed on YouTube. Walk-ins are welcome, but attendees are encouraged to register in advance. Those who RSVP will have the opportunity to submit questions beforehand. If time permits, in-person and virtual attendees also can pose questions during the event.
Immediately following the discussion, Duquesne students will have an opportunity to discuss internships, jobs and career choices with the panelists and a group of alumni involved in various media professions.
The Institute for Ethics and Integrity in Journalism was established at Duquesne this year through a grant from Duquesne alumna Patricia Doherty Yoder, ’61, whose decades-long career includes numerous senior-level positions in public relations and public affairs. The Institute’s mission is to promote trust in journalism and news media by creating an ongoing dialogue with the public and regional partners to foster best practices to support local and national journalism that is fair and accurate, to recognize outstanding journalism practitioners, and to offer enhanced educational and professional learning experiences for Duquesne students.