Upcoming Conversation to Share Good News about Journalism
Columbia, Mo. (April 15, 2005) — American journalism, taken as a whole, is better than its critics admit, and an upcoming conversation will share the many ways that journalism is a force for good in the lives of individuals and the nation.
“What Good Is Journalism?” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, April 27, at The Freedom Forum in Arlington, Va. The day will begin with a continental breakfast at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge for the event, but there is limited seating. Lunch will be served. The event is sponsored by The First Amendment Center and the Missouri School of Journalism.
Roberta Baskin, executive director of The Center for Public Integrity, will be the keynote luncheon speaker. She has won more than 75 journalism awards, including two duPont-Columbia University Awards and two George Foster Peabody Awards for her investigative reporting. Prior to joining the Center she was senior Washington correspondent for Now with Bill Moyers. Previously she was senior producer for the ABC news magazine 20/20. Earlier she was chief investigative correspondent for the CBS news magazine 48 Hours and contributed special reports to the CBS Evening News. She was awarded a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University in 2001.
Missouri faculty members Judy Bolch, Sandy Davidson, Brant Houston, Geneva Overholser and Byron Scott talk about their writing on journalism that works. How local newspapers like the Anniston Star build community. How computer-assisted reporting creates new knowledge. How unknown heroes practice independent journalism in emerging democracies. What can happen when the journalism counts more than the profits. And how the First Amendment serves democracy.
A group of distinguished journalists will respond to the faculty presentations. They include Jay Kernis, senior vice president of programming, National Public Radio; Chris Waddle, president of The Ayers Family Institute for Community Journalism and vice president for news at The Anniston (Ala.) Star; and Lucy Dalglish, executive director, Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press.
George Kennedy, Missouri professor, will present the results of a new national survey about Americans’ love-hate relationship with journalists.
Agenda for “What Good Is Journalism?”
A one-day seminar to discuss the important roles of journalism in a healthy democracy.
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, April 27
Freedom Forum
1101 Wilson Blvd.
Arlington, Va.
| 8:30 to 9 a.m. | Continental Breakfast |
| 8:55 to 9 a.m. | Welcome Gene Policinski Executive Director, Freedom Forum First Amendment Center Daryl Moen Professor, Missouri School of Journalism |
| 9 to 9:45 a.m. | Journalism Tells Us about Our World
Author: Geneva Overholser, Curtis B. Hurley Chair in Public Affairs Reporting, Missouri School of Journalism. Respondent: Jay Kernis, senior vice president of programming, National Public Radio. |
| 9:50 to 10:35 a.m. |
Journalism Builds Local Communities
Author: Judy Bolch, Houston Harte Chair in Journalism, Missouri School of Journalism. Respondent: Chris Waddle, president of The Ayers Family Institute for Community Journalism and vice president for news at The Anniston (Ala.) Star. |
| 10:40 to 11:25 a.m. |
Journalism Creates Useful Information
Author: Brant Houston, director of Investigative Reporters and Editors and professor, Missouri School of Journalism. Respondent: Paul Overberg, database editor at USA Today. Overberg has been a reporter and editor at Gannett News Service and at the Courier-News in Bridgewater, N.J. |
| 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. |
Journalism Develops Democracy in Newly-Free Nations Author: Byron Scott, professor, Missouri School of Journalism. Respondent: Daniel Kimmage, senior regional analyst, Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, headquartered in Washington, D.C. |
| 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. |
Break |
| 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. |
Lunch |
| 1:15 to 1:45 p.m. |
Keynote Address: “A Good Day in Journalism” Roberta Baskin, executive director, The Center for Public Integrity |
| 1:45 to 2 p.m. | Break |
| 2 to 2:30 p.m. | What Do Americans Think about Journalism?
Survey results of Americans’ love-hate relationship with journalism. Presenter: George Kennedy, professor, Missouri School of Journalism. |
| 2:30 to 3:15 p.m. |
Journalism Protects Our Freedoms
Author: Sandy Davidson, associate professor of journalism and adjunct professor of law, Missouri School of Journalism. Respondent: Lucy Dalglish, executive director, Reporters’ Committee for Freedom of the Press. |
| 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. |
Closing Remarks: Daryl Moen, professor, Missouri School of Journalism. |
Updated: April 6, 2020