FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Public Forum on Journalism In New Orleans
Minh Nguyen
Public Forum on Journalism in New Orleans
“Where do we go from here?”
NEW ORLEANS, LA— In response to unprecedented changes sweeping the New Orleans journalism landscape, the New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance (NOCOG) in partnership with the Foundation for Louisiana, GNO Inc. and Loyola University School of Mass Communications is hosting a public forum to provide an opportunity for media leaders and community members to come together and discuss how to best chart a new course towards a model of journalism that is accountable, innovative and sustainable.
WHAT: A Public Forum on Journalism in New Orleans. This public forum, which will be simulcast live on TheLensNola.org, will include a panel of national media researchers and practitioners discussing broad new trends in journalism and then invite audience members to describe the kind of news and information they want and need. Media leaders will hear from news consumers: ‘What’s working?’ ‘What’s not working?’ ‘What are the news and information priorities of the community?’ ‘How do we amplify those voices that are oftentimes marginalized to create more equity?’
The forum will be supplemented by a public survey which will ask the community about their news and information needs. Information gathered from the forum and surveys will lead to a report, providing the region’s news-gathering institutions with feedback to help guide their coverage in ways that meet audience’s needs.
WHO: New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance in partnership with the Foundation for Louisiana, GNO Inc. and Loyola University School of Mass Communications are sponsoring this event. Panelists include:
- Kevin Davis - CEO, Executive Director of the Investigative News Network (INN)
- Kelly McBride - Senior Faculty, Ethics, Reporting and Writing for Poynter Institute
- Chris Sopher - Journalism Program Associate for Knight Foundation
- Jamal Watkins - Chief of Staff, Center for Social Inclusion
- Keith Woods - Vice President for Diversity in News and Operations, National Public Radio (NPR)
WHEN: Wednesday, August 8th 7-9 p.m. (reception begins at 6:30pm)
WHERE: Loyola University Nunemaker Auditorium in Monroe Hall, 2700 Calhoun St. This event will also be simulcast live on our partner news website TheLensNOLA.org.
WHY: NOCOG believes that community voices matter and that citizens should be involved in the reconstruction of our new media landscape. Credible, reliable sources of news and information have been instrumental in helping residents navigate the rebuilding of our post-storm communities as well as fueling our emergence as a national model for progressive citizen engagement. To ensure that our hard won gains continue unabated, the diverse voices of our residents must have a role in the redesign of our information delivery networks.
Just as our community did not sit back post-Katrina, bemoan the crisis and allow political leaders to decide our future, we must be equally committed in ensuring that evolving information services deliver what is needed as the recovery of our city gains momentum.
####
For more information contact NOCOG Communications Director Deborah Cotton at deborah...@gmail.com or call (818) 321-8778.