Break Out Sessions
Participants will choose three one hour sessions to attend during the Speak Up Write Out Media Summit.
Break Out Session Slot 1
10:00 - 11:00 am
Making an Impression: Print Media – With the abundance of media fields available today, it is often difficult to begin the search for your ideal job or internship. Economic problems and the high numbers of college graduates in the job market further complicate this hunt. Where can you look for media and journalism jobs and internships? What are employers looking for? What can set you apart from the masses?
Panelists: Mike Doyle, Harry Deitz, Tom Torok…………………..Science Center 200
Tuning In– Given the ever-expanding sphere of journalistic mediums, how has radio evolved? Originally one of the most advanced forms of communication, now radio must contend with 24-hour media and the increasing role of the Internet. This panel will discuss the role of radio in a 21st century context.
Panelists: Peter MacLeod, Amy Worden……….McCreary 202
The International Perspective - In this era of globalism and international connection, the domestic issues of foreign countries sometimes directly impact the day to day discourse and debate that we have within the United States. How do news organizations determine which stories deserve to be featured and which ones can go by the wayside? Additionally, this panel will explore how our domestic politics are covered in the international arena.
Panelists: Joyce Karam, Nancy Nathan, John Baer……………...Science Center 348
Break Out Session Slot 2
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
Freedom of the Press in the 21st Century – (New for this year.) What is the government doing to preserve the rights of the press? How is the media addressing the growing threat of censorship? This panel will look at how the media covers the debates swirling over the issues of anti-piracy legislation and new efforts to control the flow of information.
Panelists: John Baer, Cindi Lash, Amy Worden………………………...McCreary 202
Making an Impression: Television and Documentaries - Do you love live news on TV or documentaries? Have you ever wanted to work in either of these fields? If so, this panel is the one for you. Come learn about how to break into these two types of news and how to find work within these worlds.
Panelists: Nancy Nathan, Jake Boritt, Mike Howells…………….Science Center 200
Ethical Dilemmas - During the recent Haiti earthquake disaster, journalists who typically cover the medical profession, and are dually trained as doctors, took their objective, non-involvement hats off and provided care to people who were suffering. Where should a journalist draw the line when covering a major disaster? If their man power can help save people’s lives, do they have a responsibility to help or do they have a journalistic responsibility to remain a passive observer so that they can accurately report the story? What other problems occur when a local disaster becomes a national headline?
Panelists: Mike Doyle, Tom Torok, Joyce Karam…………….......Science Center 348
Break Out Session Slot 3
1:30 - 2:30 pm
Solid Questions – Conducting an interview can be one of the most challenging parts of being a journalist. It requires finesse and strategy to get the perfect sound bite to drive your story. In this panel you will learn from experienced media members how they approach each interview and what techniques they have developed over the years to get the information that they need.
Panelists: Peter MacLeod, Mike Doyle, Amy Worden…………….Science Center 348
The Future of Journalism - There has been a recent trend, especially amongst the cable news providers, to connect citizens closer to the news product they deliver by relying on average citizens to provide the content. Whether it’s a CNN iReport, reaction tweeted on Twitter, or the old fashion opinion article submitted to the local paper, people now have a wider variety of ways to become directly involved with their news and information. What is the next level of citizen engagement? What technologies are being developed to harness this connection amongst today’s consumers?
Panelists: Harry Deitz, Cindi Lash, Dick Hammerstrom……………...McCreary 202
Packaging the News - Television and radio news programs rely on the power of the package to convey information and to tell their stories. This panel will give you the basics for putting together perfect packages for both television and radio.
Panelists: John Baer, Jake Borrit, Mike Howells…………………..Science Center 200
Politics and Word Choice - Due to the sensitivity of many issues, writing and covering politics can be tricky. Words can greatly influence how your story is portrayed and presented. What should you take into consideration when covering politics? How important are the words that you choose? Come learn from a panel of experts who work in a variety of fields.
Panelists: Tom Torok, Nancy Nathan………………………………Science Center 300
Break Out Session Slot 4
2:30 - 3:30 pm
Thinking Local - Local newspapers and media outlets have always been part of the quintessential American community. In this era of the Internet and media saturation, how do local papers stay relevant in the eyes of the people who have always read them? What strategies are they adapting to still produce a quality product while dealing with the economic woes of dwindling readership?
Panelists: Cindi Lash, Dick Hammerstrom, Harry Deitz………Science Center 348
Political Pressures - What responsibility does a media organization have when covering the game of politics? What pressures do editors and producers put on their writers and contributors to produce entertaining content? What impact has this had on our democracy and will we ever be able to return to a reasonable debate?
Panelists: Joyce Karam, Mike Howells, Peter MacLeod………….Science Center 200
Flipping Channels – (New for this year.) While channel surfing, you suddenly stop on one station—why? How does the media catch your attention in a 24-hour news cycle? This panel will discuss the means by which media companies accentuate their content to attain maximum exposure.
Panelists: Nancy Nathan, Jake Borrit, Mike Doyle……………………..McCreary 202
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