The Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media will present a symposium entitled “Thwarting the Emergence of News Deserts,” on Tuesday, March 28, at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
The program for this symposium will be centered around Penny Abernathy’s groundbreaking report, The Rise of a New Media Baron and The Emerging Threat of News Deserts.
Itinerary
“Thwarting the Emergence of News Deserts”
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Newseum, Washington, D.C.
10:30 a.m.
Coffee & Pastries
11 a.m.
Welcome
Susan King, dean, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
11:10-11:30 a.m.
A conversation with Penny Muse Abernathy, Knight chair in journalism and digital media economics, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Prof. Abernathy will discuss her groundbreaking report, The Rise of the New Media Barons and the Threat of News Deserts. Over the past decade, a new media baron has emerged. Private equity funds, hedge funds and investment groups have swooped in to buy and manage newspapers. With the industry in distress and publishers struggling to adapt to the digital age, many communities are in danger of losing their primary source of local news and information. This report explores the long-ranging social, economic and political impact of this shift in ownership.
Moderator:
Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor, PBS NewsHour
11:30-12:30 p.m.
Panel discussion: Challenges of News Deserts and Ideas for the Future
Moderator:
Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor, PBS NewsHour
Panelists:
Bill Church, senior vice president of news, GateHouse Media
Walter Hussman, publisher, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Michael Oreskes, senior vice president of news and editorial director, NPR
Geneva Overholser, senior fellow, Democracy Fund
Ryan Thornburg, associate professor and director, Reese News Lab, UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media
12:30-1:45 p.m.
Luncheon
With remarks from Jennifer Preston, Vice President/Journalism, Knight Foundation, on her vision for Knight’s commitment to local news. Ms. Preston also will engage the audience on key challenges.
Location
Knight Broadcast Studio at the Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C.
Please enter through the Group Entrance located on C street.
Parking instructions can be found here: newseum.org