National conference to address restoring trust in journalism

OXFORD, Miss. — An urgent national conference to address restoring trust in American journalism is to be held at the University of Mississippi in mid-April.

The speakers scheduled for the April 17 conference include: Brian Stelter, CNN’s chief media analyst; Rufus Friday, executive director of the Center for Integrity in News Reporting and the former publisher of the Lexington Herald-Leader; Graeme Joffee, investigative sports journalist; Professor Kathy Kiely of the Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri; Ellen McCarthy, who is the founder/CEO of the Trust in Media Cooperative and a former U.S. assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research; André Natta, executive director of the Alabama Initiative for Independent Journalism; and Vivian Walker, co-president of the Public Diplomacy Council of America, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University and former executive director of the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

The event, titled “How the News Media Can Regain Public Trust,” will be hosted by the Jordan Center for Journalism Advocacy and Innovation, located at the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media in Oxford.

“Our discussions will focus on solutions to the credibility crisis facing journalism at a time when false information is flourishing, accountability is withering and reporters find themselves under attack from political leaders, including the president of the United States and others across the ideological spectrum,” said Steven L Herman, executive director of the Jordan Center and a former White House bureau chief for the Voice of America.

“It’s unusual to have this caliber of experts together at the same time and place. It promises a rich and nuanced discussion and exchange of ideas,” said Professor Andrea Hickerson, dean of the University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media.

Registration for the event, which will be free for journalists, academics, civic leaders and students, will go online in early March.

For further information, contact Steven Herman at the Jordan Center: StevenH@OleMiss.edu
202-643-0510