Conference: Advocacy Journalism in the Digital Age

Guest: Ted Leonsis, keynote speaker

"Everyone is a journalist now. Individuals will become their own media companies," Internet pioneer Ted Leonsis told an overflowing room of journalists and social activists attending the "Advocacy Journalism in the Digital Age" conference at the Newseum's Knight Conference Center on March 1.

Leonsis, chairman, CEO and majority owner of Monumental Sports and Entertainment, was the keynote speaker of the daylong conference that discussed advocacy opportunities created by new technology. Leonsis added that he saw a "huge reinvention and reinvigoration" of local media.

Panelists discussed ways that advocacy journalism tells the stories that financially strapped traditional media outlets are unable to report.

Stéphane Dujarric, director of news and media at the United Nations, stressed the importance of partnerships and said that advocacy organizations must "have the strength" to put themselves in the background and the issues in the foreground.

Sandy Close of New America Media pointed to a fragmented society that leaves many communities and issues uncovered, even with new technology.

"We need reporting that connects us to a broad terrain of fragmented groups," she said.

Panelists also addressed the importance of trust and credibility and highlighted advocacy campaigns that worked.

The conference was made possible by a generous gift from the Ford Foundation in conjunction with the Newseum and the American University School of Communication.

By Andrea Silen, assistant Web writer

Welcome

Panel 1 - Advocacy Journalism Today: Where are we?

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Wendy Hanamura

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Susanah Vila

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Jon Sawyer

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Stéphane Dujarric

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Bob Sipchen

Panel 2 - Case Studies: What works, and how? What does "success" look like?
Patrick Meier

Keynote - Ted Leonsis

Panel 3 - Earning Trust/Credibility