5 key takeaways on civic dialogue and journalism from WHYY News summit
The conference boasted a full roster of local journalism experts who shared their thoughts on cultivating civic dialogue with audiences.
11 months ago
The WHYY News Civic News Summit features a fireside chat by JSK Fellow Candice Fortman. (Photo courtesy of WHYY)
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REGISTER: Please register for each day individually – Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5.
PANELISTS: Find all civic news summit speaker biographies here.
WHYY News hosts its second civic news conference to explore topics centered around connecting local communities to newsrooms. The two-day long conference will take place Friday, April 4 and Saturday, April 5.
The free event is a joint effort between WHYY News and Bridging Blocks, a partnership between WHYY and the Free Library of Philadelphia that aims to bring diverse households together to discuss relevant issues. Bridging Blocks is funded by Fred and Barbara Sutherland.
This year’s event, “WHYY News Civic Dialogue Summit: Connecting Local Communities,” will feature WHYY News staff and local independent journalists discussing best practices for community-centered journalism and how best to keep local communities engaged. Panelists will share strategies for working with neighborhood groups as a way to assist news coverage of diverse communities.
Registration is required to attend this free event. The program on both days is open to the public, and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at WHYY’s Philadelphia studios at 150 N. 6th St. The program is supported by the Every Voice, Every Vote initiative.
Friday’s program will be focused on connecting communities with the work local newsrooms are doing, along with sharing techniques for engaging in civic dialogue. Saturday’s schedule is centered around innovative newsgathering practices and the impact local journalists have on the community.
The conference will explore these panel topics:
See the detailed agenda:
Friday, April 4
8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast Meet-N-Greet and Welcome
9:30-10:30 a.m. PANEL 1
Title: Civic News Connects Communities
Hear how local journalists and civic leaders are creating news that engages communities in public debate and supports our democracy.
Moderator:
Panelists:
Video: “Free Speech“ – WHYY’s Your Democracy Series powered by the Sutherland Family
10:35-11:15 a.m. PANEL 2
Fireside Chat: Bill Marrazzo and Fred Sutherland
WHYY President and CEO Bill Marrazzo sits down with philanthropist Fred Sutherland and Tony Cuffie, WHYY’s senior manager for community engagement, for a conversation about supporting and funding civic dialogue activities.
Moderator:
Panelists:
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PANEL 3
Title: Press Forward & Funding Best Practices
Learn about local news funding best practices including Press Forward, a new nationwide philanthropic initiative supporting local news.
Moderator:
Panelists:
12:30-1:30 p.m. Networking Lunch
1:30-2:30 p.m. PANEL 4
Title: Funding Local News
It is vital to fund great journalism for local communities. This panel discusses how local philanthropy supports the flow of news information to audiences.
Moderator:
Panelists:
2:30-3:30 p.m. PANEL 5
Title: Why We Need Civic Dialogue
Bridging the divides of a polarized community requires bringing people together. Join this conversation to discover how local institutions and gatekeepers are creating space for meaningful dialogue.
Moderator:
Panelists:
3:30-4:30 p.m. PANEL 6
Title: The Impact of Student Journalism
In many communities, student journalists are the only reporters on the beat. Hear from both students and their advisors as they share the promises and challenges of their roles in the news ecosystem.
Moderator:
Panelists:
4:30 p.m. WRAP UP
Saturday, April 5
8:45 to 9:30 a.m. Registration, Breakfast Meet-N-Greet and Welcome
9:30-10:20 a.m. PANEL 1
Title: Bridging Blocks: Host Your Own Civic Discussions
Partake in an exercise and learn how to lead courageous conversations amongst community members and explore how to effectively disseminate fact-based news and information in an engaging manner in service to your local audiences.
10:20-11:20 a.m. PANEL 2
Title: Crowdsourcing Engaged Journalism
With so many sources of information available on a variety of platforms and media, panelists will focus on proven ways to distinguish facts from partial truths.
Moderator:
Panelists:
11:20-11:30 a.m. BREAK
11:30-12:20 p.m. PANEL 3
Title: Fireside Chat with Rebecca Neuwirth of Documented
Learn how Documented, a unique news startup, is engaging local and national audiences with a focus on covering immigrant communities, community engagement and public service journalism.
Moderator:
Panelist:
12:30-1:30 p.m. Networking lunch
1:30-2:30 p.m. PANEL 4
Title: EVEV: Civic news fuels local news innovation
Every Voice, Every Vote is a citywide initiative that represents more than 70 nonprofit organizations and newsrooms working under the EVEV banner on a myriad of projects that engage Philadelphians and provide the latest news reporting on pressing issues that impact the city.
Moderator:
Panelists:
2:30-3:20 p.m. PANEL 5
Title: Fireside Chat with Candice Fortman of JSK Fellowships
Join this engaging conversation on the impact of civic journalism on local communities and how newsrooms may parlay technology in service to their audiences with the goal of keeping up with a news cycle that never sleeps.
Moderator:
Panelist:
3:20-3:30 p.m. BREAK
3:30-4:30 p.m. PANEL 6
Title: N.I.C.E. and Building Engaged Journalism Models
Independent journalists and mediamakers are on the frontlines of gathering news and reflecting a range of community perspectives that are at times overlooked by traditional media publishers. WHYY’s N.I.C.E. partners share how their roles are evolving to meet the moment.
Moderator:
Panelists:
4:30 to 5 p.m. Closing Remarks & Networking Mixer