A panel discussion on Oct. 1, focused on the interaction between news media and social media, will highlight local activities that are part of a national effort to spotlight the role played by the news media in a democratic society.
Oct. 1 has been designated as News Engagement Day (NED) this year by the national journalism/mass communication educators’ organization that sponsors it. More detailed information is available on the NED website (http://www.newsengagement.org/welcome/).
The idea behind NED is to get students and others in the community involved in some way with the news media, preferably leading to a greater understanding of their role in helping to develop an informed citizenry. NED began in 2014 on campuses that housed journalism and communication programs and has grown into a world-wide event.
Its website says that NED is intended to “promote understanding about the principles and processes of journalism in a democratic society.” It notes further that “people of all ages across the globe are encouraged to read, watch, listen to and discuss news, and share News Engagement Day activities,” using the hashtag “#newsengagementday.”
In the Chippewa Valley the event will be marked by a 7 p.m. panel discussion at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave. in Eau Claire. The program, titled “Is There News Beyond Social Media?”, is free and open to the public.
The panel will focus on how the social media phenomenon has impacted news and the process of vetting it before passing it on to the public. Related topics that may be discussed include the shrinking of the former 72-hour news cycle to eight hours or less now, and what this means for both news producers and consumers.
The program will also include an opportunity for Chippewa Valley news consumers to comment on what they want in their local news media that isn’t being provided now. Representatives from local news media outlets are being invited to attend and discuss that topic with members of their audiences.
The Oct. 1 program is being co-sponsored by Wisconsin Public Radio, the Chippewa Valley Post and Grace Lutheran Church. It will follow up on a Sept. 23 broadcast of “The West Side” on WPR’s Ideas Network stations, where the status and role of journalism in western Wisconsin communities will be discussed.
That broadcast can be heard at 10 a.m. on 88.3 WHWC-FM (Menomonie-Eau Claire) and 88.7 WRFW-FM (River Falls). More details about the Oct. 1 program in Eau Claire will be announced when the list of panelists has been finalized.