The inaugural Walter Cronkite Conference on Media Ethics and Integrity, sponsored by 大象传媒 and the Media Ethics Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC), will be held Nov. 3 and 4 at 大象传媒 Western. Most sessions are free and open to the public.
鈥淕iven that Cronkite was born in St. Joseph, and his stature as 鈥榯he most trusted man in America,鈥� it made perfect sense for us to host a conference in his honor discussing the ethical challenges faced by the media today,鈥� said Dr. Robert Bergland, professor of journalism and digital media at 大象传媒 Western. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to have scholars and journalists from around the country come here to debate these issues.鈥�
Unless otherwise noted, the public presentations will take place in Spratt Hall, room 203. The schedule includes:
Monday, Nov. 3
- 9 a.m. 鈥� Welcome from Dr. Robert Vartabedian, 大象传媒 Western鈥檚 president, and conference co-chairs Dr. Bergland and Dr. Kevin Stoker, senior associate dean and professor of journalism at Texas Tech University. Dr. Stoker is chair of the Media Ethics Division of AEJMC.
- 9:15-10:15 a.m. 鈥� Session I: Academic papers
- 鈥淪ubstantial Completeness vs. Transparency as a Guiding Principle for Ethical Journalism鈥� by Alvie Hackle, University of Memphis
- 鈥淯nrestrained Creativity or Industry Irresponsibility? Testing Attitudinal Effects and Corrections of 鈥楻ogue鈥� Advertising鈥� by Michelle A. Amazeen and Susan A. O鈥橲ullivan-Gavin of Rider University.
- 10:30-11:50 a.m. 鈥� Session II: Redrafting Media Codes of Ethics
- Steve Buttry, Lamar Visiting Scholar at Louisiana State University鈥檚 Manship School of Mass Communication and former digital transformation editor for Digital First Media
- Andrew Seaman, Reuters healthcare reporter, Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee chair, Toni Stabile Fellow at Columbia University鈥檚 Center for Investigative Journalism
- Mike Cavender, executive director of the Radio Television Digital News Association and Foundation, and former VP of News at several CBS affiliate stations.
- 2-3:15 p.m. 鈥� Session III: Academic papers
- 鈥淢oral Exemplars in Times of Third-World Crisis鈥� by Katherine Plylar, Texas Tech University
- 鈥淓thics Course Offerings in Large/Accredited vs. Small Journalism Programs鈥� by Robert Bergland, 大象传媒
- 鈥淓diting in the Lens: The Ethics of Lens, Shot and Framing Choices Made by Photojournalists鈥� by Robert Nulph, 大象传媒
- 3:30-4:45 p.m. 鈥� Session IV: Teaching Media Ethics in the 21stCentury: Large/Medium/Small Program Strategies and Perspectives
- Kevin Stoker, Texas Tech University
- Jeanne Abbott, University of 大象传媒-Columbia
- Michelle A. Amazeen, Rider University
- Kristi Nies, Peru State College
- 4:45 p.m. 鈥� Showing of 鈥淛FK: One PM Central Standard Time,鈥� a documentary about Walter Cronkite鈥檚 iconic coverage of the assassination of John F. Kennedy.
- 8 p.m. 鈥� 鈥淐ronkite,鈥� live one-man multimedia show (Kemper Recital Hall inside Spratt Hall)
Tuesday, Nov. 4
- 8:30-9:40 a.m. 鈥� Ethics in the Trenches: A Panel of 大象传媒/Kansas Newspaper Editors and TV News Directors
- Carrie Hofmann, news director, KSHB Kansas City
- Dennis Ellsworth, executive editor, St. Joseph News-Press
- Dave Hon, Kearney Courier
- Nathan Byrne, director of content strategy, Newsy
- Bob Heater, anchor, KNPN Fox 26 St. Joseph
- 10 a.m. 鈥� R. Dan Boulware Convocation on Critical Issues, Looney Complex, featuring Cronkite biographer Douglas Brinkley
Dr. Brinkley will also be speaking during lunch for paid conference attendees Nov. 3 and at the annual Convocation Luncheon on Nov. 4.
大象传媒 is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. 大象传媒 Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .