PULLMAN, Wash. – The changing global face of journalism will be closely examined as part of the 39th Murrow Symposium, hosted by The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.
The symposium will be April 2-3 in Pullman and April 4 in Seattle. Former NBC News anchor John Seigenthaler, now the main anchor for emerging television news channel Al Jazeera America (AJAM), will participate, as will former CBS News executive Marcy McGinnis, who heads up news operations for AJAM.
“Too often, our view of the world is shaped by foreign news sources,” said Murrow founding dean Lawrence Pintak. “For this year’s symposium, we hope to offer an honest examination of the state of global journalism today.”
Following a panel discussion, a keynote address by Eric Newton of the Knight Foundation will focus on the evolution of U.S. coverage of international news. His address, “Before Al Jazeera America: The Unlikely Success of Mosaic,” will show how a daily news program first offered for free on LinkTV opened the door to development of an entirely new cable news channel, Al Jazeera America.
Also highlighting this year’s symposium will be the return of a pair of Murrow graduates, turned filmmakers, who bring their documentary, “Why We Ride,” to the Pullman campus. The film has been shown nationwide and will be screened for free.
The symposium will kick off with a special evening to induct Murrow’s most accomplished alumni into the Murrow Hall of Achievement. Three top alums – Kerry Brock, Bertha Lynn and Beth Tuura – will return to campus to receive this prestigious honor. A list of professional workshops will also be highlighted (watch for a full listing).
Schedule of events:
Wednesday, April 2 (Pullman)
- 5 p.m. Hall of Achievement Program and Reception
- 7 p.m. “Why We Ride” documentary presentation
Thursday, April 3 (Pullman)
- 9:10 a.m.–noon and 1:30–4 p.m. Professional Coaching
- 9:10 a.m.–noon and 1:30–4 p.m. Meet the Pros Workshops
- 4:30 pm (Goertzen Communication Addition 21) Murrow Symposium Panel “The Global Face of Journalism” featuring network news executive Marcy McGinnis and news anchor John Seigenthaler from the cable news network Al Jazeera America
- 6 p.m. (Goertzen Communication Addition 21) Murrow Symposium Keynote Speaker Eric Newton, Knight Foundation
Friday, April 4 (Seattle)
- 5 p.m. (Rainier Club) Murrow Interview with John Siegenthaler, hosted by Dean Pintak