University College to host ‘Journalism in the Digital Age’ April 7

Panel discussion to examine how technology has transformed journalism

University College, the continuing education and professional studies division in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, will host a panel discussion titled “Journalism in the Digital Age: Anything Goes?” at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 7, in the Danforth University Center, Room 234.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public.

With WikiLeaks releasing thousands of classified diplomatic documents online and hundreds of observers using cell phones, Twitter and Facebook to document uprisings in the Middle East, the digital age has transformed journalism. A panel of journalism experts will examine:

  • Who determines professional standards, the quality of reporting, and the accuracy of information in online journalism?
  • Is anyone with a cell phone a potential citizen journalist, regardless of experience or editorial control?
  • What is “free speech” on the Internet and social media, and how have these influenced standards of journalism?
  • How do we sift through the layers of “news” and decide what to believe?

Panelists include:

  • Margaret Freivogel, founder and editor of Stlbeacon.org and former editor and reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch;
  • Kurt Greenbaum, regional editor of Patch.com and former social media editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch;
  • Joseph Martineau, JD, attorney at Lewis, Rice & Fingersh, who specializes in media and communications law; and
  • Richard Weiss, co-founder of WeissWrite, freelance journalist and former editor and reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Repps Hudson, co-coordinator of the Communications and Journalism Program at University College, will moderate.

Hudson’s professional background includes business columnist and reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; editorial writer for the Post-Dispatch, specializing in the Middle East, Asia, the Missouri General Assembly, and environmental and agricultural issues; and reporter and editorial writer for the Kansas City Times, where he was a co-recipient of the Pulitzer Prize in 1982 for local news reporting and commentary.

To RSVP, visit ucollege.wustl.edu/CJpanel.

About University College

Originally founded in 1853 to serve the diverse educational needs of the St. Louis area, Washington University continues to grow and thrive more than 150 years later. The first educational step of the fledgling university, on Oct. 22, 1854, was to establish an evening program. Washington University Extension, addressing the needs of local teachers, was begun in 1908, and, after much expansion and diversification, became University College in 1931.

Then and since, people of all ages attend Washington University through University College, earning associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, or certificates, or taking courses for personal enrichment. For more information about University College, visit ucollege.wustl.edu or call (314) 935-6700.