Do We Need Journalists?

December 8, 2020 | 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm (Online)

Dr. Jacqui Lowman will be leading a virtual interactive session in which we talk about what constitutes news. How can we tell if something is fake news or real? How can we be smart news consumers? What are our responsibilities? We will also talk about what makes people journalists. Do they need training? Do they need a network of resources? Should they be impartial? Can they be? Should they be independent and non-partisan? What’s the difference between a talk-show host and a journalist? Do we need journalists or can we just get everything that we need by consuming the blogs, tweets and Facebook feeds that we follow?

We will talk about how, to many journalists, journalism is a sacred calling. In many countries (and even the U.S., to some extent), reporting the news can put the reporters at risk. It is no coincidence that when forces seek to overthrow governments, one of the first things they do is seize the press to restrict coverage of what they are doing. Every year, many journalists die trying to bring us the truth. Many more are imprisoned.

Registration is Required.  Click Here to Register.   or by calling 978-465-4428 x 242. 
This event will be held on Zoom. A link will be sent to participants the day before the program.

Jacqui Lowman PhD. has been a professional communicator since her adolescent years. She has worked in a broad array of venues, from commercial publishing and journalism to academia. The one area that she loves even more than communicating is teaching and guiding others to do so, to help them realize their communication gifts. As founder of and chief instructor in the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s professional communication and journalism program, she has ample opportunity to do just that. The program specializes in marketing, branding and advocacy. The beautiful rural surroundings foster resilient, creative people.