Critical Conversations with Richard Stengel: The Pearl Journalism Forum

The Pearl Journalism Forum 2017: Finding Truth in the 21^st Century will involve a moderated panel discussion with local journalists on the issue of media literacy and media consumption. Independent journalism and freedom of press are fundamental pillars of democracy as they act as checks and balances over the ones who govern. However, increasingly more news sources have been bypassing journalistic procedures and contributing to the decline of journalistic standards and ethics. Such practices allow for a large increase in circulation of distorted or false information with an intent not to report objective data-driven information, but to sway and influence news consumers.

Hector Becerra (LA Times)- A native Angeleno who grew up in Boyle Heights, Hector Becerra’s first foray into journalism was as the editor of the University Times at Cal State Los Angeles. Becerra was part of the team of reporters that won the Pulitizer Prize’s Public Service award for their coverage of the city of Bell corruption scandal. He is now the morning assignment editor for the California section.

Shirley Jahad (NPR/PBS)- is an award winning major market public media anchor, reporter and producer in Los Angeles and previously Chicago. Jahad covers stories focusing on underserved communities and how they intersect with criminal justice, health care, politics, social services and cultural issues.

Andre Mouchard (OC Register)- Features Editor for the Orange County Register. Andre Mouchard has worked at the Register for the past 20 years, and his beat is political reporting, California, and Orange County news.

Jihii Jolly (News Deeply)- Community Editor at News Deeply, a network of single-subject information hubs, where she focuses on issues affecting women and girls in the developing world. Jolly has written and produced stories for the Columbia Journalism Review, and The Atlantic. She holds a Masters Degree from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and a Bachelor’s Degree from Soka University of America.

Jamie Altman (The Panther)- Altman is a senior at Chapman University, where she studies broadcast journalism and public relations. She is editor-in-chief of Chapman University’s student run newspaper, The Panther, which won Best Newspaper at the California College Media. Association awards last March. Jamie has helped The Panther tackle stories about sexual assault, mental health and the political climate on a college campus.

Location: Pauling Hall 216
Date: Wednesday 11/1 at 4:30PM