Upcoming

While the dominant platforms have changed, journalists continue to see social media as critical in shaping personal brands, expanding reach and showcasing work to new audiences. Mastering these tools, however, has proven to be a formidable challenge. In the midst of ever-changing algorithms, fleeting platforms that fall just as quickly as they rise and unpredictable ownership changes, newsrooms are finding themselves in a constant state of trial and error. Already constrained by limited time and resources, reporters and editors have little room to craft an effective social strategy. And on a timeline saturated with entertainers and influencers, how can journalists successfully engage an audience when their primary goal is to inform?

Building upon the insights shared in last year’s session focusing on leveraging Social Media as a Powerful Audience Development Tool, our moderator and panelists will discuss how top newsrooms across the nation are embracing social media in their overarching strategy — and how they’re managing to transform casual viewers into devoted subscribers and readers.

Panelists
Jennifer Hefty, director of audience for local newsrooms, USA TODAY Network Kyla Scanlon, founder, Bread

Moderator
Carrie Brown, associate professor of journalism, Montclair State University

The Reynolds Center will spotlight the recipients of the top prizes of the Barlett and Steele Awards at an event on Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. MST in the First Amendment Forum at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication in Downtown Phoenix.

Gold winners from the 2024 Barlett and Steele Awards will discuss their extraordinary investigations, from the inspiration to the challenges and the impact their reporting had on the public. This year’s guests include the Outstanding Young Journalist for her investigation into a sale-leaseback company, an AP reporter whose series was able to link some of the biggest American food corporations to prison labor, and two representatives of the multi-station team that uncovered the immense toll Social Security repayment demands have on some of the nation’s most vulnerable families.

Guests include:
Margie Mason – The Associated Press
Jodie Fleschier – Cox Media Group
David Hilzenrath – KFF Health News
Caitlin Thompson – NPR
Nicole Einbinder – Business Insider