Philly Event to Consider News Literacy

As Americans continue to lose faith in the fourth estate, Temple University's Media Education Lab hopes to bring some thoughtful engagement to the topic—especially for those who work with our youngest citizens. For three days this week, Oct. 23–25, educators, journalists, researchers, and all those interested are invited to Philadelphia for "Rebooting the News: Reconsidering an Agenda for American Civic Education." The goal? To finds ways to bring young people back into a civic mindset—helping them learn how to navigate the news in ways that make them feel more connected to their world. At this so-called "informal" convention, organizers hope people will discover new ways to involve students in conversations about the news—by learning how to critique and even create their own media. News professionals can also trade details on newsroom practices that may—or may not—be effective, including the role of Web 2.0. And ideally, everyone will help craft talking points for the presidential candidates on the idea of how civic education needs to grow, as well as help to lay the groundwork to launch a news-literacy initiative, expected to take off in 2009. Ellen Hume from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Center for Future Civic Media, along with Renee Hobbs, a professor with the Media Education Lab, are among the participants. So far, attendees include journalism professors, students, researchers, and news professionals in radio, online, and print. For many students and K–12 teachers in the area, there's almost no reason not to attend as teachers get a dramatically reduced rate of $50 for all three days, and high school students get in for free.

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?