An upcoming symposium will let community members learn about the sea changes in journalism nationwide and then let them tell the region’s news gatherers what kind of news they want — and how they want it delivered.

The goal is to have readers, viewers and listeners help chart a new course towards a model of journalism that is accountable, innovative and sustainable.

The Aug. 8 evening event at Loyola University’s Nunemaker Auditorium will bring together top journalism researchers and practitioners.

It will be the kick-off event to a weekslong survey period to let news consumers across the region speak out. Information gathered from the forum and surveys will lead to a report, providing the region’s news-gathering institutions with feedback to help guide coverage in ways that meet audience’s needs.

Given the shifting media scene in the region, the New Orleans Coalition on Open Governance and three co-sponsors want to ensure news outlets consider audience input as they make changes. Co-sponsoring the event are the Foundation for Louisiana; GNO, Inc.; and Loyola’s School of Mass Communication. The Lens is a member of the Coalition on Open Governance.

The panelists for the event are:

The event will be from 7 to 9 p.m., with a reception beginning at 6:30. The reception and event are free and open to the public.
For those who can’t make it in person, it will be live on The Lens’ website, and the video will be archived for later viewing.
Click here for the full news release.

Steve Beatty is the publisher and chief executive officer of The Lens. He worked as an editor for The Times-Picayune for 15 years, leaving New Orleans just before Katrina to take a position as an editor...