2^nd Annual CEPL Public Ethics Conference:

“The Ethics of Politics and the Press”

November 13-14, 2013

In a democracy the relationship between those who occupy the halls of power and the free press is both fundamentally symbiotic and deeply antagonistic. Neither can operate without the cooperation of the other, yet their aims and purposes often collide. Currently, new technologies and an explosion of ideologically biased media outlets are revolutionizing how citizens come to view the political situation and how politicians can run afoul of or manipulate the press, as well as side-step traditional media outlets entirely via their own social media channels. Additionally, recent events have called much-needed attention to the delicate balance of national security vs. the ideal of an open society. One of CEPL’s ongoing missions is to engender a well functioning political process by fostering open and productive dialogues on important and often overlooked issues that affect how democracy works in Missouri. Therefore this conference is designed as an interdisciplinary event to bring together politicians and political actors from both sides of the aisle (staff, consultants, administrators, lobbyists), the media (print, broadcast and new media), academics, lawyers, and the public to foster a broad and inclusive discussion on media and politics.

8:30-9:00 Registration

9:00-9:20 Introductory Remarks

9:20-10:15 Dr. Natalie Jomini Stroud will anchor our extended session on the subject of Media Biases. Dr. Stroud is an Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Assistant Director of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Participation at the University of Texas at Austin. Her recent book, Niche News: The Politics of News Choice (Oxford University Press, 2011) explores the causes, consequences, and prevalence of partisan selective exposure, the preference for likeminded political information. Niche News received the International Communication Association's 2012 Outstanding Book Award.  Stroud's work on selective exposure has received several additional awards, including the Michael Pfau Outstanding Article Award from the National Communication Association and the K. Kyoon Hur Award from the International Communication Association. Dr. Stroud will be speaking on the most recent research into the nature, prevalence, and effect of a variety of media biases.

10:20-11:15 A distinguished panel of Missourians from the political sphere (officials, staff, consultants, administrators, lobbyists) and media personalities (print, broadcast, new media) will dissect and debate the question of media biases in relation to their own experiences with Missouri politics.

11:25-12:20 Dr. William Freivogel will anchor a “Debate on the Proposed National Reporter’s Shield Law.” It is a common, yet false, belief that reporters are legally shielded from having to reveal their sources. This is an especially acute issue when the materials in question are classified. The truth about the reporter’s privilege is much more complicated, which makes the current debate about a national shield law very important and complex. Currently the Director of the SIUC School of Journalism, Dr. Freivogel spent 34 award-winning (too many to list) years reporting and editing for the Post-Dispatch. He is a graduate of Washington University Law School and a member of the Missouri Bar.

12:20-1:15 Lunch

1:15-2:30 Our keynote speaker is nationally renowned journalist Jeremy Scahill who will be speaking on “The Role of the Press in the Global War on Terror.” Mr Scahill’s reporting on global U.S. military activities, both overt and covert, has earned him two George Polk awards (among others), and a national reputation as a speaker of truth to power, no matter which party is currently in office. His most recent book “Dirty Wars” (and the accompanying movie which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival) uncovers the global reach and consequences of clandestine anti-terrorist military activities that began under president Bush and have been expanded under president Obama. This reporting has earned him both admiration and ire from every end of the political spectrum.

2:40-3:35 Dr. Lance Bennett will anchor our extended session on the subject of “New Media and Politics.” Dr. Bennett is currently Ruddick C. Lawrence Professor Communication and Professor of Political Science at University of Washington. He is also founder and director of the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement and author of numerous books, the most recent of which is When the Press Fails: Political Power and the News Media from Iraq to Katrina (Chicago, with Regina Lawrence and Steven Livingston). Dr. Entman will be discussing how new electronic media are transforming the landscape of political reporting, information dissemination and organizing.

3:40-4:40 A distinguished panel of Missourians from the political sphere (officials, staff, consultants, administrators, lobbyists) and media personalities (print, broadcast, new media) will dissect and debate the question of new media and politics in relation to their own experiences with Missouri politics.

Conference Sponsors

Presented by the University’s Center for Ethics in Public Life, in cooperation with the University's Public Policy Administration Program and The Department of Political Science

 The Conference Showcased Supporters And Opponents, Academics And Activists On Both Sides Of The Issue.

Post Dispatch covers Center for Ethics on Public Life's Term Limits Conference. See the article

 Beacon covers Center for Ethics on Public Life's Term Limits Conference. See the article

The Center Organized An Episode Of "St. Louis On the Air" On Term Limits Oct. 4th. Listen here

Links To Presentations

Dr. Marjorie Sarbaugh - Thompson, Click Here

Dr. Thad Kousser, Click Here

Dr. David Valentine, Click Here

2012 Term Limits:  Conference Outcomes, Click Here

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