Democracy’s Defenders: Inside Journalism Series

Our free press has always been a shining beacon for the rest of the world and the last bastion against governmental overreach. In today’s overload of news and information, within the vortex of a 24/7 news cycle, how do we know who and what to believe. The role of today’s journalists has become not only to inform, it is to identify the false and clarify the misleading.

Our panel of outstanding Tampa Bay journalists will discuss the current state of play in their newsrooms and the daily battle for the truth, followed by audience Q & A.

Moderator: Pamela Varkony – Writer/commentator/Woman’s Advocate

Panelists:
Ernest Hooper has served the readers of the Tampa Bay Times for more than 25 years. He’s handled a variety of roles during that span, and currently works as a metro columnist and an assistant sports editor. Hooper, also hosts “That’s All I’m Saying,” a public affairs show on WEDU-PBS.

Shannon Behnken is an investigative consumer reporter for WFLA-TV, News Channel 8. Through her franchise, Better Call Behnken, she regularly helps viewers with consumer issues and scams. Her work has exposed government mistakes that cost taxpayers money and shed light on fraudulent activity that led to several criminal prosecutions. Her stories have been recognized with state and national awards.

Katie Sanders is the managing editor of PolitiFact. Previously, she fact-checked talking heads and opinion-shapers for PunditFact as well as the Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott for PolitiFact Florida, reporting from the Tallahassee bureau of the Tampa Bay Times and Miami Herald. She is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she majored in English and journalism.

Wayne Garcia is a USF Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications, award-winning political journalist and educator, working in Florida newspapers, colleges and campaigns for 25 years.

Tuition: FREE – Space is limited –Registration Recommended