Learning
Muskies Attend City Club of Cleveland Free Speech Forum
ΘΛΚήΠΤ½» University journalism students attended the City Club of Clevelandβs Nov. 1, 2024 Annual Meeting and free speech forum.
J.W. Dennison β25, Katelyn Lindsey β26, and Assistant Professor of Communication Shawn Starcher were guests of ΘΛΚήΠΤ½» trustee Ruth Wasem β76.
The forum, βGetting Proximate and Local: The State of Free Speech, News, and Access to Information in our Communities,β featured Dale R. Anglin, Director of Press Forward. A national coalition, Press Forward is dedicated to strengthening local newsrooms, closing gaps in journalism coverage, and advancing public policy that expands access to local news.
βThis was a great opportunity for our students to reflect on what journalism used to be, how it is changing, what it looks like today, and how it might look in the future,β Dr. Starcher said.
For journalism major J.W. Dennison, Editor-in-Chief of ΘΛΚήΠΤ½»βs and Program Director of , the conversation sparked new ideas. βLearning about the issue of news deserts has me thinking about how I might play a role in addressing the lack of local news coverage as I begin my career. The creative solutions that communities across the country are using to support local journalism were very inspiring.β
Founded in 1912, the is one of the nationβs oldest continuous independent free speech forums. The non-partisan organization produces programs that convene leaders and engage citizens on critical issues.