May 20, 2010
6:00- 6:30 p.m. – Reception
6:30- 8:30 p.m. - Program
Academy of Natural Sciences
19th St and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Who will tell the people? Science and Sustainability in the news
Scientists who study the environment and global warming warn us at every turn that dramatic changes are afoot. Why don't the headlines of media convey a sense of urgency? What is the best way to get the message of climate change to citizens? What obligations do the media have? What prevents them from telling the story?
The May Urban Sustainability Forum will take a look at how the media covers issues of science, how shrinking budgets and disappearing science desks are impacting coverage, and how niche media sources are filling a void in sharing vital information.
Moderator: Sandy Shea, Daily News Editorial Page Editor
Speakers:
Beth McConnell, Executive Director of the Media and Democracy Coalition will be speaking on the topic of media consolidation and its effects on journalism, specifically sustainability.
Alex Mulcahy, President of Red Flag Media and Publisher of GRID magazine will share his local success story in starting up a magazine focused on sustainability in the Philadelphia region, the obstacles and achievements and how the role GRID and other niche media sources play in educating the public.
Keynote: Chris Mooney, 2009- 2010 Knight Science Journalism Fellow at MIT and author of three books, including Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens Our Future, co-authored by Sheril Kirshenbaum. They also write “The Intersection” together for Discover blogs.
In the past, Chris has also been visiting associate in the Center for Collaborative History at Princeton University, and is a contributing editor to Science Progress and a senior correspondent for The American Prospect magazine. He has been featured regularly by the national media, having appeared on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” CSPAN’s Book TV, and NPR’s Fresh Air With Terry Gross and Science Friday among many other television and radio programs.
Register today to confirm a seat.
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