Monday, September 18, 2006

Humboldt Media Accountability Forum This Thursday

The first in a series of forums on media accountability will be held this Thursday night, September 21, at 6pm. I will be participating in a panel discussion with various local media decision makers. We will gather in the studio at KHUM, which will be airing the discussion live at 104.3 and 104.7 in Humboldt, and streaming online at www.khum.com. The radio station put out a press release (below) on Friday calling the event a media roundtable and dubbing it "Media Talkback."

The idea for the event can be traced back to the June 6 CA Primary election when the Voter Confidence Committee held a press conference rejecting the election outcome and challenging the media not to report what can't be proven (unverifiable election results). That led to meetings with editors of both Eureka daily newspapers and then a pair of OpEds (T-S, Reporter).

In addition to election conditions, another theme I hope will be central to this event is he-said/she-said journalism, referred to in the press release below as "false balance." When I spoke to Eureka Reporter Editor Glenn Franco Simmons this morning to confirm his participation, he asked me what was meant by that. I did not pick that phrase but I know it came from conversations I've had with KHUM's Mike Dronkers about opinion being weighted equally with demonstrated fact. For example, here are three articles from the Eureka Times-Standard (1, 2, 3) in which I refer to either the law or a government report. In all cases, no effort is made to check the law or report. Fact becomes alleged fact and gets washed by the supposed balance of the opposing opinion.

Check this WDNC entry for more on the potential topics I'd like to see on Thursday.

* * *
9-15-06

For Immediate Release

Media Roundtable Discussion to Air on KHUM

Representatives from Humboldt County media will join a roundtable discussion on the issues concerning local media to air on 104.3 & 104.7 KHUM radio, September 21st at 6 p.m. The show is called "Media Talkback," hosted by KHUM Program Director and midday on-air personality Mike Dronkers.

Community members will have an opportunity to ask those participating in "Media Talkback" questions about how they shape local news, entertainment and information. Topics include false balance, what makes the news, and much more. Listeners may email or call the station with questions.

"People are always curious about the mechanics of media. By bringing together some of our local media makers, listeners can call in and get answers to questions they wouldn't normally be able to ask," said Dronkers.

Those participating in the roundtable discussion include Times-Standard Managing Editor Charles Winkler, KIEM-TV Station Manager Bob Browning, Eureka Reporter Managing Editor Glenn Franco Simmons, local blogger Dave Berman, KMUD News Director Estelle Fennell, Bicoastal Media Program Director Tom Sebourn, and Dronkers.

Listeners who have questions may contact roundtable participates by calling the KHUM request line at 707-786-5486 or by email at info@khum.com.

-33-


Jessica Bigger
Promotions Director
KHUM,KSLG, & KWPT(The Point)
Office: 707-786-5104
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