Town Hall Events
Join us for educational and engagement opportunities with a focus on the rights and responsibilities of journalists and communication professionals in a time of crisis.
In the days following the death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 while in the custody of Minneapolis Police officers, peaceful and violent protests erupted in Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN. Numerous local, national and international journalists provided live coverage of the protests as they took place. Despite being exempted from curfew requirements, reporters faced arrest, detention, and physical assault by Minneapolis Police, Minnesota State Patrol troopers, and the National Guard.
The Hubbard School developed several Town Hall events to help educate the public on the roles and responsibilities of media professionals during this time.
Below are the webinars held during the summer of 2020.
Past Town Hall Events
Covering Protests: First Amendment Protections and Responsibilities Afforded Journalists
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
12-1 p.m.
A discussion led by Hubbard School faculty on the topic of First Amendment law and ethics. What rights and responsibilities do journalists have to cover protests?
Jane Kirtley, Silha Professor of Media Ethics and Law and Director of the Silha Center for the Study of Media Ethics and Law
Chris Ison, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Elisia Cohen, Director and Professor
Ethical Public Relations, Press Conferences, and Public Engagement During Crisis (co-sponsored by Minnesota PRSA)
Friday, June 5, 2020
12-1:30 p.m.
What roles do press conferences and public relations play during a crisis?
Amy O’Connor, Associate Professor
Stacey Kanihan, Associate Professor of Strategic Communication and Academic Director of the Professional MA Program in Strategic Communication
Marsha Pitts-Phillips, President & Founder, MRPP & Associates Communications, member of Twin Cities Black Journalists (TCBJ), Diversity and Inclusion Officer for Minnesota PRSA and Hubbard School Diversity Fellow
Stan Alleyne, Chief Communications Officer, Vitals Aware Services
Tom Jollie, Senior Vice President, Padilla and past president of Minnesota PRSA
Alberto Monserrate, Co-Founder CEO, NewPublica
Capturing Crisis: Photojournalists talk ethics, safety and professionalism
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
12-1 p.m.
Co-sponsored with Minnesota SPJ
Photojournalists discuss working during COVID, covering protests, privacy issues, their roles in the age of cell phones, and more.
Moderated by Regina McCombs, Hubbard School Senior Fellow
Panelists include:
Jerry Holt, Star Tribune
Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune
Liz Flores, Star Tribune
Rich Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune
Ellen Schmidt, Las Vegas Review Journal
Evan Frost, MPR News
Unrest: The Challenge of Live Coverage
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
1:30-2:30 p.m.
Local broadcast professionals talk about covering live events.
Moderated by Scott Libin, Hubbard School Senior Fellow
Panelists include:
Julie Nelson, KARE-11
Tom Aviles, WCCO
Norman Seawright, WCCO
Reliable Reporting: Ethical Considerations in Covering Civil Unrest
Thursday, June 11, 2020
12-1 p.m.
Co-sponsored with Minnesota SPJ
Panelists will discuss the practical issues of getting the story, covering racism and crime during times of crisis or unrest.
Moderated by Chris Ison, Hubbard School Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
Panelists include:
Duchesne Drew, Minnesota Public Radio
Andy Mannix, Star Tribune
Liz Sawyer, Star Tribune
Chao Xiong, Star Tribune
Dr. Lanier Holt, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University
Covering Communities Through and Beyond the Unrest
Thursday, June 11, 2020
2-3 p.m.
Co-sponsored with Twin Cities Black Journalists and Minnesota SPJ
Journalists discuss what it's like to cover the communities in which they live, and about the representation of minority, underserved and vulnerable populations in the news.
Moderated by Gayle Golden, Hubbard School Senior Lecturer, Morse-Alumni Distinguished University Teacher
Panelists include:
Harry Colbert, Jr., North News
Mukhtar Ibrahim, Sahan Journal
Mel Reeves, Spokesman-Recorder
Matt Sepic, MPR
Madeleine Baran, APM Reports