Sept. 5, 2019
Keynote: S.E. Cupp
Communications and Civility in Our Democracy
Sept. 6, 2019
Keynote: Leslie Gaines-Ross
Civility in America: A Nationwide Survey
Gauging Americans’ attitudes toward civility in a variety of areas impacting society and daily life
Panel Discussion: Covering Controversial Issues
How media can help maintain civility and encourage civil discourse
Moderator: Rheya Spigner, KCCI-TV anchor and host of the Project CommUNITY series
Panelists:
- Anne Hillman, freelance journalist, formerly of Alaska Public Media
- Kathie Obradovich, opinion editor, Des Moines Register
- Monica Schneider, CLTV anchor and WGN reporter, Chicago
Panel Discussion: Keeping Audiences Intact
How incivility is decreasing our ability to connect with audiences, and how we can fix it
Moderator: Melissa Inman, vice president, digital content strategy and operations, Meredith Corporation
Panelists:
- Karla Armendariz, Hispanic marketing consultant and consumer specialist
- Lolly Bowean, Chicago Tribune reporter on urban affairs and minority communities
- Rob Yarin, VP, Content Strategy and Research, Cox Media Group
Panel Discussion: Navigating Discredit and Disbelief
The origin of misinformation and evolution of distrust – and how we as media and marketers can regain trust among our audiences
Moderator: Joseph Jones, executive director, The Harkin Institute
Panelists:
- Aleksander Dardeli, executive vice president, IREX
- Chuck Kaiser, general manager, Edelman U.S. Public Affairs
- Sandy Pudar, assistant news director, WGN Chicago
Panel Discussion: Civility and the Upcoming Election Cycle
How press will be viewed and treated; how much advertising money will be spent; how uncivil things may get; how that all affects our professions
Moderator: Walker McKusick, national director, Vote Smart
Panelists:
- Noor Naseer, senior director, media innovations and technology for Centro
- Dave Price, WHO-TV political director and anchor, and author of the “Caucus Chaos” book series
- Travis Ridout, distinguished professor of government and public policy, Washington State University; co-director of the Wesleyan Media Project
Closing Session: Congressional Investigations and Hearings
How we get to the truth in a civil manner
Moderator: Kevin Cooney, former anchor, KCCI-TV
Panelists:
- Mike McCurry, former White House press secretary; current director of the Center for Public Theology and distinguished professor at Wesley Theological Seminary
- Tom Miller, Iowa attorney general