Shining a Light: World Press Freedom Day

On May 2, 2018, the Society of Independent Student Journalists (SISJ) club held an event in Loker Student Union Ballroom B to recognize World Press Freedom Day. The purpose of the event was to highlight the importance of maintaining press freedoms, especially in light of journalism's role in holding institutions of power accountable during the current socio-political climate, increasing violence and vitriol toward journalists, and era of "fake news."

The event featured a panel discussion with three professional journalists from the Los Angeles Times and the Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) station KPCC 89.3 FM. Guest speakers for the event included Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ruben Vives and Melissa Etehad, both from the Los Angeles Times. Also on the panel was the Pulitzer Prize-winning managing editor of KPCC Megan Garvey, who is also a former deputy managing editor from the LA Times.

Garvey earned her Pulitzer Prizes both as one of the lead writers for the 2004 California wildfires coverage and again as editor for live coverage of the San Bernardino terrorist attack in 2015. Vives landed his Pulitzer Prize for his 2010 investigative reporting on the financial corruption by city officials in the city of Bell. Etehad, who previously worked for Al Jazeera English and the Washington Post's foreign desk, also brought her international perspective to the lively discussion.

The wide-ranging panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Brant Burkey, one of the full-time faculty members of the journalism option. The personalized question-and-answer panel covered discussions that examined some of the current threats to press freedom locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as the importance of journalism in confronting abuses of power in these polarizing times. Students in attendance were then invited to ask questions of the discussants, followed by refreshments and networking opportunities with the journalists.

Three-time Emmy Award-winning anchor of Telemundo 52 Los Angeles Alejandra Ortiz Chagin was also scheduled to appear as the keynote speaker for the World Press Freedom Day event but was unable to attend because of a last-minute emergency.

The event was sponsored by the Society of Independent Student Journalists (SISJ), club advisor Dr. Nancy Cheever, and organized by graduating senior and SISJ president Jesse Garcia.

The World Press Freedom Day was only one of several events SISJ held this year, including fieldtrip visits to the newsrooms of Telemundo, KTLA Channel 5 and the Los Angeles Times, as well as several fundraisers, mixers, and a retreat to Bolsa Chica State Beach.

"They've taught me that being a journalist never ends," SISJ member Veronica Velasquez said of her interactions with professional journalists. "If you're willing to put in the time, it will pay off big time."