Prying Loose Public Records
Thurs, August 7 | 12-1:00pm
If you're looking to elevate your reporting, break news and uncover information, filing more and better public records requests could be your way in. In this session, instructors will teach you how to use open records laws to obtain records at the local, state and federal level. You will also receive a checklist detailing everything you need to know before you submit your next request. This session is designed for journalists who are new to filing records requests or who need a refresher.
Speakers:
P. Kenneth Burns, New Jersey Reporter, WHYY
Rasheed Shabazz, Director, Oakland Voices
Walter Smith Randolph, Executive Producer, CBS News New York
Cheryl Thompson, Investigative Correspondent, NPR
Beyond the Byline: Finding the Culture Angle in Your Beat
Thurs, August 7 | 12:30-1:30pm
Culture doesn't exist in a vacuum-it's shaped by and, in turn, shapes the worlds of your beat, from sports to business and politics. This panel will explore how culture reporting intersects with other beats, from the financial forces driving entertainment to the rise of conservatism in cultural spaces. As right-wing movements increasingly target everything from books and movies to drag performances and academic institutions, understanding these connections is more important than ever. Journalists will discuss how to break down silos in reporting, analyze cultural shifts through a broader lens, and tell deeper, more impactful stories that reveal the bigger picture.
Speakers:
Tre’vell Anderson, Founder and Chief Imagination, Slayzhon
Brittany Luse, Host, NPR
Corey Rose, Producer, NPR
Stakeouts and Door Knocks: Getting Schooled in Shoe Leather Reporting
Thurs, August 7 | 2:30-3:30pm
Computer-assisted journalism allows coverage of complex material never before possible. But it's strongest when combined with in-person reporting. Skills include how to actually knock on a door and what to say when someone answers (or when they do not), how to use empathy to elicit information, how to do a stakeout and not get 'made,' and crucially, planning an escape if danger arises. A practicum is Wisconsin Public Radio's 2024 profile of a reluctant (and potentially hostile) billionaire castigated by a community overflowing with misinformation. The report used data research, then filled in blanks via those who knew her best.
Speakers:
Greg Coy, Anchor/Investigative Reporter, WJCL
Diana Fuentes, Executive Director, Investigative Reporters and Editors
Cheryl Thompson, Investigative Correspondent/Senior Editor, Station Investigations, NPR
Dorothy Tucker, Investigative Reporter, WBBM-TV Chicago
Robin Washington, Host Producer, Wisconsin Public Radio
Think.Public.Media. Reception | Hosted by Ideastream Public Media
Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 6:00-8:00pm
Stop by the Think.Public.Media booth at the Career Fair to learn how you can attend the Think.Public.Media. reception hosted by Ideastream Public Media! The reception will be a time for networking, talking about careers in public media and meeting other conference attendees. Michel Martin, NPR Morning Edition Host, will be our featured guest for the evening.
*Light refreshments will be provided.
Covering Black Voices in Rural America: Discover the Unseen
Fri, August 8 | 9-10:00am
Much has been written about housing, technology, economic, and health equity issues in metropolitan communities, but little has been reported from within rural Black communities. Go beyond city limits, dig deeper, and cover communities that are often overlooked. Learn how to create nuanced multimedia packages for radio, print, and television that expose disparities, resilience, and humanity.
Speakers:
Cara Anthony, Midwest Correspondent
Gabrielle Hays, Communities Correspondent, PBS NewsHour
Renuka Rayasam, Senior Correspondent, KFF Health News
Adria Walker, Race and Equity Reporter, The Guardian US
Marlon Walker, Managing Editor, Local, The Marshall Project
So You Launched A Podcast? Here's How To Make It Great
Sat, August 9 | 9-10:00am
The podcast market is so saturated that even when your content serves a specific niche, it can get lost in the sea of content. What makes a show stand out? Authenticity, quality production, comprehensive marketing strategy…and the list goes on. This session will break down the podcast production process from start to finish (planning, sourcing, scripting and scoring), plus marketing and branding basics to get your show to the masses. Get all the necessary elements to transform your podcast from good to great!
Speakers:
Erin Allen, Host/Reporter, WBEZ Chicago
Anna DeShawn, NABJ Chicago Chapter Member
Kim Shine, Host/Production Manager, Radio Milwaukee
The New Guard: Breaking the Leadership Mold for Media's Future | Sat, August 9 | 9-10:00am | Room 21 (Exhibit Hall Level)
As traditional media boundaries blur and audience expectations evolve, a new kind of leadership is emerging. This session brings together pioneering executives who are revolutionizing how media organizations operate, combining candid discussion with interactive problem-solving. These leaders share how they're breaking from traditional hierarchies to build more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable organizations while navigating the intersection of content, technology, and cultural transformation.
This panel brings together some of media's most innovative executives who are actively reshaping the industry landscape. What sets this session apart is its focus on actionable strategies and dialogue about the challenges of transforming traditional media organizations.
Speakers:
Sarah Glover, Vice President of News, WHYY
Lee Hill, Executive Editor, GBH News
Neal Scarbrough, VP/General Manager, Marketplace
