journalism

2025 William W. White Outstanding Seniors

Regan Widergren — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 17:46:43 +0000

2025 William W. White Outstanding Seniors Regan Widergren Tue, 04/29/2025 - 11:46

Each year, the CMCI student with the highest GPA in the class receives the William W. White Outstanding Graduate Award.

Sarah Carleo, Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design

After graduating, Sarah will work as a public relations assistant for Next PR, in Colorado Springs.

Graduating from college represents proof of growth. CU has been a tool to stretch myself, and I think I鈥檒l carry a lot of that in the future.鈥�

Meet Sarah

Additionally, each department in the college chooses an exemplary student whose academic merit, professional achievement and service to CMCI. These students are recognized as William W. White Outstanding Seniors.

Celia Frazier, Department of Journalism

Celia is a finalist for Report for America, which she hopes gives her additional opportunities to do local journalism that makes an impact.

Getting to know people and their work so intimately is a reminder of how complex the world is, and how important it is that we have journalists to help the public understand this complexity.鈥�

Meet Celia

Andrew Johnson, Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design

After graduating, Andrew will return to BBH USA, in New York, in an account management and client services role.

I remember the first night I attended an Ad Club meeting鈥擨 finally felt like I found something I was passionate about. I left the meeting and called my mom immediately, and told her 鈥楳om, I found out what I want to do with my life.鈥欌€�

Meet Andrew

Ruby Laemmel, Department of Media Production

Adventures are one of Ruby鈥檚 biggest sources of inspiration for documentary and other projects, so she plans to travel internationally after graduation. Mexico, Japan and Costa Rica are all on her list.

At CU, I surrounded myself with bright and lively people. Spending time with my herd was never dull; someone was always laughing. In the past year, I have grown tremendously, and I cannot thank the people closest to me enough for their endless love and support.鈥�

Macy Mohlenkamp, Department of Communication

Macy has spent the last year as an undergraduate intern with the communications team at CU Athletics team, and hopes to stay on as a communications associate.

Six months before I started my internship, I had been extremely nervous about what I was going to be doing after graduation. But once I was in that press box, I felt so much more sure of myself.鈥�

David LaPaglia, Department of Information Science

David鈥檚 CMCI experience in three words: Grow. Discover. Experience. After graduation, he will be joining the Makse Group, an IT consulting company, as a technology consultant.

The information science department ignited a passion within me to discover the truth around us鈥攁 curiosity I will carry into my future.鈥�

Rachel Zing, Department of Media Studies

Rachel鈥檚 CMCI experience in three words: Busy. Transformative. Fun.

College is a great time to figure out what you like, both academically and in extracurriculars. There鈥檚 no shame in trying a bunch of different things until you find what actually brings you joy.鈥�

William W. White Outstanding Seniors are chosen by department faculty to recognize academic merit, professional achievement and service to the college.

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The case was closed, but one reporter never stopped asking questions

Joe Arney — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 15:48:35 +0000

The case was closed, but one reporter never stopped asking questions Joe Arney Thu, 04/10/2025 - 09:48

By Iris Serrano
Headshot of Laura Crimaldi courtesy The Boston Globe

In February 2021, 23-year-old Sandra Birchmore was found dead in her apartment in Canton, Massachusetts.

Her death was ruled a suicide until Laura Crimaldi, a reporter with The Boston Globe, started digging into her past鈥攊ncluding her history with Matthew Farwell, then a police officer.

Her relentless pursuit of the truth resulted in 鈥淪ecrets and Lies,鈥� which led to the case being reopened and Farwell being charged in Birchmore鈥檚 killing.

To recognize her tenacity and dedication, Crimaldi was recognized as this year鈥檚 winner of the prestigious Al Nakkula Award for Police Reporting, handed out each year by the journalism department of the College of Media, Communication and Information at CU 51传媒 and the Denver Press Club. Judges gave special mention to both Alabama Media Group and The Arizona Republic for their entries.

鈥淟aura was able to show how police broke trust with that young woman,鈥� said Chuck Plunkett, a judge in the contest and director of the capstone CU News Corps in CMCI. 鈥淚t was just a good mix of dogged reporting with great enterprise writing and great narrative writing.鈥�

In what one of her editors called a master class in investigative journalism, Crimaldi listened to friends and relatives who weren鈥檛 satisfied with the official explanation of Birchmore鈥檚 death. She also filed nearly 100 public records requests and reviewed extensive court filings and police reports as part of her work, while 鈥渟pending a lot of time knocking on doors to reach her family and friends directly.鈥�

鈥淚t bothered me that there were people who had the authority and the means and methods to get to the bottom of this, and they just didn鈥檛 seem too interested in doing so,鈥� Crimaldi said. 鈥淎nd by using my superpower, which is to put things in the newspaper, I could make a difference. I wanted to do that.鈥�

鈥淚t was just a good mix of dogged reporting with great enterprise writing and great narrative writing.鈥�

Chuck Plunkett, director, CU News Corps

Together with Yvonne Abraham, a columnist at the Globe, she authored a 15,000-word report that painted a picture of how Farwell groomed Birchmore鈥攚ho was more than 10 years younger than him鈥攚hile she was a 15-year-old enrolled in a junior police academy.

鈥淚f it hadn't been for Laura, there wouldn't have been the deeper investigation,鈥� said Plunkett, also an assistant teaching professor at the college. 鈥淭hat culture would have perpetuated, and more young people, more Sandra Birchmores, would have been victimized.鈥�

Judges who reviewed entries remarked on the significance and impact of her work.

鈥淭he story of Sandra Birchmore's killing makes me sick to my stomach鈥攐utraged,鈥� said Ben Markus, an investigative reporter for Colorado Public Radio and judge for the contest. 鈥淭hat is a testament to the Boston Globe鈥檚 dogged reporting, without which a police officer might never have been charged with her murder.鈥�

Another judge, John Ingold, praised the dedication and time that went into the reporting.

鈥淭his entry is an extraordinary example of what can happen when journalists refuse to give up. It is a reminder of the impact that quality journalism can have,鈥� said Ingold, a reporter for The Colorado Sun.

51传媒 the Nakkula Award

The Al Nakkula Award for Police Reporting honors the late Al Nakkula, a 46-year veteran of the Rocky Mountain News, whose tenacity made him a legendary police reporter. This year, nearly 40 national media outlets submitted entries to a panel of five judges: Ingold; Markus; Brian Malone, a Colorado-based documentary filmmaker; Vicky Collins (Jour鈥�80), publisher of Bucket List Community Cafe; and Plunkett.

Each year, Nakkula contest judges look for stories that meet the highest journalistic standards, help readers understand complex issues and solutions, show a commitment to community, and bring about societal change. The competition is sponsored by the journalism department at CMCI and the Denver Press Club, and has been awarded annually since 1991. More on the Nakkula Award.

Laura Crimaldi has won this year鈥檚 Al Nakkula Award for her investigative reporting into the circumstances around the killing of a woman by a police officer鈥攁 death that was originally determined as suicide.

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The next generation in the newsroom

Hannah Stewart — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:07:13 +0000

The next generation in the newsroom Hannah Stewart Tue, 03/25/2025 - 17:07

Networking with industry professionals has been one of the highlights of Roch's time in CMCI, whether it's through student organizations or college events. Photo by Jack Moody (StratComm'24)

By Hannah Stewart (Comm鈥�19)

From his office, Chuck Plunkett can sometimes hear conversations from the conference room next door.

Often, it was a voice he came to recognize鈥攈is student, Lincoln Roch.

鈥淚 was impressed at his skill at working the phones,鈥� said Plunkett, an associate teaching professor of journalism. 鈥淓very now and then, I would wander over and just chat with him about his technique.鈥�

Plunkett has worked in newsrooms nationwide, so knows what he鈥檚 talking about when it comes to telephone techniques. But that鈥檚 not the only reason he expects Roch to succeed as a journalist.

鈥淚 noticed right away that he had a lot of skill as a reporter, and a lot of drive. And you need both of those to be a successful journalist,鈥� he said.

Roch has already found success after transferring into CMCI鈥檚 journalism program just last fall. He previously attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, but after two years in their program, craved a change.

Roch estimates he spent at least 10 hours on the ground following McMillan and her opponent, Woog, as they spoke to undecided voters. Photo by Lincoln Roch; originally appeared in The Colorado Sun.

鈥淐U was really the only place I considered transferring to鈥擨 grew up in Louisville and wanted to be close to home and friends,鈥� Roch said. 鈥淚 really love it here. I didn鈥檛 realize how many opportunities this school provides that I couldn鈥檛 get before.鈥�

He quickly got to work integrating himself into the campus community鈥攋oining student media outlets like Sko Buffs Sports and the CU Independent, as well as the club freeskiing team. He also picked up a sports media minor and began internships at multiple publications, including the Daily Camera and Estes Valley Voice.

Roch鈥檚 passion for journalism goes back to his days contributing to Monarch High School鈥檚 student newspaper. In addition to covering general school news, he also wrote stories about the 2018 government shutdown and journalism鈥檚 role in preserving democracy, sparking a passion for political reporting.

His big break into the field came last fall, when he heard about PTA president-turned state representative candidate Jillare McMillan鈥檚 campaign for the District 19 seat. This was one of the most closely watched鈥攁nd tightest鈥攔aces in the 2024 state elections, and she ultimately lost to the Republican candidate, Dan Woog. But it was an unforgettable experience for Roch, who was looking for a dynamite story for his class with Plunkett.

鈥淚 thought, 鈥楾his is just like Kamala Harris and what happened with her.鈥� But this woman has no campaign infrastructure. This woman is starting with no political experience, no staff, no money, and less time to pull this off,鈥� he said. 鈥淪o I pursued it, and it just kept getting more interesting.鈥�

Soon, he learned that the new candidate, McMillan, was a Mormon endorsed by Planned Parenthood, and her campaign manager was a CU 51传媒 junior. Her opponent was a Republican interested in renewable energy, who had previously held the District 19 seat but lost it in 2022.

Roch said covering the District 19 race was the hardest he ever worked on a story. Photo by Lincoln Roch; originally appeared in The Colorado Sun.

鈥淚t was so fun to write and especially being on the ground, I probably spent 10 hours literally following them while they knocked on doors,鈥� Roch said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the hardest I鈥檇 ever worked on the story because I wanted to tell just how unique of a story it was.鈥�

With a little help from Plunkett, who is also the director of CU News Corps, Roch contacted politics editor Jesse Paul from The Colorado Sun鈥攚ho worked with Plunkett at The Denver Post鈥攖o publish the story. Seeing his story on the front page of what he considered to be the 鈥済old standard of journalism in this state鈥� was an exciting moment for Roch, and one that reinforced that this was the profession he wanted to do for 鈥渢he rest of my life.鈥�

After receiving an email from student media director Vicky Sama about submissions to the Hearst Feature Writing Competition, Roch submitted his story for consideration and ultimately received an honorable mention for his reporting.

鈥淚 see him working with other students and mentoring them, helping them navigate the world of journalism in these really tough times,鈥� said Sama, an associate teaching professor of journalism. 鈥淪o there鈥檚 something to be said about his passion and commitment to the profession. I think that鈥檚 admirable.鈥�

This recognition helped, in part, to motivate him to further his involvement with CU journalism. Together with some other students, Roch pushed to reestablish the CU 51传媒 chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

鈥淲e all wanted an opportunity to, outside of classes, network with professional journalists and learn from them,鈥� Roch said. 鈥淓ach week, we鈥檙e going to try and bring in someone and have them share their insights, put on some workshops, talk about ethics and teach people how to improve their skills.鈥�

As part of the effort, he connected with the SPJ Colorado president and helped organize the first three meetings.

鈥淟incoln has meant a lot to the program鈥攈e鈥檚 very much a significant contributor,鈥� Plunkett said. 鈥淚t kind of felt like a full-circle thing to now be teaching the next generation of Jesse Pauls and to see Lincoln, a definite contender for a future job in a newsroom like the Sun, making a connection with Jesse.鈥�

Junior journalism student Lincoln Roch is making a splash on and off campus. He鈥檚 joined multiple student media organizations, held a handful of reporting internships and recently, received recognition in the Hearst Feature Writing Competition.

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Making a play for Denver

Joe Arney — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 21:49:57 +0000

Making a play for Denver Joe Arney Fri, 02/14/2025 - 14:49

Radio 1190鈥檚 return to the AM band after the pandemic was a labor of love, as classes of dedicated students committed to bringing the station back to the halls of CU 51传媒.

In just the last year, the station鈥攆ormally known as KVCU 1190 AM鈥攃aptured numerous awards for radio reporting, while growing its news team and listener base.

Now, 1190鈥檚 mix of student-curated music and news is getting play in a much bigger market.

On Thursday, the student-run station returned to Denver, where it can be heard at 92.9 FM on translator K225BS.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 one question we鈥檝e kept answering again and again over the last few years, it鈥檚鈥榃hen are you going to be back on the air in Denver?鈥� If there鈥檚 another, it鈥檚, 鈥榃hen are you going to be on the FM?鈥欌€� said Iris Berkeley (Jour鈥�01), the station鈥檚 general manager. 鈥淲e鈥檙e looking forward to making up for lost time.鈥�

The station鈥檚 journey since the pandemic forced it into automated programming hasn鈥檛 been a straight line. After a year as an online-only station, it returned to AM in February 2023.

Jack Armstrong (StratComm鈥�24), who served as news director before graduating in the winter, said building up the staff involved pitching the station to student volunteers, which he did by visiting classes and asking for opportunities to speak.

More: Tuned to creativity

Now, more than 100 regular student participants contribute to the station, which offers news broadcasts each weekday during the academic year, daily student-curated music programming, and a revamped website featuring news, blogs and podcasts showcasing student-created visuals and music.

Another part of 1190鈥檚 success has been philanthropy, especially from the Stewart Family Foundation, which has supported a number of projects at CU 51传媒 and the College of Media, Communication and Information. Unsurprisingly, the foundation鈥攚hich honors the legacy of Colorado broadcast pioneers Lila and Bill Stewart, who owned and operated Longmont鈥檚 KLMO until 1998鈥攈as been a key supporter of Radio 1190.

鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 be at this point of celebration if it weren鈥檛 for the generosity and benevolence of the Stewart Family Foundation 鈥� as well as our friends and partners in CU 51传媒 Student Government and the College of Media, Communication and Information,鈥� said Berkeley, who was involved with 1190 as a student. 鈥淭hank you for believing in the power of student media.鈥�

The next step for the station鈥檚 volunteers, like Juanita Hurtado, a junior majoring in journalism and the current news director, is to ensure students鈥� contributions help them stand out when they graduate and look for work.

鈥淲e want to make sure students develop not only the skills to earn them jobs, but also awards that prove to recruiters the quality of their work,鈥� Hurtado said.

It鈥檚 a vision she shares with Armstrong.

鈥淚 have a very distinct goal鈥攖hat when people see Radio 1190 on a resume, it will attract recruiters,鈥� Armstrong said. 鈥淲e do have some national distinctions already, but I want to get to the point where people get an interview or a callback because Radio 1190 has that recognition.鈥�

The student-run radio station has re-entered the Denver market on the FM band.

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Announcing the fall 2024 dean's list

Regan Widergren — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 14:38:04 +0000

Announcing the fall 2024 dean's list Regan Widergren Sun, 01/12/2025 - 07:38

CMCI students who have completed at least 12 credit hours of CU 51传媒 course work for a letter grade in any single semester and achieve a term grade point average of 3.75 or better are included on the dean鈥檚 list. They receive a notation on their transcript and a letter from CMCI Founding Dean Lori Bergen. Congratulations to all honorees!

Lucia Abdelwahed
Kit Achar
Shea Ackman
Lucy Alagna
Kelli Alexander
Ava Alms
Bridgette Anderson
Bryce Andrews
Sofia Anerousis
Vicky Angelova
Josh Archie
Jack Armstrong
Remy Arnold
Grace Atencio
Emily Badeaux
Rebecca Badeaux
John Baggs
Alexia Bailey
Elizabeth Baker
Loren Baker
Owen Balboa
Bella Baldecchi
Maddie Baldwin
Emilie Barbattini
Katie Barcroft
Tomas Barrientos
Ellena Bassoukos
Alyssa Bauer
Katie Baxter
Enya Bayaraa
Taylor Beamer
Lily Becker
Emily Beckwith
Ryan Beebe
Kayla Beebower
Savy Behr
Haya Ben Essa
Carolina Benun
Parker Berkheimer
Adrianna Bhan
Charlie Bickham
Thomas Bischoff
Tommy Bittner
Katie Bixler
Rylee Blake
Kenna Blank
Miranda Bleau
Carley Blim
Riley Blomstrand
Sophia Bobier
Anvitha Bompalli
Jack Bond
Sophia Books
Sarah Boothroyd
Hailie Borges
Jack Boruchov
Grant Bowditch
Sarah Brady
Elizabeth Brechtel
Mateo Brenes
Hannah Brennan
Audrey Brice
Logan Brinker
Erin Brinkman
Ava Brittelli
Katie Brooks
Samantha Brouhard
Addison Brower
Emily Brown
Lili Brownell
Benjamin Browning
Ryan Bruins
Morgan Bruun-Jensen
Rachel Bryant
Tessa Buchanan
Juliana Buck
Ashley Budy
Fatima Bugaighis
Harper Bunn
Ben Burleigh
Griffin Burrows
Brooke Bursteen
Parker Burt
Ella Buss
Noelia Caballero
Sophia Caldwell
Isabelle Calvanese
Carly Cambareri
Mackenzie Campbell
Abby Cannon
Sarah Carleo
Jessie Carlin
Clara Carlsson
Kaitlyn Carpenter
Juliana Carpinelli
Kelley Carr
Mitchell Carswell
Alexa Carter
Madeline Caruso
Madison Cashin
Kathryn Castanoli
Mia Castro
Zachary Chagnon
Izzie Chan
Jack Chandler
Jesus Chavez
Hayden Chedid
Avery Childs
Angelina Christos
Madeeha Chughtai
Megan Chung
Tanner Clark
Avery Clifton
Emme Clymer
Morgan Coffin
Jacqueline Cohen
Blair Coldrick
MacKenzie Cole
Sydney Coleman
Sophia Collins
Sarah Connor
Scott Connor
Breah Conradson
Ainsley Coogan
Georgia Cook
Jennifer Corley
Susie Cormack
Gilberto Corral
Maddy Corzine
Bailey Craig
Grace Crawford
Elizabeth Cropper
Gavin Crowson
Charlotte Croy
Eryn Cryer
Kelajanae Curry
Tess Curry
Evan Curtiss
Lauren Curtiss
Dana Cutti
Liz Cutting
Emma Czohara
Ella Elisabeth D'Orazio
Olivia D'onofrio
Maayane Dadon
Clara Dailey
Ava Dallal
Abikael Daniel
Lacey Daniell
Hannah David
Gabriella Davis
Katherine Davis
Sasha Davison
Weston Deaton
Hunter Dee
Lily Delgado
Ryan Dial
Zach Dial
Ben Dickson
Jacob Dilling
Sydney Dobriner
Campbell Dokken
Connie Dolati
Lexi Dolsak
Eric Donjuan
Emily Doskow
Sydney Dossa
Wylie Douglas
Daniel Doupe

Aspen Doust
Averie Dow
Brady Dowd
Veronika Drab
Baylee Drevno
Noah Drewes
Michael Drozd
Vaughn Duby
Jean Duffy
Hannah Duthie
Mattia Echchaibi
Ansley Edelbrock
Camryn Eickenberg
Jenny Ellis
Ryan Ellis
Libby Emery
Sophie Englezos
Felix Estes
Morgan Evans
Nate Evans
John Ewald
Ellie Exenberger
Reed Ezor
Sophie Faust
Trent Finnegan
Maddie Fisher
Katie Flecca
Aidan Fliszar
William Flockton
Joe Fogler
Hayley Forstot
Ellie Foster
Rhen Fowler
Helena Fox-Mills
Celia Frazier
Cayden Friedman
Isabelle Friedrich
Colette Gagliano
Evanie Gamble
Jacalyn Gamble
Bailee Gammel
Lydia Gammon
Katelyn Gardner
Prestin Garman
Audrey Geer
Carly Gelfand
Hannah Giacomin
Ellie Gianola
Tegan Gie
Peyton Gildersleeve
Lauren Gillespie
Marin Gloor
Max Goldin
Samantha Goldin
Arlie Goldman
Max Gong
William Gooch
Julia Goodman
Max Goodman
Salem Goodman
Keira Gould
Abby Graham
Chloe Graham
Nora Graham
Cj Grandi
Edson Graycar
Erica Griffiths
Leila Gurland
Darien Gyselen
Ella Hack
Marin Hackney
Max Hagen
Paxton Haines
Alisa Haley
Aedan Hall
Alsa Halquist
Norah Hampford
Roxie Hampton
Nate Hankins
Mackenzie Hanlon
Carson Hanna
Justin Hansen
Eden Harari
Greta Harder
J.T. Harland
Maeve Harrington
Myla Harris
Sabrina Harris
Alex Hartman
Kate Hartman
Nick Haseman
Ethan Hatch
Josie Hayes
Keeley Haynes
Madison Hays
Grace Heligman
Stevie Hemans
Sam Hengehold
Will Henrickson
Mel Henry
Carson Henthorn
Anna Herth
Jack Hertzenberg
Carter Hessen
Chloe Hessinger
Kainoa Hiatt
Tyler Hibri
Antonia Hidalgo
Cassidy Hill
Grace Hilliard
Norah Hively
Sophie Hodgson
Hannah Hoffman
Johnny Hoisington
Sam Hokkanen
Mira Hougen
Donavon Houston
Owen Houtakker
Emily Howard
Ava Howe
Hannah Howell
Samantha Hruska
Haley Hubbard Godfrey
Wyatt Humble
Caitlin Humphrey
Daniela Hunt
Reese Illston
Helen Ingle
Greyson Ittig
Max Jacobs
Reed Jacobs
Maren Jacobson
Emma James
Lauren Jeffrey
Alana Jenks
Aaron Jensen
Annika Jobanputra
Mia Jochamowitz-Endersby Chikhani
Andy Johnson
Carter Johnson
Casey Johnson
Liv Johnstad
Teegan Johnstone
Max Julian
Taylor Kahn
Ryan Kalin
Faith Kaplan
Peyton Karp
Bailey Karraker
Peri Kay
Vivian Keegan
Samantha Keenan
Rachel Kennedy
Rowen Kennedy
John Kerklo
Ella Kest
Amy Kibort
Hannah Kijner
Angela Kim
Andrew Kingsepp
Julia Grace Kirk
Skylar Kisiel
Charlotte Kleinert
Miles Klingbeil
Ava Knopping
Will Kopp
Julia Kramer
Riley Krane
Ella Krelovich
Katie Krochalis

Carey Kronhart
Maddie Krozek
Oona Krukowski
Maria Kuhn
Samuel Kurtz
Matt Kushel
Alex LaMotte
David LaPaglia
Amy Labontu
Ruby Laemmel
Mia Lafayette
Raymond Lamlein
Ella Landry
Skyler Landry
Jonas Larson
Simon Lauritzen
Daniel Laverty
London Lawrence
Sarah Lawrence
Camille Leach
Juliette Leclercq
Lou Leclercq
Ava Leonard
Claire Levitt
Maya Levy
Jackson Lewis
Kara Liguori
Kya Lini
Mia Lioudis
Alexander Lipka
Leif Lomo
Skyler B. Longerbone
Lauren Lopez
Deborah Loseke
Linus Loughry
Janie Ludington
Anna Lynch
Zhehuang Ma
Taylor Madden
Mel Malloy
Emelia Mantz
Ella Marrufo
Jillian Martellaro
Stella Martens
Jackson Martin
Daniel Mattie
Maya Matus
Jake May
Alden Mazur
Audrey McClure
Matthew McGovern
Maddy McManus
John McDermott
Joey McDonald-Picolli
Fiona McGinnis
Tanner McIntosh
Sophie McKeown
Oliver McKinney
Jordan McPhee
Emori McQuigg
Sam Meldner
Alex Melvin
Ella Melvin
Gabby Mendoza
Nicholas Merl
Keala Mermel
Jackson Meyer
Julia Meyer
Leah Meyer
Olivia Meyers
Kristee Mikulski
Greta Milan
Clementine Miller
Creed Miller
Ellen Miller
Maggie Miller
Morgan Miller
Skylar Mills
Ally Milton
Samantha Mims
Amanda Mitry
Macy Mohlenkamp
Camryn Montgomery
Jayla Montoya
Jack Mooney
Clare Moore
Madison Moss
Mg Moulton
Lexi Moyers
Trevor Mueller
Brad Munson
Ally Murphy
Clare Murphy
Lia Murphy
Rue Murray
Addie Myers
Jacob Myers
Aahana Nandy
Presley Nemecek
Corey Neumeier
Hailey Newsum
Rebecca Niewood
Maggie O'Brien
Nora O'Connor
Emma O'Donovan
Brinley O'Neill
Gabriella Olson
Sofia Olsson
MariaJoan Olugbode
Karina Opalski
Alexandra Organa
Annika Ort
Max Osterman
Alina Ouligian
Emmett Owenby
Addison Paquin
Harley Parsons
Lauren Paschke
Giovanna Pascucci
Frankie Patton
Maya Paustenbaugh
Cassidy Payne
Madelyn Payne
Alicia Payrits
Sienna Peck
Kai Pelleriti
Caroline Pellerito
Tia Pepper
Quetzal Peterson
Amy Phillips
Rachel Pilik
Gibran Pillai
Valerie Pineda
Timothy Pivero
Macy Place
Jessica Plotkin
Ryan Podber
Katharine Polep-Sawyer
Brady Pollard
Ashley Pomeroy
Elizabeth Pond
Erika Port
Bradley Pratt
Dylann Pratt
Molly Precourt
Anna Prendergast
Addisson Pribble
Trevor Price
Grace Ptak
Jaden Quinn
Noor Rajpal
Mia Ramundo
Reece Randall
Olivia Randazzo
Andrew Rauber
Maya Raulf
Marissa Rauzi
Pauline Rawson
Rachel Ray
Quentin Rebholtz
Alex Redding
Cameron Reed
Molly Reed
Katrina Reghitto
Sebastian Gray Reid
Alexandria Reilly
Skyler Reneberg
Katie Reuter
Ella Revivo
Maddy Reynolds

Conner Richardson
Lauren Riley
Tessa Ring
Emma Ritter
Eliza Roberts
Ryan Robine
Berkley Robins
Aidan Robinson
Caniya Robinson
Justin Robinson
Michael Robinson
Isabel Robison
Kate Rogers
Audrey Rolstad
Avery Romig
Jenna Rose
Maddie Rosen
Alison Rosenbaum
Miki Rosenberg
Eli Rosenthal
Sam Russo
Emme Rutherford
Jay-Henry Ryan
Tanvi Sabharwal
Jessica Sachs
Joaquin Salinas
Luke Samiee
Charlotte Sample
Yahir de Jesus Sanchez Diaz
Anya Sanchez
Kayla Sanchez
Lydia Sarbacker
Tori Sarver
Milan Sasaki
Sophie Savage
Isaiah Saya
Riley Schermerhorn
Francesca Schiavitti
Gavin Schleich
Addie Schneider
Jaimie Schoenke
Tyler Scholl
Teagan Schreiber
Emerson Schroeder
Erin Schwaninger
Jonah Schwartz
Grace Scott
Olivia Scussel
Paige Searl
Mayla Seliskar
Iris Serrano
Max Shaffer
Ruby Shapiro
Julia Sharkowicz
Shubham Sharma
Natalie Sheehan
Jenna Shenbaum
Daniel Sher
Amanda Sherter
Lauren Shindler
Kennedy Shorett
Zoe Showalter-Flowers
Anika Siethoff
Matthew Silver
Olin Silverman
Harrison Simeon
Finley Simon
Leo Singer
Abby Sinno
Ryan Sklover
Emily Sloboda
Marie Slotnick
Chloe Grace Smith
Marlee Smith
Ryan Smith
Jake Snedeker
Lucy Snow
Ava Soares
Matt Solari
Sevi Solari
Sailor Sorensen
Lainey Sparks
Jessie Spires
Emma Stanfill
Lola Stanley
Rylie Stark
Reese Starr
Ashlin Stasswender Swasey
Alexander Stein
Katie Stephens
Zoe Stillman
Braden Stirrett
Ava Stoller
Mary Strasser
Aliza Strear
Elizabeth Suffian
Lucy Suja
Daniel Sullivan
Olivia Sullivan
Livi Sweeterman
Miles Swope
Sadie Symonds
Leah Szabo
Harper Tagg
Miguel Tanner
Sarah Taylor
Cecelia Tecu
Mandi Thoman
Emma Thomas
Emma Thomases
Sage Thompson
Leslie Tingley
Grace Toomey
Zohair Toor
Clio Torrance
Rylie Trager
Katy Tran
Eliza Travelstead
Eduardo Trejo Trinidad
Clara Trezise
Ricky Tuka
Jazzy Tung
Emma Tutaj
Katelyn Tyree
Zoe Usher
Jesse Uzansky
William Vander
Celia Vargas
Sydney Venetsanopoulos
T茅a Giselle Villarreal
Holden Vincent
Chloe Walsh
Liam Walsh
Elsa Warlick
Ashley Warren
Luke Watson
Aaron Wechsler
Noelle Weeger
Jr Weeks
Jenna Weil
Sami Weinstein
Holly Weiss
Morgan Weiss
Sophie Wendt
William Wetzel
Regan Widergren
Owen Wiggans
Jackson Williams
Trevor Williams
Jake Williamson
Molly Williamson
Delaney Willing
Sammie Jean Willoughby
Liv Wilson
Emma Winkelbauer
Amanda Winslow
Ty Wurtz
Chloe Yearous
Ashley Yi
Hannah Young
Arwyn Zaleski
Emma Zande
Emma Zawatski
Julia Zentmyer
Elsie Zerega
Mingwei Zhou
Matt Zimmermann
Rachel Zing
Jack Ziporin
Calvin Zuschlag
Vega de la Vega

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Tuning out the news? Journalism experts empathize

Joe Arney — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 18:13:31 +0000

Tuning out the news? Journalism experts empathize Joe Arney Wed, 01/08/2025 - 11:13

By Joe Arney

If you鈥檝e taken a holiday from the news after Election Day, you鈥檙e not alone鈥攁n Associated Press poll released late last year found about two-thirds of U.S. adults were limiting their consumption of political and government news.

Experts from the University of Colorado 51传媒 said the troubling trend is probably driven by a combination of exhaustion and how the media covered the presidential and down-ballot campaigns.

鈥淓ven if you feel that, from a civic standpoint, you need to be more engaged, you can鈥檛 live your whole life in that hyper-excited space all of the time,鈥� said Elizabeth Skewes, an associate professor of journalism at the College of Media, Communication and Information. 鈥淚 think we need to breathe again. Yes, the next Trump presidency will affect our daily lives鈥攂ut breathlessly reading every story doesn鈥檛 help.鈥�

That wasn鈥檛 the tack many Americans took in Donald Trump鈥檚 first term. In his campaign and through the early years of his presidency, the 鈥淭rump bump鈥� in ratings and circulation gave new life to legacy media outlets. But that faded as his presidency waned, and hasn鈥檛 recovered even as he prepares to be inaugurated.

鈥淔irst of all, we鈥檝e had nine years of this coverage, and it鈥檚 never stopped,鈥� Skewes said. 鈥淭hen, we鈥檝e been through COVID, and we鈥檙e exhausted. I think people will eventually re-engage with the news, but I expect it will be at a lower level.鈥�

Reverting to an established pattern

That鈥檚 something Skewes, a former staff and freelance reporter, knows quite a bit about: Some of her earliest research looked at how the media covered U.S. presidential campaigns, especially since no one鈥攖he public, the candidates, even the reporters鈥攍iked it.

Sound familiar?

鈥淔or quite a few election cycles, we鈥檝e heard about how journalism should do this better,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut the media tend to revert to pattern鈥攖o covering whatever the outrageous thing of the day is, and the legacy media will never be able to do that as well as things like social media or podcasts, because they have less responsibility to be factually correct.鈥�

To survive, news organizations should focus on building audience, Skewes said, instead of chasing chaos. They can do that not by focusing on being first, but on providing accuracy, context and clarity in an age of confusion.

In other words, not by breaking the news, but by putting it back together.

鈥淲e need to keep fact checking, but also cover all the other stuff鈥攖hose governance stories, where quiet decisions have a huge impact on our lives鈥攊nstead of just the latest thing Trump said that is too weird to believe, like trying to buy Greenland,鈥� she said. 鈥淚nstead of letting that grab the headlines, we need serious outlets to look behind the scenes and ask what鈥檚 happening while we鈥檙e distracted with the latest unbelievable thing Trump says.鈥�

For Mike McDevitt, a professor of journalism at CMCI, everyone has an obligation to follow the news on a regular basis鈥攖hough, he said, 鈥淚 sense it鈥檚 healthy for people to tune out鈥� a polarizing figure like Trump.

鈥淏ut a related interpretation to what鈥檚 happening is that if people have internalized politics as entertainment, then it鈥檚 understandable if they tune out for more appealing types of entertainment,鈥� said McDevitt, a former editorial writer and reporter.

The long game of retraining readers

Getting consumers to understand that, though, is a long game, Skewes said鈥攐ne that will play out against the deeper-pocketed tech industry and the social media giants.

鈥淲e need serious outlets to look behind the scenes and ask what鈥檚 happening while we鈥檙e distracted with the latest unbelievable thing Trump says.鈥�

Elizabeth Skewes, associate professor, journalism

鈥淚 don鈥檛 know how we get to the point where most of the public realizes, 鈥業鈥檓 just getting stuff that is basically Twinkies for the brain, and I need to find more reliable places to get news, because accurate information matters,鈥欌€� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a long play. We鈥檝e got to retrain people to understand the difference between news and content.鈥�

It鈥檚 a long game, but we鈥檒l have to find answers quickly, because the economics of the news business continue to flounder. In 2024, 130 newspapers closed their doors, according to the Local News Initiative from Northwestern University. That鈥檚 more than two newspapers disappearing each week.

And when reporters are no longer there to ask probing questions and search for the truth鈥攚ell, it puts a new spin on a bad news day.

鈥淲hen people aren鈥檛 paying attention to the media, the media aren鈥檛 paying attention to the thing鈥攁nd that鈥檚 when you see real changes to federal, state and local policy that dramatically change things,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ithout that accountability, it鈥檚 easier to do the wrong thing.鈥�

For all those warning lights, Skewes is hopeful that the longer-term future will be less chaotic and more civil than she expects to see in the next four years.

鈥淚 love politics鈥擨 covered it, grew up with it鈥攁nd I鈥檓 more hesitant now to even say something offbeat the political world, because I don鈥檛 know how other people are going to respond,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I think most Americans are tired of everything being so fraught. I really do believe that, eventually, things will calm down.鈥�

The industry needs to play a long game to re-engage readers as political and business model challenges mount.

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Settle for less: Why did ABC News avoid the courtroom in libel case?

Joe Arney — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:21:39 +0000

Settle for less: Why did ABC News avoid the courtroom in libel case? Joe Arney Fri, 12/20/2024 - 13:21

By Joe Arney

ABC News absorbed a good deal of flak鈥攅specially from the media鈥攆or quickly settling a defamation lawsuit brought against the network by Donald Trump. But an expert at the University of Colorado 51传媒鈥檚 College of Media, Communication and Information said it may be a case of playing the long game at a time when moneyed interests are scrambling to undo protections for journalists and First Amendment rights in general.

鈥淭hese types of lawsuits, where you鈥檙e looking for any possible way to attack the media鈥攊f the Supreme Court chooses to take on something like this, you could see 60-year-old precedents be overturned,鈥� said Angelica Kalika (PhDJour鈥�19), an assistant teaching professor of journalism at CMCI. 鈥淭his could fundamentally change how everyone does business, as well as the types of statements we鈥檙e allowed to publish and the types of stories we鈥檙e allowed to pursue.鈥�

The precedent Kalika is referring to, of course, is the 1964 landmark New York Times v. Sullivan decision, which set a high bar for public figures filing defamation lawsuits. In these cases, plaintiffs must prove 鈥渁ctual malice鈥� on behalf of the media. So, a news organization must have made a knowingly false defamatory statement, or make such a statement with reckless disregard of whether it is false.

鈥淲e have billionaires and well-resourced organizations and groups bringing these kinds of libel cases against the press whenever they can,鈥� she said, including Bollea v. Gawker, the case brought by pro wrestler Hulk Hogan over a sex tape partially published by Gawker Media. The case, which was partly financed by tech billionaire Peter Thiel, led to Gawker鈥檚 bankruptcy.

鈥淕oing to court involves blood, sweat and tears, and it costs a lot of money,鈥� Kalika said. 鈥淎nd with billionaires behind some of these very notable libel cases, there may be a sense that, for ABC, you might weaken future libel defenses by giving higher courts more opportunities to get involved.

鈥淚t鈥檚 the wild west, in terms of what is going to happen to speech protection in the next few years.鈥�

Course updates in real time

Kalika, who has worked as an independent journalist in addition to her academic career, principally studies alternative media鈥攅verything from hyperlocal organizations like the former Colorado Independent, a digital publication that鈥檚 now part of the Colorado News Collaborative, to how outlets like TMZ navigate legal and ethical boundaries in producing celebrity journalism.

She also teaches a class, Media Law and Ethics, that is getting fresh updates in the current political climate.

鈥淣ow, everyone becomes a broadcaster when they go online鈥攜ou鈥檙e not just liable as part of an organization,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o you need to be a mini legal scholar, essentially, to consistently keep up with your state and local laws. We can鈥檛 go into this thinking legal departments have our back, because a lot of news organizations are getting smaller, and may not have the amount of legal support they need鈥攅specially when so much is changing, and will continue to change.鈥�

鈥淢ore than ever, we need our press to be that Fourth Estate, to give a voice to the voiceless, and to protect not only the institution, but the concept of free speech in this country.鈥�

Angelica Kalika, assistant teaching professor, journalism

Why Disney settled

Though she is not involved in the specifics of the ABC News case, Kalika has some ideas around why it settled, beyond the potential disruption to journalism that a case moving through higher courts might trigger.

鈥淔irst off, we shouldn鈥檛 be saying ABC鈥攚e should be saying Disney, because that鈥檚 who owns it,鈥� said Kalika, who interned for the company鈥檚 scripted division as a college student. 鈥淐orporations will always act in their best interest, and maybe they have a long-term agenda to not start any trouble with the incoming president,鈥� especially when Disney fought a protracted battle with Florida Republicans over the so-called 鈥淒on鈥檛 Say Gay鈥� bill.

Kalika also said Disney鈥檚 lawyers may have believed Trump鈥檚 team could prove actual malice, based on the language George Stephanopoulos used on the air. Stephanopoulos did not use the exact terms set by the jury, misrepresenting the court鈥檚 findings鈥攁n error that was not corrected in real time.

Whatever the reasoning, the effect on press freedoms is likely to be chilling, especially for the smaller, nonprofit or independent outlet Kalika closely studies. She said it鈥檚 crucial that large and well-resourced nonprofits and publications like The New York Times continue to fight to establish, and maintain, press freedoms, because 鈥渢hat protects everyone鈥檚 right to free speech. I think that is something we need to always hope, that those who have the means to fight do so.鈥�

鈥淎 movement is watching you very closely to see where and how you will trip up,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a movement of saying, your voice doesn鈥檛 matter, your critique of institutional power doesn鈥檛 matter, and we鈥檙e going to find a way to eliminate your voice. We have to be better at what we do, and smarter and more vigilant. More than ever, we need our press to be that Fourth Estate, to give a voice to the voiceless, and to protect not only the institution, but the concept of free speech in this country.鈥�

An expert discusses a growing threat facing the news media following Disney鈥檚 settlement with the president-elect鈥檚 legal team.

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Shedding light on traffic tragedies: Tribune reporter wins Feldman Award

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 16:24:32 +0000

Shedding light on traffic tragedies: Tribune reporter wins Feldman Award Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/23/2024 - 10:24

By Hannah Stewart (Comm鈥�19)

Business reporter Sarah Freishtat is no stranger to the challenges of covering transportation in a bustling city like Chicago. So when a fellow Tribune reporter forwarded her an email about a journalism award centered on transportation, submitting one of her stories was a no-brainer.

鈥淚 saw what the backstory of the award was, with Casey鈥檚 story and what her family was trying to do, and I was really inspired by that,鈥� Freishtat said. 鈥淚 really appreciated the award鈥檚 focus on transportation because it really affects people鈥檚 day-to-day lives.鈥�

Her story, 鈥淪erious Crashes With Pedestrians and Cyclists Often Fail To Lead to Tickets or Charges: 鈥榃e Can鈥檛 Be OK With This,鈥欌€� explores the issue of vehicular accidents in which victims are injured and no one is charged. It also is the 2024 recipient of the Casey Feldman Award for Transportation Safety Reporting.

The reporting award honors Casey Feldman, a Fordham University journalism student who was killed by a distracted driver in 2009. It is sponsored by EndDD.org, which was created by the Casey Feldman Memorial Foundation to end distracted driving, and by the journalism department at the University of Colorado 51传媒鈥檚 College of Media, Communication and Information.

Two judges evaluated the submissions: Justin George, an editor at the Cowboy State Daily, and Chuck Plunkett, who directs the capstone journalism program CU News Corps at CU 51传媒. George was formerly a transportation writer at The Washington Post, and Plunkett was formerly the editorial page editor for The Denver Post.

鈥淪arah Freishtat鈥檚 impactful story was an example of a transportation beat reporter showing unparalleled expertise, uncovering a clearly ignored failure of justice and public safety sitting right under everyone鈥檚 noses,鈥� George said.

Vehicular crashes involving pedestrians had been on her radar for some time when she heard about two separate pedestrian accidents where a youth was struck while crossing the street. One involved then-17-year-old Nakari Campbell, who spent so many weeks recovering that she celebrated her 18th birthday in a rehabilitation center. Ja鈥檒on James, 11, was crossing the street with his brother one morning when he was hit and did not survive. Neither family has discovered who was behind the wheel of the cars that changed their lives.

鈥淚 give a lot of credit to the families I spoke with, because it鈥檚 not easy to sit down and relive what is often the worst day of their lives鈥攁nd I鈥檓 deeply appreciative of them letting me into their homes and into their lives,鈥� Freishtat said. 鈥淪itting in Ja鈥檒on鈥檚 family鈥檚 living room talking to his mother and grandmother really drives home why this issue is important to talk about and why we do this.鈥�

Reporters Jennifer Gollan and Susie Neilson, of the San Francisco Chronicle, were recognized with an honorable mention for their project, which explored police chases. Their multimedia series looks into the statistics and methodology of police chases through storytelling, infographics and video footage.

Freishtat received a first-place prize of $3,000.

A Chicago Tribune reporter investigated how traffic accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists rarely lead to charges, despite the deep impact on families.

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Journalism Day makes triumphant return to 51传媒

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 15:15:05 +0000

Journalism Day makes triumphant return to 51传媒 Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 10/08/2024 - 09:15

By Iris Serrano
Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm鈥�18) and Jack Moody

The last time the Colorado Student Media Association held its tentpole celebration of high school journalism in 51传媒, most Americans got their news in print or on TV. Facebook didn鈥檛 yet exist. And the most advanced thing you could do on a mobile phone was place a call.

J-Day, too, has changed as young people increasingly ask thoughtful questions about the future of the industry and its need to innovate.

But pessimism was nowhere in sight last week at the University of Colorado 51传媒, which welcomed more than 1,400 high school students and advisors for a day of learning about journalism, the media and more.

Shelby Javernick, director of student recruitment and outreach at the College of Media, Communication and Information, has regularly attended J-Day in the past, when it was held at Colorado State University, 鈥渟o I had an idea of what to expect, in terms of energy and enthusiasm,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut my expectations were completely blown away, in terms of the number of students, their passion and curiosity for learning about the media, and how they engaged with speakers, our campus and each other.鈥�

Students had the opportunity to hear from industry and academic experts who discussed topics like social media, generative artificial intelligence and career readiness. Some of the most popular sessions included a panel featuring representatives of CU 51传媒 student media organizations, a career prep session with 9News personalities, and multiple talks about sports journalism. Hundreds of students also attended tours of the campus, CMCI studios and academic spaces, and the campuses鈥� sports media operations.

For students like Colton Kominski, who鈥檚 active with Longmont High School鈥檚 yearbook, the event gave a new perspective on how to do his work effectively.

鈥淭he photography and videography session highlighted the importance of capturing people and their stories鈥攁nd whether that鈥檚 through emotion, action or being spontaneous, it showed me the power that you can have in your photography,鈥� said Kominski, a senior. 鈥淲hen you鈥檙e done with the yearbook, it鈥檚 like a time capsule鈥攊t will be held in the hands of your classmates for years to come.鈥�

In her opening remarks, Lori Bergen, CMCI鈥檚 founding dean and a former reporter, spoke to the need for students to lead the charge as the news industry changes.

鈥淚 hope you leave here inspired about the craft of journalism and the importance of the media in today鈥檚 world, even as the industry adapts and innovates in the face of new challenges,鈥� Bergen said.

Bigger than the news

While it鈥檚 called J-Day, the event isn鈥檛 just about journalism and the news鈥攚hich is why it鈥檚 such a natural fit for CMCI. In addition to its journalism department, CMCI incorporates communication, information science, media studies and other related fields, challenging both students and faculty to explore the areas where these changing disciplines intersect鈥攆ertile ground for the careers of tomorrow.

鈥淛ournalism includes telling stories in a more interesting, intriguing and immersive way to get people to care about something,鈥� Javernick said. 鈥淲ithin our college, there's a lot of overlap with journalism鈥攅verything connects because we're always going to need good storytellers.鈥�

High school students who attended the workshops said the sessions reflected the balance CMCI aims to offer in its academic programs, including an emphasis on leadership and communication skills useful in any career鈥攏ot just journalism.

Marley Rich, a junior from Aspen High School, said she enjoyed a session on how to be an editor for student media.

鈥淚鈥檓 definitely going to try and connect with the other members of the staff more, and not isolate myself just because I鈥檓 editing their work,鈥� said Rich, adding that the chance to see journalism 鈥渘ot as a concept, but actually as a career, has been really enlightening.鈥�

Career insights

CMCI welcomed back Savannah Sellers (Jour鈥�13), anchor for NBC News鈥� Morning News Now, as the keynote speaker. From the network鈥檚 New York headquarters, she offered words of encouragement from the perspective of someone who had once been in the shoes of the students in the room.

鈥淓xploring journalism as a career opportunity can lead you to so many fantastic things in your life, and incredible opportunities,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is a fun, rewarding, fulfilling path that is only getting more interesting, no matter if it鈥檚 changing. Also, I will say that CU 51传媒 was a fabulous place to study it.鈥�

Sellers knows a thing or two about those changes: She is a co-host on Stay Tuned, a daily NBC news program aimed at younger viewers and delivered via Snapchat. She encouraged the audience to continue to make strides as journalism evolves.

鈥淲e need young people who are interested and invested in getting the true and correct information鈥攇etting real journalism onto any and all platforms that consumers are migrating to鈥攁nd you are best positioned to be able to do that,鈥� Sellers said.

Having the opportunity to learn from an alumna like Sellers inspired many students, including Kominski, of Longmont.

鈥淗earing from Savannah Sellers was so amazing, because now I know it鈥檚 possible to get into this career and make it my own,鈥� he said.

That鈥檚 a perspective Iris Berkeley (Jour鈥�01), operations manager for the student-run Radio 1190 station, recalled from her own time as a CU 51传媒 student.

鈥淎s an undergrad, I was heavily involved in student media, including not only Radio 1190 but also CU鈥檚 campus press,鈥� said Berkeley, who attended J-Day along with student representatives for the station. 鈥淏oth of those activities were hugely important when it came to establishing a career, and just helping me figure out what I loved most about the media field.鈥�

From those opportunities as a campus journalist, Berkeley has enjoyed a varied career in media and communication that has included radio production, hosting and DJing.

That sense of possibility is what Patrick Moring, executive board president for the Colorado Student Media Association, wants for the students who bring such enthusiasm to J-Day.

鈥淛-Day fires students up, it gets students excited,鈥� said Moring, also the advisor for Rampart High School鈥檚 television broadcast program. 鈥淚t gives them ideas about the tools that they need to work on if they want to have a career in this field and be a better journalist.鈥�

More than 1,400 Colorado high school students and advisors visited CMCI to sharpen storytelling skills and learn about careers in media and communication.

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Demonstrative democracy: At forum, students show energy, curiosity about engaging with politics

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Oct 2024 21:32:25 +0000

Demonstrative democracy: At forum, students show energy, curiosity about engaging with politics Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/02/2024 - 15:32

By Joe Arney
Photos by Arielle Wiedenbeck

In sports, it鈥檚 often said, offense wins games, but defense wins championships.

For Cody Walizer, when it comes to politics, that鈥檚 inverted鈥攇ood defense can win a debate, but it鈥檚 offense that wins elections. And that鈥檚 unusual because of how little time candidates spend on offense when they are sparring onstage.

鈥淲hen someone has an opportunity to build, to go on the offense, but choose to play defense, that鈥檚 a bad sign for their position,鈥� Walizer, an assistant teaching professor of communication in the College of Media, Communication and Information, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also a sign maybe they鈥檙e trying to play these political games, as opposed to being a good debater.鈥�

Walizer was one of nearly a dozen panelists speaking at a voter engagement fair put on by CMCI, CU Student Government and the Office of the Chancellor, in association with CU 51传媒鈥檚 Conference on World Affairs. 51传媒 150 students attended on Tuesday night to ask questions about politics and elections, register to vote, and learn how to become involved in local elections.

Walizer was invited to participate because of his expertise in debate. He captained his high school debate team and has extensive experience coaching debaters, and said, 鈥淚 can very firmly state that I have never seen a presidential or vice presidential debate that was a good debate.鈥�

That鈥檚 because politicians rarely play offense, which Walizer described as constructing arguments and showing why your side is right. Instead, they play defense鈥攄econstructing arguments and saying why the other side is wrong.

Three panels answered questions submitted by students ahead of time, which covered issues such as the role social media plays in political messaging, how ideology plays out with voters, and how students can involve themselves and help ensure electoral integrity.

Not taking sides

Leah Sprain, an associate professor of communication and director of the university鈥檚 Center for Communication and Democratic Engagement, co-moderated the event and frequently praised the quality of questions that students contributed.

Sprain studies democratic engagement, particularly how to support the ways people come together to make decisions on public issues鈥攅nabling participation, designing better meetings or rethinking civic norms. When she has worked to help other groups structure their meetings more effectively, she found participants may assume more knowledge about a particular issue than they actually possess.

鈥淭hey wanted to hear more about how this election would have consequences throughout their lives,鈥� Sprain said. 鈥淭hey were asking about how to make sense of politics, versus just taking sides on issues. That surprised me.鈥�

Of nearly 200 student registrants, dozens submitted questions, 鈥渨hich is a proportion of interest you don鈥檛 typically see, especially when some people are registering for things like extra course credit.鈥�

Some of the liveliest discussion concerned social media鈥檚 capacity for good and harm, through generative artificial intelligence, advertising and the like. Sandra Ristovska, associate professor of media studies, and Alex Siegel, associate professor of political science, said elections have always been shaped by new technologies. Siegel said the railroad and telegraph helped create a national audience for Abraham Lincoln by offering more timely coverage of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

鈥淭hey were asking about how to make sense of politics, versus just taking sides on issues. That surprised me.鈥�
Leah Sprain, associate professor, communication

Bogus content isn鈥檛 new, Ristovska said, and recent research suggests we鈥檙e good at not letting it influence how we vote, but in India鈥檚 elections earlier this year, 鈥渄eepfakes did contribute to sexual harassment of women, the intimidation of journalists and the intimidation of human rights activists in the country,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e need to be paying more attention to those things.鈥�

Michaele Ferguson, an associate professor of political science, talked about an essay she has students write at the start of her undergraduate course on modern ideologies. Each student describes his or her ideology; she consistently finds students support a mix of free-market economics and social justice issues, like reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights.

That鈥檚 not a coalition you typically see in the United States, she said, as those issues are claimed, respectively, by the right and left of the spectrum. Ferguson said she鈥檚 intrigued by Vice President Kamala Harris鈥� attempt to signal support for both camps 鈥渁s a way to peel away voters who would otherwise sit out elections or vote Republican.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting to me to see her doing the very thing that my class exercise would tell you is the strategy to win an election in the United States.鈥�

Other presenters included Chuck Plunkett, director of CU News Corps; Toby Hopp, associate professor of advertising; Patrick Deneen, a visiting scholar at the university鈥檚 Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization; Molly Fitzpatrick (PolSci鈥�11), 51传媒 County clerk; and junior Grace Covney, a tri-executive with CU Student Government.

Learning to lead through government

Tyler Rowan, another CUSG tri-executive and a junior studying international affairs, said he hoped the energy of the room translated into active participants in the election.

He got into student government not for partisan reasons, he said, but because 鈥淚 wanted to make the most out of school and learn how to lead. Student government has taught me that鈥攊t鈥檚 taken a majority of my time, but I鈥檓 very passionate about it and it鈥檚 the best decision I ever made.鈥�

That youthful energy was exciting for Walizer to see, as well.

鈥淭he emotional intelligence students need to have to be asking things about how do I engage in politics in a way that鈥檚 healthy, how do I have conversations with my roommates in a way that鈥檚 respectful鈥攖hose are not things I鈥檝e seen asked in a situation like this before,鈥� he said.

In addition to being open to all CU 51传媒 students, the discussion was livestreamed to audiences at Colorado Mesa University, in Grand Junction, and Fort Lewis College, in Durango. It was followed by a live viewing of the vice presidential debate between JD Vance and Tim Walz.

Lori Bergen, founding dean of CMCI, kicked off the event by encouraging students to seek out difficult conversations as a way to learn and grow.

鈥淥n our campus, we really are in a place where difficult conversations can and should occur,鈥� Bergen said. 鈥淲hen we approach those with courage and curiosity and care and consistency, that鈥檚 when learning and growth and progress really happen.鈥�

CMCI faculty panelists praised students for raising thoughtful, serious, nonpartisan questions about how to be active citizens.

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