NESPA to host conference Friday, May 3 at Boston University
Thomas Fiedler, College of Communication dean, to give keynote speech,‘Why Journalism Matters’
Thomas Fiedler, dean of Boston University’s College of Communication, will give the keynote speech, “Why Journalism Matters,” at the New England Scholastic Press Association’s 71st annual conference Friday, May 3.
He will focus on “why journalism remains distinct among all other modes of communications—and why it matters now more than ever.”
Prof. Fiedler became the dean 11 years ago this June after a distinguished career in journalism.
After graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy with a bachelor’s in engineering, he earned a master’s in journalism at COM.
Later, he joined the Miami Herald, where he worked for more than 30 years as an investigative reporter, a political columnist, the editorial page editor, and finally, the executive editor, from 2001 to 2007.
He is probably best known for his political journalism, which included covering every U.S. presidential campaign between 1972 and 1996.
His reporting on the 1988 presidential campaign won him the Society of Professional Journalists’ top award. His investigative report into an extremist cult’s political tactics was part of a Miami Herald series that won a 1991 Pulitzer Prize.
With refreshments available from 7:30-8:30, conference sessions will be from 9 until 2:30 at Boston University’s College of Communication, 640 Commonwealth Ave., Boston.
Students, teachers, Boston University faculty and media specialists will share information with the aim of supporting excellence in scholastic journalism.
Also at the conference, delegates will find panels, exhibits, round-tables and workshops where they can learn about the latest trends, and share concerns and ideas.
Advisers can sign up for detailed publication critiques and on-site visits.
Session topics
- Advertising and business side
- Best practices online
- Basic mobile reporting skills
- Careers in broadcast journalism
- Developing literary magazines
- Editorial policies
- Feature writing
- Interview techniques
- Investigative reporting
- Law and the scholastic press
- News writing
- Opinion coverage and writing
- Photojournalism
- Sports writing and editing
- Yearbook coverage, writing and design.
Awards and recognition
Presentation of the All New England Awards will honor outstanding broadcast, print, print/online and online productions and publications in their school population categories.
Productions and publications will also receive Special Achievement Awards based on the excellence of individual submissions.
Individual professionals will be recognized for their contributions to the scholastic press in New England.
Benefits of pre-registration
Those whose forms arrive at Boston University by April 5 will receive a preliminary conference program and speakers’ list, and a list of places to have lunch nearby.
For information on joining NESPA and entering contests, please see Spring, 2019 newsletter on this website.
