2024
Journalism & Public Relations Day
April 17, 2024 – University Student Union Ballrooms, USU 2nd Floor
Staying informed, engaged and inspired during an anything goes political season
From alternative facts to artificial intelligence, insidious algorithms, criminal indictments, and disinformation bots, this year’s presidential election seems more like a constitutional train wreck instead of the pinnacle of American political processes. How can we make sense of it all? How can journalists cover campaigns when basic facts are up for debate? And how can public relations professionals break through the new information disorder to reach constituents?
JPR Day 2024’s keynote speaker and panelists will discuss how incivility and the modern media maelstrom have affected the ways they approach covering candidates and working in public service. They will also offer tips on how students can cut through the confusion and BS so they can be informed, engaged and inspired in a polarizing political climate.
| Doors Open – 9:00AM |  |
| 9:30AM to 10:45AM |
Keynote: Voting, Today More (But Just Once Per Person!) Than Ever |
 Gustavo Arellano |
Gustavo Arellano Gustavo Arellano is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, covering Southern California everything and a bunch of the West and beyond. He previously worked at OC Weekly, where he was an investigative reporter for 15 years and editor for six, wrote a column called ¡Ask a Mexican! and is the author of “Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America.” He’s the child of two Mexican immigrants, one of whom came to this country in the trunk of a Chevy. Host: Gwen Shaffer |
|
11:00AM to Noon |
Panel: Working in journalism and public relations in a polarizing political climate |
 Jason Ruiz  Patrice Smith  Holly Baird  Seema Mehta |
Jason Ruiz Patrice Smith Holly Baird Seema Mehta Moderator: Barbara Kingsley-Wilson |
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12:00PM to 12:30PM |
Lunch in the USU Ballrooms |
| 12:30PM to 1:30PM | Awards Ceremony |