A panel of journalism pros and related experts will discuss whether “more public engagement and support” can “transform and reinvigorate civic journalism.”

Spoiler alert. The answer is yes we can!

But how to get there? The panel will look at a bunch of ideas, including (and most importantly, from my perspective) “a summary of research findings and recommendations from an October 2019 report by the Colorado Media Project, which convened national, state, and local leaders in journalism, government, libraries, higher education, technology, and law to study Colorado public policy pathways for sustaining local news and civic information.”

There’s a lot of hot air blown when you talk about how to save journalism, but this report has potential to break new ground in our community, mostly because it’s coming from the Colorado Media Project, which has a track record of creative thinking and fundraising on the save-local-journalism front. The group has raised real money, organized smart people, and launched some practical projects.

So, don’t miss the Oct. 14 panel 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. (Plus you get a free breakfast, while space is available.) It takes place in the Terrace Room at CU-Denver School of Public Affairs, 1380 Lawrence. Sign up here.

The Panel, moderated by Corey Hutchins of Colorado Independent and Columbia Journalism Review fame, includes:

  • Melissa Davis, Vice President for Informed Communities, Gates Family Foundation
  • JB Holston, Dean, College of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Denver
  • Gregory Moore, CEO of Deke Digital and Denver Post Editor from 2002 to 2016
  • Mike Rispoli, News Voices Director, Free Press
  • Nancy Watzman, Executive Director, Colorado Media Project
  • Steven Zansberg, Senior Counsel for Ballard Spahr and President of Colorado Freedom of Information Coalition

Again, RSVPhere.