Third Thursday webinars - Election Coverage down the backstretch: Get off the track

May 16, 2024 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (EDT)

Description

On the third Thursday of each month, the MBA presents webinars on various subjects through its Sound Bites Digital series.  Members, email Jordan Walton for the registration code. 

"Election Coverage down the backstretch: Get off the track"

with Kevin Benz, I-Media Strategies

The 2024 elections are testing journalists as never before as truth takes a backseat to self-interest and polarization makes neutral coverage almost impossible. How do we cover candidates who treat truth as a convenience and voters who look for agreement over clarity. This session will take political polarization head on, giving real options for journalists interested in telling the truth over talking points. We will also look at specific coverage examples that take coverage away from the horse race and focus on the candidate.

Registration coming soon

About the Speaker

A University of Texas graduate, Kevin began his career in broadcast journalism as a nationally recognized, award-winning news photographer, first at KTBC-TV in Austin, Texas, then WRAL-TV in Raleigh, North Carolina. He spent 8 years at KPRC-TV in Houston where he also worked as an MMJ. In 1999 Kevin launched News 8 Austin and spent over 11 years there as News Director.

In 2011, CultureMap Austin was born. As Editor in chief, Kevin and his team built a digital magazine that quickly became the most read culture and lifestyle source in the city. Promoted to General Manager, Kevin took over marketing and sales, creating a sustainable business model.

Under his guidance News 8 Austin received national recognition with two Sigma Delta Chi awards, the National Edward R. Murrow award, three National Walter Cronkite awards for excellence in Political Journalism and was a finalist for the DuPont-Columbia Award.

Kevin’s personal honors also include the Western Heritage award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Kevin is former Chairman of the Radio, Television, Digital News Foundation (formerly RTNDA); a Poynter Institute leadership fellow and visiting faculty member; a Carole Kneeland Project fellow, trainer, and member of their Board. He also served as Chairman of the Texas Associated Press Broadcaster’s board of directors and is a founder of the Southwest Broadcast Workshops.