Gene Policinski, a former editor for USA Today, has worked as a reporter in television, radio, and newspaper was invited by
Samford University to speak on the subject of Legal Journalism
Here’s a report from the Samford University newspaper on his talk – he’s obviously not that impressed by legal journalists !
Policinski speaks on future of legal journalism
http://samfordcrimson.com/2012/policinski-speaks-on-future-of-legal-journalism/
Every year, the department of journalism and mass communication invites an acclaimed journalist to speak to students as part of the Timothy Sumner Robinson Forum.
The forum honors the late Samford graduate?s outstanding journalism career with The Washington Post.
This year?s speaker Gene Policinski spoke last night about the First Amendment and the future of legal journalism.
Policinski, a former editor for USA Today, has worked as a reporter in television, radio, and newspapers; additionally, he received an Emmy for a public broadcast program called ?Speaking Freely? that he hosted from 2001 to 2005.
He is currently the senior vice president and executive director of the First Amendment Center, which seeks to educate people about the five freedoms guaranteed to U.S. citizens by this amendment, as well as encourage study and thoughtful debate over the issues that come with these rights of self-expression.
?This is going to be an exceptional night,? journalism and mass communication department chair Dr. Bernie Ankney said prior to the event.
Ankney hoped to see many JMC students attend the event to gain what he deems an invaluable learning experience. Education benefits aside, he also noted that the event gave students the opportunity to congratulate this year?s Robinson Fellow and meet the Robinson family, which has been a constant source of financial support for the JMC department.
Policinski began the evening by discussing the evolution of the relationship between journalists and the court system over the past decades.
While there once existed greater transparency and communication between the two, recent security fears and a dearth of legal journalists have greatly limited this communication.
Policinski said this absence of communication is critically important because reporters have an important role in keeping the judicial branch accountable and explaining court proceedings to the public who may not otherwise be given any information.
Legal journalism is currently in a dangerous position due to economic pressures and a lack of knowledge and interest on the part
of journalists.
Consequently, the accessibility and accountability of the judicial system is at stake.
To resolve this problem, Policinski wants to see changes in the way that journalism students are educated and prepared for their careers.
Since many graduates enter into legal reporting at a young age, it is important to give students a basic understanding of the court process and legal vocabulary so they can communicate more effectively with both the court system and the public.
To that end, he encouraged the attending students to learn more about law, which would give them an edge in their future job market, and promoted partnerships between colleges and local judicial systems.
Policinski also took the opportunity to remind students of the unique importance of journalists and the news media.
?You hold that entire system accountable in the most positive way,? he said. ?You are a guarantor of liberty? You are no less than that.?
