The University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications will host a panel discussion on race and the media on Monday, Feb. 28 at 2:30 p.m. in the Centennial Room of the Nebraska Union.
“Increasing awareness and understanding of racism in the media is a moral imperative for journalism educators,” said Shari Veil, dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. “We are bringing together academics and professionals to engage in a robust discussion to help students engage with these important issues.”
Panelists will speak on their experience in the media industry, including magazine production, advertising and public relations, photojournalism and newspaper media. After short presentations from each panelist, participants will ask questions and engage in a moderated discussion. Panelists include:
Roxy Szal, digital editor, Ms. Magazine
Roxy Szal is the digital editor at Ms. Magazine and a producer on the Ms. podcast "On the Issues With Michele Goodwin." She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with her master's in journalism in 2019. Before becoming a journalist, she was a Texas public school English teacher.
Shoun Hill, visiting professor, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Shoun Hill is a photo editor on the national news desk for the Associated Press and a visiting professor of photojournalism in the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications. He has more than 15 years of experience as a photojournalist working at newspapers in Louisville, Minneapolis, Jackson, Tennessee, Memphis and Orlando. Hill got his start as a reporter in the U.S. Army, where, in addition to writing stories, he shot photographs. He realized he enjoyed the freedom and creativity of photography.
Monique Farmer, assistant professor of practice, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Monique Farmer is an assistant professor of practice in the UNL College of Journalism and Mass Communications teaching strategic writing, public relations planning and strategy and public relations management and case studies. Before joining the college, Farmer served as the director of communications for Nebraska’s largest school district, Omaha Public Schools. Prior to that, she worked in corporate communications for ConAgra Foods and crisis communications for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Randy Essex, former editor, Omaha World-Herald
Randy Essex was the executive editor of The Omaha World-Herald from January 2020 to February 2022. He’s a Beatrice native and UNL graduate. His daily news career spans 40 years, every U.S. time zone and newspapers as small as the Glenwood Springs Post Independent in Colorado and as large as the Detroit Free Press. He’s overseen coverage of the Iowa caucuses for the Des Moines Register, the bankruptcy of General Motors and Chrysler in Detroit and the opioid epidemic for the Cincinnati Enquirer. He won the 2016 Burl Osborne Editorial Leadership Award from the American Society of News Editors for editorials urging decency toward immigrants in Colorado.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Assistant Professor Kelli Boling will moderate the discussion.
The panel discussion was organized by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.
“The committee felt it was important to bring working professionals together with our faculty to examine these issues,” said John Bender, associate dean in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and chair of the DEI committee. “We hope to reach students, professionals and the general public to advance the conversation on racism in our industries.”
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested for planning and event reminders. To learn more and register, visit our webpage here.
The panel can also be viewed on:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Z45yJL477Vo
LNKTV Education:
Allo Ch: 23
Spectrum: 1303
Windstream Kinetic: 1080
LNKTV Education Live Stream:
https://lnktv.lincoln.ne.gov/CablecastPublicSite/watch/1?channel=2
LNKTV Education can also be streamed on Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire. Search LNKTV in the app store.
LNKTV Education is also available on mobile devices. Download the Cablecast app and then select the LNKTV channel.
Contact: Kelli Boling, 402-472-3528, kelli.boling@unl.edu
