Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy

A project of the Aspen Institute and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation / The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of Communities in a Democracy
MontanaCommunity Forum Agenda
The University of Montana Campus, Missoula  October 25, 2008

Forum on Meeting the Public’s Information Needs in Montana

The University of Montana · 32 Campus Drive·

Missoula, Montana59812

Campus Map:

Roundtable Format: Each speaker will offer no more than seven minutes of prepared remarks. Members of the Commission will pose questions (and panelists will exchange views with one another) for about 20 minutes. We will then be open to comments and questions from the floor.

8:45-9:00Welcome and Introductions

GallagherBusinessBuilding, Room 104

9:00-10:30Videoconference on the Needs of Agriculture and Small Communities

GallagherBusinessBuilding, Room 104 (see bottom of page for videoconference locations)

Moderator: William Marcus, Director, BroadcastMediaCenter, The University of Montana, Montana Public Radio/KUFM-TV, Montana PBS

Senator Jerry Black, KSEN/KZIN Radio. (Videoconference location: Great FallsCollege of Technology)

Joe Hansen, Big Timber News Citizen Newspaper Group, Executive Director, Western EMS Network. (Videoconference location: BurnsCenter 126, Bozeman, MT)

Gary Moseman, Managing Editor, Great Falls Tribune. (Videoconference location: Great FallsCollege of Technology)

Russell Nemetz, Agriculture Director for the Northern Agriculture Network, and coordinates nation’s best Farm Broadcaster Team. (Videoconference location: Great FallsCollege of Technology)

Douglas Steele, Vice President and Director of Extension, MontanaStateUniversity. (Location: BurnsCenter 126, Bozeman, MT)

11:00-12:30Public Information Needs on the Environment and Natural Resources

UC Theatre, 3rd floor of the University Center

11:00-12:30Public Information Needs of the Environment and Natural Resources

UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the UniversityCenter

Moderator: Nadia White, Assistant Professor, University of MontanaSchool of Journalism

Gayla Benefield, Community Organizer, Libby, Montana

Tom France, Director, National Wildlife Foundation Northern RockiesNaturalResourceCenter

Ian Marquand, Special Projects Coordinator, KPAX Television, and President, Montana Society of Professional Journalists

Ray Ring, Senior Editor, High Country News

Jonathan Weber, Publisher and CEO, NewWest.net

12:30-1:30Lunch Break, University Center Food Court

1:30-3:00The Information Needs of Underserved People and Communities

UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the UniversityCenter

Moderator: Sally Mauk, News Director, Montana Public Radio

Mark Anderlik, Executive Officer, UNITE HERE Local 427, and President, Missoula Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO

Luella Brien, Former Reporter, Billings Gazette, Member, Crow Tribe

Ellie Hill, Executive Director, PoverelloCenter

Patty LaPlant, Enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and Coordinator of the National Native Children’s TraumaCenter, The University of Montana

Richard Wolff, Gilhousen Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, MontanaStateUniversity

3:15-4:45The Public’s Needs for Political Information

UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the UniversityCenter

Moderator: Mike Gulledge, Publisher, Billings Gazette

Linda Gray, President, Max Media of Montana

Charles S. Johnson, Chief, LeeState Bureau

Stephen Maly, Director, Helena Civic TV

Matt Singer, CEO, Forward Montana, and Blogger, Left in the West

K'Lynn Sloan, Montana Correspondent, MTV Choose or Lose Street Team '08

4:45-5:00 Closing Remarks