On February 23, 2012, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University presented a daylong symposium examining media coverage of sports scandals. The event, held on campus, included four panel discussions on journalism; victims’ rights and advocacy; public relations; and ethics. [Visit the Newhouse School website for highlights.]
The Journalists
The first panel featured Michael J. Connor, executive editor of The Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.); Jeff D’Alessio, assistant to the CEO of Sporting News; Mike Feeley, assistant managing editor of The Patriot-News (Harrisburg, Pa.); Mike McAndrew, reporter and editor with The Post-Standard; Pete Thamel ’99, college sports reporter with The New York Times; and Vince Doria, senior vice president and director of news with ESPN. Moderator was Joel Kaplan, associate dean at the Newhouse School.
The Advocates
The second panel featured Robert Hoatson, executive director of Road to Recovery; Katherine Redmond, founder of the National Coalition Against Violent Athletes; Julie Cecile G’91, executive director of McMahon/Ryan Child Advocacy Center; and Allison Young, director of sexual abuse services with Elmcrest Children’s Center. Moderator was Aileen Gallagher, assistant professor of magazine journalism at the Newhouse School.
The PR Professionals
The third panel featured Leland Bassett, chairman and CEO of Bassett and Bassett Incorporated, Communications Managers and Counselors; Keith Burton, president of Insidedge; Gary Grates G’99, principal of WCG Worldwide; and Kelly Rossman-McKinney, CEO and principal of Truscott Rossman. Moderator was Brenda Wrigley, chair of public relations at the Newhouse School.
The Ethicists
The fourth panel featured David Rubin, professor and dean emeritus of the Newhouse School; Tom Rosenstiel, director and founder of the Project for Excellence in Journalism; and Robert Steele, professor and director of the Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics at DePauw University. Moderator was Lorraine Branham, dean of the Newhouse School.
Photos