Fair Media Council: Real News, Powerful Conversations Happen Dec. 5 On Long Island

LongIsland.com

Giving the public an inside look at some of the most compelling stories in news and politics today.

Print Email

The Fair Media Council's Jaci Clement.

Photo by: Chris Boyle

Long Island, NY - November 22, 2017 - The best in national and local news gather on Long Island on Dec. 5 to give the public an inside look at some of the most compelling stories in news and politics today. Featuring more than 60 notable speakers in 12 panel discussions ranging from the "Trump Effect on the News" to "What Happened to the Promise of Suburbia?," "The News Conference: Real & Powerful" runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. It is a new signature event from the Fair Media Council.
 
The day begins with America's Got Talent's Golden Buzzer Winner Christian Guardino, a talented local high school student from Patchogue, Long Island, singing the National Anthem at breakfast. 
 
What follows is a panel discussion on the state of news and media in America today, featuring The Daily Beast's Senior Editor and WNET President Neal Shapiro in a conversation moderated by Fair Media Council CEO and Executive Director Jaci Clement.
 
The 2017 Cartoonist of the Year, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Walt Handelsman, editorial cartoonist at The New Orleans Advocate, keynotes the luncheon with a multimedia presentation illustrating Handelsman's still and animated cartoons on news and politics. 
 
"The response to this conference has been tremendous," said Fair Media Council's Jaci Clement. "The range of talent and expertise that's come together has truly defined this event as one of the most notable media conferences in the country. Never has there been a more important time to bring the media together with the public, to increase understanding of how news is created and build mutual respect between the news and the news consumer. Of course, we're exceptionally proud to show Long Island as the place for this to happen."
 
The 12 breakout sessions taking place throughout the day provide exclusive opportunities to hear from journalists and experts take on topics behind the year's major stories. They include:
 
TRUMP EFFECT ON THE NEWS
Sure, media outlets have enjoyed a Trump Bump in circulation and interest, but nonstop Tweetstorms, canceled news conferences and attacks on the news have radically changed the dynamic between POTUS and the press. Where’s democracy headed?
 
Moderator: Carolyn Schurr Levin, Media Law Attorney & Assistant Professor, Long Island University
 
Panelists:
 
  • Celeste Katz, Senior Political Writer, Newsweek
  • Patrick Halpin, Managing Director, Mercury & former Suffolk County Executive
  • Alex Martin, Writing Coach & former Deputy Managing Editor/Page One Editor, Wall Street Journal
  • Harry Siegel, Senior Editor, The Daily Beast & Columnist, New York Daily News
B. CYBER ATTACK ON DEMOCRACY
Real fake news from Russia, with love. The unfolding saga highlights our country’s vulnerability to cyber attacks and the victimization of an unsuspecting public. Building a wall won’t solve this problem. Now what?
 
Moderator: Sree Sreenivasan, Social & Digital Media Consultant
 
Panelists:
 
  • Michael Balboni, President & Managing Director, RedLand Strategies, Inc. & first Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
  • NJ Burkett, Correspondent, WABC-TV
  • Sharon Crowley, Reporter and Anchor, WNYW/FOX5
  • Tino Posillico, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Criminal Justice/Security Systems & Law Enforcement Technology, Farmingdale State College & Executive Officer, Protect New York
C. THE FIGHT FOR LOCAL NEWS
Local news doesn’t simply deliver news and information. It defines communities and determines what the topic of conversation will be in offices, schools and town hall meetings — even what you’ll be discussing at your dinner table. But economic pressures are crippling resources, and bringing you the news you need to know has never been harder. Get a look at the challenges facing newsrooms today.
 
Moderator: James N. Kinney, Partner, Mazars USA & Chair, Board of Directors, Fair Media Council
 
Panelists:
 
  • Carol D’Auria, Anchor & News Reporter, 1010WINS
  • Bruce Lambert, The New York Times (Retired)
  • Diane Masciale, Vice President & General Manager, WLIW21/WNET
  • Tim Scheld, News & Programming Director, WCBS Newsradio 880
  • David Winzelberg, Real Estate & Development Reporter, Long Island Business News
D. WEATHERING THE STORMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Five years after Superstorm Sandy. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, yet the topic of climate change remains as controversial as ever: 13 federal agencies recently released a report citing humans as the major cause of climate change, yet the White House isn’t convinced. Experts and eyewitnesses weigh in. 
 
Moderator: George Gorman, Jr., Deputy Regional Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
 
Panelists:
 
  • Craig Allen, Chief Meteorologist, WCBS Newsradio 880
  • Jerry Barmash, Street Reporter, 77 WABC Radio
  • Michael F. Canders, Ph.D., ATP, Director, Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College & Former Commander, 106th Rescue Wing, Military & Special Operations Rescue Pilot
  • Gary Conte, Meteorologist & Warning Coordinator Meteorologist, National Weather Service
  • Sandra J. Garren, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University
E. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROMISE OF SUBURBIA?
Seventy years ago, Long Island birthed the ‘burbs with a promise of sleepy neighborhoods to raise happy families. Today, gang violence, an opioid epidemic, and racism, aided by a resurgence of the KKK, are chronicled daily in our news. People are starving here. WTH happened?
 
Moderator: Salvatore Ferro, President & CEO, Alure Home Improvements
 
Panelists:
 
  • Robert J. DeSena, Founder, The Council for Unity, & former gang member
  • Drew Scott, Senior Correspondent & News Anchor, News12 Long Island (Retired)
  • Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi, New York 3rd District
  • Paule T. Pachter, A.C.S.W., L.M.S.W., Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Cares, Inc.
F. WHAT'S TRENDING FOR 2018
Immigration. Healthcare. Gun control. Climate change. War.  A look at what topics will define the 2018 public conversation, and how the news media will be adapting to meet the challenges of the digital landscape.
 
Moderator: Terry Lynam, Senior Vice President & Chief Public Relations Officer, Northwell Health & Senior Vice President, Board of Directors, Fair Media Council
 
Panelists:
 
  • Frank Eltman, Reporter, The Associated Press
  • Ann Givens, Law Enforcement Reporter, The Trace
  • Reg Gale, Deputy Managing Editor, Bloomberg News
G. THE MEDIA TAKES THE STAND
How will journalists regain trust with the public in the age of fake news? Some news organizations are simply sticking to the facts as a way to battle their critics, but many suggest it will take more than solid reporting to counter perceptions that the media doesn’t like America, as POTUS has claimed. Worthy of note: Recent surveys put Trump’s approval rating at 37 percent, while the public’s approval of the media bumped up — to 41 percent.  Is now the time to define a new standard for an industry that serves to protect a complex and ever-changing democracy?
 
Moderator: TBA
 
Panelists:
 
  • Michael Dawidziak, Founder & President, Strategic Planning Systems, Inc.
  • Gary Lewi, Managing Director, Rubenstein
  • Ralph R. Ortega, Adjunct Professor, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
  • Dan Shelley, Executive Director, Radio Television Digital News Association
H. REPORTER ROUNDTABLE
Take a deep dive into what stories the news media is covering based on what the public wants, and how the media knows it. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek at tomorrow’s headlines and the inner workings of what defines “news.”
 
Moderator: Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., CEAP, SAP, President & Chief Executive Officer, Family & Children’s Association
 
Panelists:
 
  • Pei-Sze Cheng, Investigative Reporter, NBC New York
  • Marla Diamond, Reporter & Anchor, WCBS Newsradio 880
  • Jodi Goldberg, Reporter, WNYW/FOX5
  • More panelists being confirmed
I. FAKE NEWS VS. WRONG NEWS
Learn how to identify the key differences between fake news and wrong news in this exclusive educational opportunity, featuring a brief informative presentation by Charles Glasser, Esq., followed by a panel discussion that’s sure to be as entertaining as it is enlightening.
 
Moderator: Charles Glasser, Esq., NYU Journalism & Former Global Legal Counsel, Bloomberg Media
 
Pat Milton, Senior Producer, CBS News
Ben Mevorach, News & Programming Director, 1010 WINS
Panelist being confirmed. 
 
J. TRUTH, JUSTICE & THE COMICS
Three of the best editorial cartoonists in the business sit down to discuss the art of the craft while sharing insight and opinions on recent controversies, ranging from Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten’s cartoon that caused protests throughout the Middle East to the burning of Charlie Hebdo’s Paris office.
 
Moderator: TBA
 
Panelists:
 
  • Matt Davies, Editorial Cartoonist, Newsday
  • Walt Handelsman, Editorial Cartoonist, The New Orleans Advocate
  • Jimmy Margulies, Editorial Cartoonist, amNewYork
K. EAT THE PRESS
Notable food influencers talk about what you’ll be hankering for in 2018, how the farm-to-table movement and other trends have evolved, the social media effect on the business of food, and the pressure to produce Instagram-worthy dishes.
 
Moderator: Steve Haweeli, Founder & President, Wordhampton Public Relations and Creator, Long Island Restaurant Week
 
Panelists:
 
  • Chef Marc Anthony Bynum, HUSH Bistro and Food Network’s Chopped Champion
  • Brian Halweil, Editor-in-Chief, Edible Brooklyn, Edible East End, Edible Long Island and Edible Manhattan magazines
  • Erica Marcus, Food Writer, Newsday
L. SPECIAL INTENSIVE MEDIA RELATIONS WORKSHOP FOR NONPROFITS
This two-hour workshop provides comprehensive guidance for organizations to effectively become part of the public conversation, raising their image and expanding awareness of their important work. 
 
Moderator: Donna Drake, Host of the Television Show, LiveItUp!
 
Presenters:
 
  • Jody Fisher, Vice President, Austin & Williams
  • Stacey Sweet, Executive Producer & Host, Life is Sweet TV
  • David North, Broadcaster & Journalist
  • Jamie Herzlich, Freelance Writer
Attendees of 'The News Conference: Real & Powerful" attend breakfast, lunch and their choice of three breakout sessions. Exhibitors and networking breaks round out the day. The event makes it easy for guests traveling from New York City and Northern New Jersey by taking place at the iconic Garden City Hotel, directly across the street from the LIRR's Garden City Train Station. No taxi is needed.
 
Advance registration is required, and tickets, sponsorships and exhibit booths are all on sale online at this link (copy and paste into your browser): https://www.fairmediacouncil.org/news-conference-tickets-sponsorships/.
 
Tickets to attend all day, breakfast only, lunch only or to attend only lunch and the nonprofit intensive workshop on media relations. 
 
This event is made possible, in part, by Northwell Health, Protiviti, The Nature's Bounty Co., the law firm of Murphy Bartol & O'Brien, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, South Nassau Communities Hospital, The Garden City Hotel, WNET/WLIW and Ultimate Class Limousine. 
 
The Fair Media Council is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, advocating for quality news and working to create a media savvy society. A portion of the ticket fees are tax deductible. To find out more, go to www.fairmediacouncil.org or call 516-224-1860, ext. 1.