Panel to examine media’s role in racial, political discourse

The University of Illinois at Chicago’s African American studies department will present “The Press, Race, and Contemporary Politics,” a panel discussion addressing the role of news media in debates about race and politics.

WHEN:

Feb. 28
4:30 – 6 p.m.

WHERE:

Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
Residents’ Dining Hall
800 S. Halsted St.

DETAILS:

From urban uprisings and the formation of black activist movements to the tumultuous 2016 presidential campaign, a panel of journalists and media scholars will look at examples of racial discourse in the news, particularly regarding African Americans as agents and actors.

Among the questions to be addressed: What are some of the high and low points in news coverage about African Americans? How does the press frame or represent African American protest? How was race positioned as a factor in the presidential campaign? How did African American-owned media respond to and shape political debates?

Featured panelists include Kathy Chaney, print managing editor of EBONY magazine and Chicago chapter president of the National Association of Black Journalists; Jane Rhodes, UIC professor and head of African American studies; Andrew Rojecki, UIC associate professor of communication; and Charles Whitaker, associate dean of journalism and a Helen Gurley Brown professor at Northwestern University.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call (312) 996-2950.