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Big data. Big search. Big opportunities. Big complications. And big implications for the First Amendment, privacy, information security and the media. The tenth annual Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Media Ethics Workshop will focus on the big question of “Data Minefields?” and will take place in ����ɫ��ҹ University’s Franklin Hall on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Robert Hernandez, a self-proclaimed “hackademic,” and assistant professor of Professional Practice (Data) at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism will give the keynote address. Hernandez uses journalism and technology to empower people, inform reporting and storytelling, engage community, improve distribution and, whenever possible, enhance revenue.

 Joe Vealencis, the director of strategic communications for the National Counterterrorism Center, will discuss "Countering the Terrorist Threat in an Age of Transparency." Vealencis manages the agency’s external relationship with foreign partners, congressional oversight committees and national print and television media.

 “Data is such an important issue now with concerns about privacy, security, marketing, and, of course, using data to enrich stories,” said Jan Leach, workshop organizer and associate professor in ����ɫ��ҹ’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication. “We're going to look at all those issues, and we have some high-profile speakers lined up to weigh in on the topics.”

Celebrating the conference’s tenth year at ����ɫ��ҹ, “Data Minefields?” will focus on topics such as information privacy, transparency in data collection, sports data, data journalism and the future of news.

Workshop speakers, in addition to Kelly McBride and Ellyn Angelotti Kamke of the Poynter Institute include:

• Jeremy Gilbert - As director of strategic initiatives at the Washington Post, Gilbert works to identify, create and execute new digital products and storytelling experiences.

• Jennifer LaFleur - Currently the senior editor for data journalism at The Center for Investigative Reporting, LaFleur has won several awards for her coverage of disability, legal and open government issues.

• Daniel Lathrop - As projects data editor of the Dallas Morning News, Lathrop “tells stories with computer code.” In 2008, Lathrop received a White House Correspondents Association Edgar A. Poe Award for revealing the failure of the post-9/11 FBI to pursue white-collar criminals.

• Gina Miller - The vice president and director of customer experience at CBD Marketing, Miller is no stranger to in-depth online research methods. Described as “insatiably curious,” Miller is known to constantly ask, “Why?”

• Chris Quinn - As vice president of content at the Northeast Ohio Media Group, Quinn acts as leader of online news strategy for the digitally focused news operation in The Plain Dealer market area.

• Jill Riepenhoff - As projects reporter for The Columbus Dispatch, Riepenhoff advocates for open government, transparency in college athletics and consumer-financial protection.

• Jennifer Smith Richards - Also from The Columbus Dispatch, Smith Richards has more than 10 years of experience as an education reporter.

• Bruce Winges – Since joining the Akron Beacon Journal in 1982, Winges has held a variety of editing and management positions. He was named editor and vice president in 2007.

• Additional speakers and guests will be announced soon.

“Attending this workshop is a great opportunity for professionals, students and educators because the topics are timely and results of the discussions can be applied immediately at work or in classes,” Leach said. “The workshop brings together high-profile speakers for debate on hot topics, and students add to that debate with their perspectives and expectations.”

The program will draw a national audience through live streaming and mobile devices. In-person attendees and web viewers can contribute to discussions and ask questions via Twitter, using the hashtag #ksuethics14.

Detailed information:

What: Tenth annual Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Media Ethics Workshop, “Data Minefields?”

When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014

Where: FirstEnergy Auditorium in Franklin Hall, 550 Hilltop Dr., ����ɫ��ҹ University

Cost: $25 for media and public relations professionals, $20 for educators and FREE for students

Event website for details and registration: Available soon

Questions: Contact Jan Leach, 330-672-4289 or jleach1@kent.edu; or Michele McBride Simonelli, Esq., 330-398-1393 or mmcbri13@kent.edu   

The Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Media Ethics Workshop is sponsored by the Poynter Institute, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Akron Beacon Journal, the Akron Area Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, the Media Law Center for Ethics and Access, the College of Communication and Information, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and TeleProductions.

The Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Media Ethics Workshop is a one-day training program for professionals, educators and students which examines critical issues and perspectives in media ethics. Moderated by distinguished Poynter ethics faculty, the workshop provides a unique forum for professionals and students alike to confront and discuss premier issues crucial to understanding media ethics and its effect on our world. Previous Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Workshops have addressed online ethics, sports media ethics and ethical issues in political reporting. Established in 2004, The Poynter ����ɫ��ҹ Media Ethics Workshop continues its mission to strengthen media credibility and bolster citizens’ faith in media integrity.

The Media Law Center for Ethics and Access offers workshops and seminars in media ethics and access to government information. It provides advice and counsel for anyone — journalists, government officials or members of the public — with questions about ethics or access or related media law concerns. The Center was founded in 1991 to provide information and research on accessing government records and meetings. It was expanded in 2007 to include ethics training and to address issues of access and ethics in online journalism. The Media Law Center is located at ����ɫ��ҹ University and is the only center of its kind in Ohio and one of the few in the Midwest.

In its 78th year, the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ����ɫ��ҹ University is a leading accredited journalism school with cutting-edge curriculum and facilities. The school’s mission is focused on understanding the media marketplace and media -related careers while providing professional undergraduate and master’s programs within the liberal arts tradition. JMC teaches its students to gather information, to present it clearly and to think critically within a legal and ethical framework. It serves as a resource for professional practitioners, for media consumers and for ����ɫ��ҹ University. For more information, visit www.kent.edu/jmc.

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Media Contacts:
Jennifer Kramer, jlkramer@kent.edu, 330-672-1960
Bob Burford, rburford@kent.edu, 330-672-8516