Former President of MSNBC Rashida Jones will headline a critical conversation on media and democracy along with other media leaders on April 23. hosted by the Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications (SHSJC).
The discussion will focus on the present and future of American media and news. Jones, a Hampton University Board of Trustee Member and alumna, led MSNBC for four years until her resignation in January. The cable news network announced last fall that it is breaking from NBC News when parent company Comcast spins it out into its own company.
“As media professionals, we must be able to discuss societal issues and think creatively about our industry’s future,” said Jones. “It’s also our responsibility and civic duty to share vetted, truthful information with local, national and international communities. We serve as role models to the next generation of journalists and that’s why it’s important for us to show up for them.”
Jones will be joined on the panel by Angilee Shah, CEO and editor-in-chief of Charlottesville Tomorrow. Shah will draw connections through her 20-plus years in international, national and local news, and explain the often unseen work it takes to report the ways communities are impacted by our changing political landscape.
“It’s really important that we come together in Virginia to collaborate on what we want from our information and news ecosystem. It’s also important for people to know what it takes to build a news ecosystem that is healthy both for the journalists and the communities they are serving,” said Shah. “I appreciate the chance to join this distinguished group in conversation.”
Other panelists include:
- Moderator: Nyla Cross ‘27, Hampton University, SHSJC journalism student, Harvard Du Bois Scholar
- Maurice Jones, Vice President of News, WHRO Public Media
- Karima Haynes, Director of Reporting Fellows Program, Pulitzer Center
- Jeffrey Reece, Director of Content, Virginian-Pilot
- Melinda Coleau (Woolbright), WRC NBC 4/ WZDC Telemundo 44 Planning Manager
Take Action
The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications will host the “State of the Media,” a public forum, on Wednesday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. in Hampton, Virginia. The panel is open to the public. Find out more and register here to attend the free event.
During the forum, panelists will share their insights on the state of our media — where we are now, where we are headed and how we need to prepare and survive in an increasingly unrecognizable environment that greatly differs from the strong democratic system that has thrived for generations.
“This is an urgent conversation at a critical time,” said SHSJC Dean Julia A. Wilson. “Even a simple glance at the news these days seems to bombard viewers, listeners and readers with seismic shifts in their assessments of our media landscape.”
If you are covering this event and have questions, the Hampton University media contact is Devika Koppikar who you can reach at devika.koppikar [at] hamptonu.edu.
