Many different members the community of Nebraska joined together to explore the state of news media in our society and how it relates to American democracy. “An Issue of Trust” was a body of local, regional, and Pulitzer voices representing a variety of perspectives and prompting community conversations across the state. Events were held in Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, and Scottsbluff/Gering.
Humanities Nebraska worked with local, state, and national partners to offer a series of community conversations across the state during the fall of 2018 entitled “An Issue of Trust: Democracy and the Future of Journalism.”
The program series offered the opportunity for the general public to engage in discussion with panels of renowned journalists in Kearney, Lincoln, Norfolk, North Platte, Omaha, and Scottsbluff/Gering. This program explored questions such as:
- What role should the news media play in our democracy?
- What role is the news media currently playing in our democracy?
- How do we identify biased or inaccurate information?
- What does the future hold for consumption and dissemination of news?
- What are the obligations of citizens and journalists in today’s news media environment?
Panelists represented a variety of perspectives on the position of the news media in our society and how this relates to the state of American democracy. They included local and regional voices as well as Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists.
“We are thrilled to be working with the communities across the state to provide opportunities for Nebraskans to explore these important issues. A core aspect of our work as a state humanities council is to find ways to bring people together through the humanities, and sometimes this means addressing topics that are challenging and divisive.”
– Chris Sommerich, Humanities Nebraska executive director
This program series is part of a national “Democracy and the Informed Citizen” initiative administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils which involves state humanities councils throughout the country who are seeking to engage the public in discussion of the vital connections between democracy, the humanities, journalism, and an informed citizenry.
An Issue of Trust: Democracy and the Future of Journalism was presented by Humanities Nebraska in partnership with the Federation of State Humanities Councils, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and The Pulitzer Prizes
Find A Program Available Near You
Norfolk
Thanks to all who participated!
October 16 – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Northeast Community College, Cox Activities Center
Scottsbluff/Gering
Thanks to all who participated!
October 18 – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Midwest Theater, Scottsbluff
Omaha
Thanks to all who participated!
October 30 – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at UNO Milo Bail Student Center
North Platte
Thanks to all who participated!
November 14 – 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. at Prairie Arts Center
Kearney
Thanks to all who participated!
November 15 – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at The World Theatre
Lincoln
Thanks to all who participated!
November 28 – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Nebraska Innovation Campus
Watch video of the Norfolk, Kearney and Lincoln forums at NETNebraska.org.