Past Events

Behind the Scenes of the 2023 Gubernatorial Election 

In the days leading up to the election, Louisiana candidates worked to outsmart one another in order to secure the most votes. This event features a panel discussion featuring campaign and finance leaders who speak on the behind-the-scenes strategies of the four leading Louisiana gubernatorial campaigns.This event explores the fundamental strategies of each team, while providing information to viewers on the latest developments in campaign financing. Join the LSU Reilly Center and partners to hear from campaign insiders who worked to support Governor-Elect Jeff Landry, alongside candidates Shawn Wilson, Stephen Waguespack and Hunter Lundy. 

• Kara St. Cyr, Moderator, Multimedia Journalist, Louisiana Public Broadcasting
• Dr. Steven Procopio, Moderator, Director, Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) 
• Cory Dennis, Campaign Manager, Landry for Louisiana 
• Pres Robinson, Campaign Strategist and Pollster, Lundy for Louisiana 
• Brandin Campbell, Campaign Manager, Shawn Wilson for Governor 
• Korey Ryder, Political Director, Stephen Waguespack for Louisiana 
• Jason Hebert, President and Co-Founder, The Political Firm

Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution, Film Screening and Panel Discussion 

Twenty-six percent of Americans live with a physical and/or invisible disability. Dubbed the ‘invisible minority,’ the rights of those with disabilities were overlooked by the civil rights movement in the 1960s. However, on the heels of Woodstock, a revolution blossomed in a ramshackle summer camp for teens with disabilities that transformed their lives and ignited a landmark movement culminating with the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as we host a film screening and panel discussion exploring the state of disability civil rights today and the role college communities play in supporting those with disabilities.

• Tiffany Smith - Moderator, Ph.D. candidate at LSU Manship School of Mass Communication.
• Jim Lebrecht - Keynote speaker. Filmmaker, sound designer, and disability rights activist. Co-director with Nicole Newnham of Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution
• Gia Gervais - Disability rights activist, Louisiana Department of Health’s regional advisory board on disability policy
• Aydin Virga - LSU Accessibility Project, LSU Law School student
• Catherine Rios - LSU student

How to Win the War on Truth: Book Presentation with Author Samuel C. Spitale

In this interview, Manship alumnus and author Samuel C. Spitale discusses his book How to Win the War on Truth: An Illustrated Guide to How Mistruths Are Sold, Why They Stick, and How to Reclaim Reality. In an era dominated by misinformation and fake news, this book offers a compelling roadmap for navigating the complexities of truth and deception. During the discussion, Spitale sheds light on the manipulation tactics employed by those who seek to distort reality. By examining the psychological and sociopolitical forces at play, he encourages media consumers to challenge and debunk falsehoods. Don't miss this chance to arm yourself with some knowledge to navigate the modern information landscape. 

The Hubert Humphrey Legacy: A Conversation Between Robert Mann and Samuel Freedman

In this conversation, Manship School professor Robert Mann and Columbia University professor Samuel Freedman, talked about Hubert Humphrey's time as a graduate student at LSU in 1939-40 and its profound influence on his views on civil rights. We navigated into Humphrey’s experiences during a challenging racial climate in Louisiana. The conversation drew an intertextuality between Freedman’s book Into the Bright Sunshine (2023) and Mann’s When Freedom Would Triumph (2006), where Humphrey is a pivotal figure.

Afternoon in the Archives: Kingfish U with Bob Mann

Experience the history and lore of Huey Long and LSU at the next Afternoon in the Archives on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, with a hands-on showcase of archival materials beginning at 3:30 p.m. and book talk at 6:00 p.m. in LSU’s Hill Memorial Library.

Bob Mann researched much of Kingfish U with the special collections and archives at Hill Memorial Library. LSU Special Collections will display selected primary sources from the author’s research as well as other historical records of Long’s influence on LSU before a presentation by the author.

Afternoon in the Archives: Kingfish U with Bob Mann is presented in partnership with LSU Special Collections and The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs and is free and open to the public.

Afternoon in the Archives is a series of hands-on showcases designed to explore various aspects of history and to help the LSU community learn more about the exciting resources at LSU Special Collections. Library staff will be available to talk about the collections and how they’re used in teaching and research. Follow us on Facebook @LSUSpecialCollections and Twitter @WhatintheHill.

Building Inclusive Newsrooms with Emily Ramshaw

Emily Ramshaw, co-founder and CEO of 19th News, the nation’s first independent nonprofit newsroom at the intersection of gender, politics and policy, joins us on Wednesday, March 22nd. Ramshaw will sit down with a student to discuss the origin story of The 19th and how she built a newsroom from the ground up. Ramshaw will comment on the evolution of women’s organizations to include the LGBTQ+ community and give her thoughts on the issues with newsroom business models. Don’t miss Ramshaw’s dialogue on preserving democracy in journalism, health equity, and women in the economy and politics.

Diversity in Publishing

Stories come in many different forms and from a wide array of storytellers. Publishing has historically centered the narratives of the majority and sidelined those in the minority. Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in partnership with Red Stick Reads as we host a panel of storytellers, publishing industry professionals and historians to discuss the evolving nature of the mainstream publishing experience. 

Trinity Green, Moderator, President, LSU NABJ; Manship School of Mass Communication Senior
Jina DuVernay, Program Manager, HBCU History & Culture Access Consortium at Clark Atlanta University
Farrah Rochon, Author
Jacinta Saffold, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of New Orleans
Krishan Trotman, Vice President, Publisher of Legacy Lit
 

BASF Silverberg Sustainability Initiative: From Inspiration to Action: Communicating Sustainability to Business, Industry and the Public

In its inaugural iteration, the BASF Silverberg Sustainability Initiative will engage and educate the LSU community on sustainability development goals outlined by the United Nations, as well as examine the media’s role and responsibility in invoking discourse on contentious subjects. The event will feature panelists from BASF, academics and practitioners in journalism, industry and business. In partnership with the LSU College of Engineering and E.J. Ourso College of Business, we will engage in cross-campus learning opportunities in the form of classroom visits, small-group student meetings and a panel of subject matter experts hosted during Global Sustainability Week to encourage a collaborative, collegial and evidence-based conversation.

Black Women in PR: Reflecting on Success

The journey to a successful career in public relations looks different for everyone. As a creative industry, there are various journeys to finding your path no matter your background and experience. Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public as we host three young Black professionals working in a variety of public relations roles.

• Kourtney Janeau, Moderator, MMC Candidate, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication

• Vanessa Abron, Founder, Agency Abron 

• Kristen Dufauchard, Marketing Lead of Talent and DE&I, Nielsen

• Rebecca Roussell,  Senior Vice President, DEI Communications, Current Global

Privacy in Digital Advertising

In the age of social media and advanced AI technology, digital advertising has taken on a new meaning. With the dawn of native ads that mimic the platforms where they appear and the use of data mining to curate ad content to users, how does this affect privacy concerns with consumers? Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as we host a panel of experts and professionals to explore the role of advertisers in preserving consumer privacy and what the future of digital advertising could look like.

• Hailey Darnielle, Moderator, LSU Manship School Digital Advertising Senior
• Ian Dallimore, Vice President of Digital Growth, Lamar
• Jessica Lee, Chair, Privacy, Security & Data Innovations, Loeb & Loeb, LLP
• Brian Rodriguez, President, Gatorworks

20 Years Later: Lessons From Reporting on September 11, 2001

As the world watched on, reporters and photographers captured the multitude of images and stories of the worst terrorist act committed on American soil. Twenty years later, where are those reporters and photographers and what lessons have they brought with them in the years since? Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as we bring together some of the women featured in Manship School professor, Dr. Judith Sylvester’s book, Women Journalists at Ground Zero to recount their experiences at Ground Zero and explore the way that journalism has changed since the events of 9/11. 

• Judith Sylvester, Ph.D., Associate Professor, LSU, Co-Author "Women Journalists at Ground Zero," Moderator
• Suzanne Huffman, Co-Author "Women Journalists at Ground Zero"
• Beth Fertig, XQ Institute Senior Editor for Education, Former Reporter, WNYC Public Reporter
• Emily Longnecker, Reporter, 13News, WTHR
• Gulnara Samoilova, Photographer, Author, Founder of Women Street Photographers

Common Ground: Local News & Political Coverage

As political polarization heightened tensions across the country, local news outlets have reached new levels of relevance and importance. In an effort to understand how coverage of national political conversations has impacted civility and common ground politics at the local level, Dr. Josh Darr embarked on a project to analyze what happens when newsrooms shift coverage of politics from the national lens to solely local issues. As national politics continue to divide, how can news organizations collaborate with researchers studying the polarizing effects that national coverage enhances and begin to analyze their content to better feature issues directly impacting their communities? Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as we host Dr. Darr and a panel of experts and practitioners for a roundtable discussion about the future of local news and political coverage. 

• Josh Darr, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication, Moderator
• Sarabeth Berman, CEO, American Journalism Project
• Dan Kennedy, Professor, School of Journalism, Northeastern University
• Jessica Mahone, Ph.D., Research Director, Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local Media, UNC
• Hussman School of Journalism and Media
• Steve Waldman, President and Co-Founder, Report for America

Supporting Survivors: The Role of Media and Technology

According to a recently released report by lead investigator Dr. Fanny Ramirez, rapidly changing pandemic conditions forced domestic and sexual violence support organizations that typically rely on in-person communications and community-based interventions to shift their outreach efforts and direct services to a mostly virtual format. In this roundtable discussion inspired by Dr. Ramirez’s research, policy experts, scholars and practitioners working to support victims and survivors of domestic violence will discuss the role of media and technology as a tool in pandemic and non-pandemic times. Panelists will explore media coverage, the creation of awareness campaigns, the legal protections and challenges, and technology as an ally or a foe. Join the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affair, the LSU Women’s Center and the Lighthouse Program for this Domestic Violence Awareness Month event.

• Fanny Ramirez, Ph.D., Presenter, Assistant Professor, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication
• Sarah Carpenter, Moderator, Ph.D. Candidate, LSU Manship School of Mass Communication
• Cory Alford, Staff Attorney, Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
• Wanjennia Atkins, Legal Assistant, Louisiana Department of Justice
• Marcia Harris Burden, Esq., Board President, The Butterfly Society
• Danielle Slakoff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Criminal Justice, California State University, Sacramento

Stories of Statesmanship: Nine to Fives and Limelight Lives

There is a beauty in the metamorphizing nature of democracy. Every two to four years, the public is given the chance to make long-lasting changes to the way we are governed. But who are these change bringers? And what happens after they move on from political endeavors? Join the Reilly Center as we explore the intricacies of choosing to run for office with a non-traditional background to deciding to step aside after a career in the political spotlight.

• Ana Block, Moderator, Public Relations Senior, Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs Intern
• Trey Greyson, Former Kentucky Secretary of State
• Julie Stokes, Former Louisiana State Representative

2021 Women in Sports Summit

2020 brought many wins for women in the sports industry. From the success of women’s leagues in returning to play after a global pandemic effectively shut down the entire sector for months to women being promoted to some of the highest leadership positions within the industry, there has been a shift in the sports industry that has the potential to change how we view women in what is typically considered a male-dominated space. Join the Reilly Center for the 2021 Women in Sports Summit as we explore the many roles that women play in sport.

Evening the Playing Field: A Look at Gender Equity in Women’s Sports

As the popularity of professional women’s sports has risen over the years, it has not happened without some difficulties. Today, women’s athletics receive far less media support, league funding, and experience large discrepancies between minimum player salaries and team salary cap limits as compared to men’s professional leagues. With just 4% of national coverage on women’s sports and only four professional leagues in the United States, there is a conspicuous lack of investment in women’s contributions to the sports industry. Despite this, female athletes have continued to thrive due to the tireless work of the journalists, commentators, coaches, athletes, and businesspeople committed to evening the playing field and allowing for greater representation in all arenas of sport. 

• Liz Dalton, Director of Operations and Player Affairs, National Women's Soccer League
• Cheri Kempf, Senior Director, Athletes Unlimited
• Tyler Tumminia, Commissioner, National Women's Hockey League

From the Sideline to the Front Office and Everywhere In Between: The Rising Roles of Women in Male-Dominated Sports

Although it was not always the case, with legendary figures like Doris Burke and Erin Andrews changing the face of sideline reporting, young women of today can grow up with aspirations of working in a field related to men’s professional sports. As we see more women step into professional coaching roles, high level front office leadership and even ownership across men’s sports, what are some of the challenges they face? We will bring together journalists, communications professionals and women working across the board in men’s sports to learn more about the shifting tide in the sports industry.  

• Celeste Gehring, Senior Remote Operations Manager, New England Sports Network
• Aryanna Prasad, Staff Writer Seattle Seahawks, Sports Illustrated
• Jourdan Williams, Assistant Media Counsel, NASCAR

2021 Louisiana  Redistricting Summit 

In January 2018, Fair Districts Louisiana and the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs kick-started a bi-partisan conversation about redistricting in Louisiana by hosting the first-of-its-kind Louisiana Redistricting Summit. Distinguished panels of legislators, academics, and activists participated in invigorating discussions on the past, present, and future of Louisiana remaking its political boundaries. Now that the 2020 census is complete and redistricting is becoming a focus of public discourse, it is time to reactivate the lines of inquiry begun during the 2018 Summit. To do this, the Reilly Center and FDL will again team up, this time for a webinar series to span all of 2021.

The March 31 spring session will first explore the many issues at play in the current redistricting round, including transparency, process, Louisiana history, and legal considerations. Then, a second panel will look at what Louisiana's new Congressional districts might look like.

Introduction

• Dr. Jenée Slocum, Director, LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs

Panel: Issues at Play in the 2020 Redistricting Cycle

• Barry Erwin, President & CEO, Council for a Better Louisiana
• Norby Chabert, Former Senator, District 20
• Ashley Shelton, Executive Director, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice

Tutorial: Dave's Redistricting App

• Stephen Kearny, Co-Founder, Fair Districts Louisiana

Panel: Louisiana's New Congressional Districts

• Jay Dardenne, Commissioner of Administration, Louisiana Division of Administration
• State Rep. Royce Duplessis, District 93, New Orleans
• State Rep. Barry Ivey, District 65, Central

Closing

• Melissa Flournoy, Social Entrepreneur, Louisiana Progress

Setting the Stage: Entertainment and the Social Good

Research shows that entertainment media play a major role in how we view and interact the world around us. So, given the generally homogenous nature of the leadership and decision makers in the industry, how do we shift the narrative to reflect the heterogeneous nature of our reality? Join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs and Associate Professor and Director of the Media Effects Lab Dr. Meghan Sanders as we explore how and why entertainment media play such a critical role in serving the social good, especially when it comes to sharing the experiences of minority, marginalized and underrepresented groups.

Panelists: 

• Jesse J. Holland, Assistant Professor, School of Media & Public Affairs, The George Washington University
• Mary Beth Oliver, Ph.D., Professor of Media Studies, Bellisario College of Communications, Penn State University
• Mia Ginaé Watkins, Communications Specialist, Playstation; Award-Winning Filmmaker

The Press and the President: An In-Depth Look at the Difficult Relationship Between President Trump and the Media 

When President Donald Trump rode down the escalator in Trump Tower on June 16, 2015 to announce his candidacy for the 2016 Presidential election, the media was thrust into what could be considered one of the most contentious relationships between a United States President and the media. In a collection of essays that will be released in Spring 2021, William B. Dickinson Distinguished Professor in Journalism and former LSU Manship School Dean Jerry Ceppos brought together 24 journalists to share their experiences covering this administration and what has contributed to such a difficult relationship between the press and the president. Join the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs for a virtual roundtable conversation featuring several essayists and moderated by Jerry Ceppos.

• Jerry Ceppor, moderator.

Centering The Citizen In Politics: Understanding Your Role In The Political Process 

Democracies were founded on the role of citizen led government. As politics have evolved, many citizens feel left behind by the political process. In her book with co-author Dr. John Gastil, Manship Alumna Dr. Katie Knobloch highlights the creation and implementation of the Citizens’ Initiative Review (CIR) as a permanent governing body in Oregon. “Hope for Democracy: How Citizens Can Bring Reason Back Into Politics,” features citizen activists who developed the CIR and key participants at the inaugural CIR. Currently working on creating more community based projects that center the citizen in politics, Dr. Knobloch will join the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs for a virtual event to discuss the book, her passion for centering the citizen in politics, and how young people view their role in the political process.

• Dr. Katie Knobloch, Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies and Associate Director of Colorado University's Center for Public Deliberation
• Kyle Stanley, Moderator

Election Watch Party

Amid the turmoil of a global pandemic, nationwide protests for racial justice and an economic crisis, the United States enters its 59th quadrennial election. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted a number of the economic and social disparities in America, and will most likely play a large role in voters’ decisions. From how polling can help us better understand people's decisions on election day to the behind the scenes on how political pundits decide to “make the call” on winners, the party will feature cameos by LSU faculty and local and national political experts. Join the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in partnership with LSU’s Office of Student Government and LSU Ogden Honors College as we host a virtual Election Night Watch Party via Zoom.

Economics & Politics of Race featuring Jason Riley of the WSJ 

Despite America's having a twice-elected Black president and a growing number of Black elected officials, there is a lag in Black economic advancement. Join LSU’s Eric Voegelin Institute and Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs as we host Wall Street Journal editorial board member and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, Jason Riley, and Southern University’s Department Political Science and History Chair, Dr. Albert Samuels, for a discussion on strategies to promote Black economic, social and political growth. The event will be co-moderated by Justin Franklin and Tyler Hunt. 

Justin is the LSU National Association of Black Journalists President and a senior in Manship School of Mass Communication. Tyler is a Political Science and African American Studies double major. 

• Jason Riley, Wall Street Journal editorial board member and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute
• Dr. Albert Samuels, Southern University's Department Poltiical Science and History Chair
• Justin Franklin, Co-Moderator
• Tyler Hunt, Co-Moderator

There's No Crying in Newsrooms: A Conversation With Author Kristin Gilger

The female experience in media has long been an uphill battle. In their book, There’s No Crying in Newsrooms, authors Kristin Grady Gilger and Julia Wallace tell the stories of women who broke through a multitude of barriers at media organizations around the country over the last four decades. As we enter a new era of young women in media that are much less willing to put up and shut up, the female pioneers in the book share the many lessons about what it takes to succeed in media or any other male-dominated organization. Join the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs on January 30, 2020 to hear from author Kristin Grady Gilger about the inspiration for the book and why its message is so relevant to young women today.

• Kristin Grady Gilger, Author of "There's No Crying in Newsrooms"

Irony & Outrage: An Evening of Political Humor with Danna Young

From Last Week Tonight to Sean Hannity, political opinion programming has flooded the media landscape as our political environment grows increasingly divisive. Political and media psychologist Dannagal Young seeks to flip the ideology that political satire only works on the left and opinion talk radio is reserved for the right. Her latest book “Irony and Outrage” unpacks satire’s liberal “bias” and juxtaposes it with outrage’s conservative “bias.” Join the LSU Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs on February 20, 2020 to hear Young’s take on why the two genres actually serve very similar purposes for their audiences while holding diametrically opposed political views.

• Dannagal G. Young, Political and media psychologist 

Hacking Democracy: Technology, The Internet & Politics

With a new presidential election cycle dawning, the voting public is questioning the security of the nation’s election systems. After the 2016 Presidential Election thrust the vulnerability of our voting technology to the forefront of conversation in the United States, there has been much discussion surrounding the security of future elections, as well as the use of social media as a tool to distribute divisive and false information. The Reilly Center’s annual John Breaux Symposium, entitled “Hacking Democracy: Technology, the Internet & Politics,” will explore how foreign interference aimed destabilizing political conversation, stoking racial tensions and spreading disinformation across social media platforms has led to ever-increasing friction among the voting population. Experts will discuss the integrity of our voting technology, and whether or not automated machines are actually secure. We will also investigate the depth of susceptibility in our nation’s election systems, as well as foreign interference in our democratic process. 

• Dr. Lance Porter, Moderator
• Claudia Saviaga, Computational Propaganda and LatinX Communities
• Dr. Dave Karpf, Digital activism and disinformation
• Dr. Jakob Ohme, Young voters and structural changes in social media environments
• Dr. Shannon McGregor, Platform perspectives on disinformation
• Dr. Itai Himelboim, Political brand communities and disinformation
• Dr. Jacob Groshek, Disinformation Effects
• Dr. André Brock, African American cybercultures and Disinformation
• Dr. Golden Richard III, Cybersecurity and disinformation
  
  

Designing a Better End: Transforming the Way We Look At Palliative and End-of-Life Care

The Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at LSU’s Manship School in partnership with LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans hosted a panel discussion on end-of-life care with healthcare professionals, policymakers and community leaders from across Louisiana on September 12 at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. “Designing a Better End: Transforming the Way We Look at Palliative and End-of-Life Care” aimed to identify areas of improvement in the industries of palliative and hospice care, as well as other end-of-life and long-term illness services in Louisiana. Palliative care professionals and health policy advocate Torrie Fields moderated the event.

2019 Gubernatorial Debate

The Reilly Center has partnered with Nexstar Media to host a 2019 Gubernatorial Debate on September 19, 2019. As a red state with the only Democratic incumbent running for reelection this cycle, all eyes will be focused on Louisiana to serve as a barometer for the 2020 presidential cycle. The debate will be held in the LSU Student Union Theater and broadcast live across the state. It is also expected to be picked up by national media outlets.

Shock & Awe: A Screening and Discussion with John Walcott

The Reilly Center hosted a screening of the 2017 film Shock and Awe. Dubbed the "only ones who got it right," the film depicts how the team of Washington Bureau journalists at Knight Ridder, Inc. investigated the reasons behind the Bush Administration's 2003 invasion of Iraq. Prior to the screening, there was a discussion with John Walcott, and Reveille Editor-in-Chief Caleb Greene. Walcott, portrayed by Rob Reiner in the film, was the Washington Bureau Chief for the McClatchy Co. and Knight Ridder, Inc. and was integral in the reporting of the Bush Administration's attempts to sell the Iraq War. Both the discussion and the film address t

he importance of journalism in a democracy and holding the government accountable for telling the truth.

Commemoration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Reilly Center sponsored the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures’ Commemoration of the Fall of the Berlin Wall. The event included a lecture and panel discussion on the cultural significance and aesthetic representations of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Dr. Stephen Brockmann, Professor of German at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, one of the leading experts in the field of post-wall German literature and film will give a lecture on this topic at LSU. In addition to this lecture, experts and historical eyewitnesses from around the LSU campus and larger Baton Rouge area shared their impressions of the historic event.

How Far is Too Far? Libel Law in Political Campaigns

On November 13, the Reilly Center hosted Dr. Eric P. Robinson, an Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Robinson’s book, Reckless Disregard: St. Amant v. Thompson and the Transformation of Libel Law examines the case that began with a political campaign ad in Louisiana and ended up changing American libel law forever. Dr. Robinson will moderate a panel of media law and political strategy authorities to discuss the effect of libel law on media operations and coverage of political campaigns as well as the implications of the St. Amant case locally and statewide.

Reflections on Election 2019

The Manship School’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs, in partnership with Louisiana Public Broadcasting, is hosting a post-election event recapping the 2019 Louisiana gubernatorial and legislative elections. The event, consisting of two panel discussions, will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The first panel, “Behind the Scenes: The 2019 Gubernatorial Campaign,” will gather political strategists from each campaign to discuss the planning and decisions meant to put their candidate on top and what the outcome might mean moving into the 2020 presidential election. The second panel, “The Future of the Louisiana Legislature,” will include former legislators and state politicos to examine the implications of the substantial turnover in the Louisiana State Legislature, and what it will mean for the future of the state.

Behind the Scenes: The 2019 Gubernatorial Campaign

• Natasha Williams, LPB news anchor and reporter
• Richard Carbo, campaign manager, John Bel for Louisiana
• Jared Arsement, media consultant, John Bel for Louisiana
• Bryan Reed, campaign manager, Eddie Rispone for Governor
• Luke Letlow, chief of staff, U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham
• Lionel Rainey, general consultant, Ralph Abraham for Governor

The Future of the Louisiana Legislature

• Melinda Deslatte, correspondent, The Associated Press
• Senator John Alario, Jr., Louisiana State Senate
• Jeremy Alford, publisher and editor of LaPolitics Weekly
• Representative Barry Ivey, Louisiana House of Representatives
• Liz Mangham, managing partner, Southern Strategy Group
• Representative Pat Smith, Louisiana House of Representatives

Classified Communications: Messaging for National Security & Foreign Affairs

The second annual Academy of Applied Politics Speaker Series hosted by the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs, Cornerstone Government Affairs and Taylor Porter featured Rear Admiral John Kirby, USN (ret) and Vice President of Government Operations Communications at the The Boeing Company Gordon Johndroe for a conversation on how mass communication professionals cover and disperse military, foreign affairs and national security information. The event investigated methods the military and national security organizations use to keep the public informed in peacetime, conflict and war.

Secretary of State Forum

Louisiana Secretary of State candidates convened at LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication to discuss their vision for office as part of LSU President King Alexander’s multiple-day Behind the Ballot Symposium. The forum explored factors that impact voter behavior and will include questions on election integrity, college-aged voters and voting rights.

• Jeremy Alford, publisher and editor of LaPolitics Weekly
• Jessica Rosgaard, supervising editor and producer for 89.9 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio (NPR affiliate)
• Stewart Lockett, LSU Student Body President
• Natalie Anderson, The Daily Reveille’s editor-in-chief

Moderated by Manship School senior journalism student, Laryssa Bonacquisti.

Re-envisioning Louisiana: The State We Want to Be In

This day long event held October 16th, 2018 centered around the pivotal question that many young Louisianans ask themselves as they contemplate college or beginning their careers: should I stay in Louisiana or should I go? Experts on economic development, criminal justice, education, disaster prevention, arts and more explored the adversities and opportunities for growth in Louisiana.

• Courtney Scott

From the President to the Press Briefing: Exploring the Role of the Presidential Press Secretary

As presidential administrations transition, so do the roles and responsibilities of presidential press secretaries. Former presidential press secretaries Ari Fleischer, press secretary for President George W. Bush, and Mike McCurry, who served under President Clinton, shared their insider perspectives about serving in this key communication role. In what ways does the role change with each administration, and how does it remain the same? How have relationships with the press evolved over time? Has the role of the presidential press secretary changed in response to the digitized media landscape? Fleischer and McCurry shared their thoughts on these and more during their visit to the Manship School.

• Ari Fleischer, press secretary of former President George W. Bush
• Mike McCurry, served under former President Clinton

Hear them Roar: Voicing the Truth on Sexual Harassment in Media & Politics

Our national news features near-daily breaking stories of alleged sexual harassers and their victims, leaving some people stunned and others surprised it took this long for a national conversation to begin. Like other industries that wield power and money, media and politics are at the forefront of the conversation. LSU’s Manship School convened media, government and law experts to discuss the role of these industries in building the sexual harassment structure and how they can serve as instruments of change. Senator Mary Landrieu, center, opened and moderated the panel. Public relations and journalism instructors Sadie Wilks and Steve Bien-Aime, Ph.D., joined legal expert Michelle Craig and journalists Amy Brittain (The Washington Post) and Gloria Riviera (ABC News) in a robust discussion of this salient public issue.

Moderator

• Mary Landrieu, Senator of Louisiana

Panelists

• Sadie Wilks and Steve Bien-Aime, Ph.D., public relations and journalism instructors 
• Michelle Craig, legal expert
• Amy Brittain, journalist for the Washington Post
• Gloria Riviera, works for ABC News 

2018 Sports Communication Summit

The debate is hot: How much money should local communities shell out to entice (and keep) professional sports teams? The Houston Astros World Series championship rallied the city just weeks after Houston suffered historic flooding. Sports teams also generate tangible economic benefits, but at what cost to the community? Public investments in sports bring with them enormous price tags that leave people divided. Should communities fund these teams, or is the effort futile?

Dr. Charles Steinberg, President of the Pawtucket Red Sox, emphasized the power of sports teams to impact the lives of the people who care about them in his keynote address. Matt Moscona, Manship School alum and host After Further Review on ESPN Radio: Baton Rouge, moderated a panel discussion by experts on the merits and limitations of public funding in sports.

Moderator

• Matt Moscona, After Further Review host and Manship School alum

Panelist

• Dr. Charles Steinberg, Pawtucket Red Sox President

2018 Louisiana Redistricting Summit

The 2018 Louisiana Redistricting Summit featured dialogue from top Louisiana leaders on redistricting in the state, an issue which shapes future elections and influences who represents Louisiana’s citizens locally, in Louisiana’s state legislature, and in Congress. Participants included nationally-renowned redistricting thought leaders, university students from around the state, and a bipartisan group of Louisiana legislators.

Public affairs expert Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni of Lafayette served as emcee for the event, and Louisiana Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne (pictured) served as keynote speaker.

Emcee

• Marie DesOrmeaux Centanni, public affairs expert

Keynote Speaker

• Jay Dardenne, Louisiana Commissioner of Administration

A Conversation with Dean Baquet

New Orleans native Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times, addressed the political and financial pressures on American journalism in a conversation sponsored by the LSU Ogden Honors College and Manship School of Mass Communication's Reilly Center. Three students questioned Baquet about a number of topics, including the president’s strained relations with the media, accusations of “fake news,” public trust in the media, the changing economic model of journalism and race in the newsroom. The three interviewers, Sarah Gamard, William Taylor Potter and Kayla Swanson, are students of LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication. Gamard is also an Ogden Honors College student.

Student Interviewers

• Sarah Gamard
• William Taylor Potter
• Kayla Swanson

Panelist

• Dean Baquet, The New York Times executive editor

She Persisted: Women at the Ballot Box & on the Campaign Trail

Despite seeing the first woman nominated to represent a major party in the 2016 presidential election, women remain underrepresented among elected officials in the United States. This panel, featuring exclusively female expert perspectives, explored why there are so few women in government and addressed specific challenges women face today in becoming elected officials. Panelists also discussed current efforts underway across the nation, on both sides of the aisle, to encourage more women to run for office and what that means for the future.

Panelist

• Dr. Tiffany Barnes
• Dr. Nichole Bauer
• Dr. Nadia Brown
• Dr. Mirya Holman
• Rep. Julie Stokes

Neither Liberal nor Conservative: Top Strategists and Scholars Debate Campaigning in Polarized America

The consensus in today’s political spectrum is that Americans are extremely polarized and can’t agree on anything. Surprisingly, however, truly ideological liberals and conservatives exist in a distinct minority only among those who are deeply engaged in political life. The panel was inspired by new research released in “Neither Liberal nor Conservative: Ideological Innocence in the American Public,” in which Donald Kinder and Nathan Kalmoe, assistant professor at the Manship School, argue that American public opinion is in a state of ideological innocence. If this is the case, how do Americans make election and policy decisions? What are the implications for campaign and issue strategists? The panel explored these questions.

Panelist

• Dr. Nathan Kalmoe, assistant professor of political communication for Manship School and the Political Science Department at LSU
• Terri Broussard Williams, Vcie President of Governmental Relations at American Heart Association Southwest
• Bill Skelly

Resistance in the Digital Age: Exercising or Abusing First Amendment Rights

Changes in technology and communication practices have raised questions about when efforts to convey political protest are protected, peaceful, and safe. Changes in the meaning and exercise of first amendment rights reflect these technological changes in the digital sphere. This panel focused on the implications of protest's movement to the online world.

This panel of activists, journalists, and scholars discussed the opportunities and challenges faced by reporters, law enforcement officials, and protesters because of changes in technology and the introduction of new communication platforms.

Moderator

• Dr. Jinx Coleman Broussard

Panelists

• Chris Slaughter, Assistant News Director, WAFB News
• DeRay McKesson, Civil Rights Activist
• Dr. Sean Illing, Writer
• Casey Rayborn Hicks, Public Information Office, EBR Sheriff's Office
• Bruce Hamilton, Attorney, Louisiana ACLU