The role the media should and does play in a national crisis, how media coverage shapes views of history and other standpoints on the situation following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks will be discussed in an open panel today by three National Public Radio news personalities.
The participants, “All Things Considered” co-host Robert Siegel, NPR special correspondent Susan Stamberg and “All Things Considered” book commentator Alan Cheuse will appear in the second event this semester in a series put on by the College of Arts and Letters called “Fora: Lectures in the Arts & Humanities” at 7:30 p.m. in Wharton Center’s Great Hall.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the award-winning daily news program, “All Things Considered.”
Wendy Wilkins, dean of the College of Arts and Letters, invited the three to campus and hopes to fill the Great Hall.
“I’d been listening to them for years,” she said. “And when I found out they were available to bring to campus, I thought they would make great visitors.”
“It’s an opportunity to present thoughtful speakers to speak to students, faculty and the community. We have asked the speakers to address the role of the media especially as it affects the arts and literature communities.”
Scott Pohl, news producer for WKAR (870-AM) and local host of WKAR’s “Morning Edition” on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, will be moderating the event.
“I heard about them coming to campus a while ago and I was excited to have the chance to moderate the talk,” he said. “It’s a great time to have people of that profession here.”
Pohl said he is interested to get a chance to present national personalities to the community.
Matt Ferguson, WKAR station news producer and Monday host of “Morning Edition,” will also host Stamberg and Cheuse on the “NewsTalk 870 Listener Call-In” program at 12:08 p.m. today. He grew up listening to Siegel, Stamberg and Cheuse.
“It kind of makes me a little jittery at the prospect of having them in the studio,” he said, “These are people who have been in the business for several decades and have covered an incredible array of issues. It will be interesting, especially in light of the recent events, to hear their take on the situation.”
Tickets for students, faculty and staff are free and can be obtained from the Wharton Center box office. Call 1-800-WHARTON for more information.
