You can go to the opening page link to read about the Friday Opening Reception at the University of Arizona Center for Creative Photography, the optional multimedia bootcamps Friday and Sunday, and the one-on-one advice sessions with pros all Saturday morning.

Take a gander below of what sessions and speakers are on tap in Tucson for Saturday, April 12. (Check back because we’ll be adding more speakers to some sessions, building completely new sessions, and posting the schedule with time slots just as soon as we can. We’re trying to accommodate many speakers and their requests for scheduling.)

All of Saturday's panels and sessions are held at the University Marriott Park Hotel.

Panels and Sessions

Saturday                                                                              9 - 10:15 a.m.

Keeping the Faith: Covering Religion’s Middle Ground
Canyon B Room

When faith is part of the story, some critics say, the media tend to cover the extremes instead of the middle. Being accurate and recognizing diverse communities means learning more about people’s faith. Two journalists will be joined by representatives of Mormon, Islamic and fundamentalist Christian communities, to help you think about how everyday faith plays a role in your news coverage and when religion is a part of the story and when it’s not.

Moderator: Linda Lumsden, assistant professor, University of Arizona journalism department

Panelists:

• Renee Schafer Horton, higher education reporter and The God Blog, Tucson Citizen
• Stephanie Innes, faith and values reporter, Arizona Daily Star
• David Hoefferle, public affairs director for Southern Arizona, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and former broadcast journalist
• Maha Nassar, adjunct lecturer, University of Arizona Department of Near Eastern Studies
• Jake Rasmussen, pastor, Epic Church

Getting the Goods: Public Records Access
Canyon C Room

Before 9/11 and more intensely since, reporters have been experiencing a difficult time getting some government agencies to release records. This panel focuses on concrete ways to pry those records loose. You’ll also hear from some reporters honored recently for their records stories.

Moderator: Kevin R. Kemper, assistant professor, University of Arizona journalism department

Panelists:           

• Josh Brodesky, reporter, Arizona Daily Star and recipient of 2008 Sunshine Award (for investigative stories on Child Protective Services)
• David Cuillier, assistant professor, University of Arizona Journalism Department and chairman of the national Freedom of Information committee for the Society of Professional Journalists
• Ryan Gabrielson, reporter East Valley Tribune, and winner of 2008 Sunshine Award (for investigative stories on Maricopa County Community College District)

Saturday                                                                       10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

News Value: What’s Next for the Journalism Industry?
Ventana Room

The news business is facing a confluence of challenges unlike any other time in history: readers and viewers moving online, increased interactivity with the public, declining ad revenues, layoffs and dramatic changes in technology. In this roundtable discussion, hear what leaders and thinkers have to say about what’s next for news.

Moderator: Jacqueline Sharkey, UA journalism department head and Donald Soldwedel journalism professor
Panelists:           

• Michael Chihak, longtime Gannett leader and editor and publisher of the Tucson Citizen
• Dan Gillmor, director of the Knight Center for Digital Media Entrepreneurship at ASU and author of “We The Media”
• Kevin Kemper, assistant professor, University of Arizona journalism department
• Ellen Soeteber, Edith Gaylord ethics professor at ASU and former editorial leader at the Chicago Tribune, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Noon-1:45 p.m. Mark of Excellence Lunch

What’s Next for Journalism Part 2, with Dave Fitzsimmons, emcee, Arizona Daily Star cartoonist, stand-up comedian, free press zealot
Madera Room

Mark of Excellence Awards honoring the best of student journalism, with Sarah Boggan, East Valley Tribune reporter, SPJ-Valley of the Sun member and Arizona Press Club member

Silent Auction Announcements, with SPJ-Southern Arizona members

Saturday                                                                               2 - 3:15 p.m.

When Local is Global: Covering the Environment
Canyon B Room

Green is in fashion, but more than that, covering the environment in your community can have worldwide implications. Learn how to get the stories, big and small, that make a difference to the planet — even if your station or paper doesn’t have an environment beat.

Moderator: Mark Shaffer, public information officer, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and former longtime reporter, Arizona Republic

Panelists:           

• Pat Brennan, environmental writer, Orange County Register
• Tony Davis, environmental writer, Arizona Daily Star
• Dick Kamp, Wick Communications environmental liaison and former director of Border Ecology Project
• Alan Weisman, freelance journalist/author of “The World Without Us” and associate professor, University of Arizona journalism and Latin American studies

Tales From the Edge: Covering the U.S.–Mexico Border
Canyon C Room

Citizens on both sides of the border depend on journalists to be the eyes and ears on one of our era’s biggest stories. On more than just about any other assignment, journalists on the border beat are challenged to tell complex and highly charged stories — from shootouts and smuggling to border vigilantes and death counts, from ideology to dollars and cents. They strive to be fair, comprehensive and accurate on stories that are often infused with political and emotional elements — sometimes putting their lives at risk.

Moderator: Jeannine Relly, assistant professor of practice, University of Arizona journalism department

Panelists:

• Ignacio “Nacho” Ibarra, metro team leader, Arizona Daily Star
• Brady McCombs, border reporter, Arizona Daily Star
• Michael Marisco, organized crime reporter and columnist, borderreporter.com
• Lorraine Rivera, reporter/weekend anchor KVOA-TV, Tucson, and former reporter/anchor for KSWT-TV, Yuma

Saturday                                                                           3:30 - 4:45 p.m.

Video Killed the Radio Star: Multimedia, the Sequel?
Canyon C Room

As journalists increasingly are using multimedia to tell stories, the line is blurring between broadcast and print. Professional and student journalists must have new skills and technical expertise in the workplace. Panelists discuss what we need to learn today and what we might need in 10 years.

Moderator: Terry Wimmer, professor of practice, University of Arizona journalism department

Panelists:           

• Mark Casey, vice president/news director from KPNX-TV, Phoenix
• Retha Hill, director of Arizona State University’s New Media Innovation Lab
• J. Jennings Moss, online editor for Conde Nast Publications
• Kim Newton, visual journalism professor, University of Arizona journalism department

The Student Media Tour and Schmooze: Arizona Daily Wildcat, KAMP and UATV

Meet by the stream in the Marriott lobby by 3:25 p.m. for two-block walk to student media offices.

Saturday                                                                                       9-noon

Do You Have What it Takes? Get Sage Advice From the Pros
Canyon A Room

Writing Critique and Tape Evaluations

Students can sign up for 20-minute sessions to have a one-on-one session with one of two news experts to evaluate their clips, tapes (on dvd), cover letters and/or résumés. Meet with Mark Casey, vice president for news at Phoenix’s KPNX-TV/Channel 12, an NBC affiliate, or Dennis Foley, internship, recruiting and training director and reader innovation editor at the Orange County Register. Sign-up sheets will be at the conference registration table; first come, first served.

Silent Auction

You can bid on everything from a nifty, spiral-bound AP Stylebook to a basketball signed by UA Coach Lute Olson and the 2007-08 men’s basketball players. Winning bids will be announced at the end of lunch.