Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation will celebrate Newsapalooza at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on September 27th! The “Celebration of Local Journalism” will feature keynote speaker, Robert Costa, CBS News chief presidential reporter.
There’s a number of interesting panels and speakers throughout the day. If you love journalism, you can’t miss this! Here’s what to expect!
Chief Presidential Reporter for CBS News, Robert Costa, will deliver the keynote at 9:30am. Robby Robinson, of the Boston Globe (“Spotlight”), is the afternoon keynote at 3pm. This is going to be a fascinating and informative event.
“Newsapalooza is a first-of-its-kind event for Pittsburgh: a celebration of story, journalism, and facts created by the Center for Media Innovation at Point Park University.”
Pittsburgh Playhouse
Newsapalooza 2024 Schedule
Here’s a look at the schedule for the event, as listed on the Newsapalooza website.
Presidential Politics in the Rust Belt & Appalachia – 10:20am
“How do we talk to each other and why you should. Salena Zito, national political reporter; Annafi Wahed, founder of The Flip Side; Marita Garrett, a former mayor and founder of Civically. Moderator: Jon Delano, KDKA political editor.”
Is Pittsburgh still a City of Champions? – 11:20am
“Tim Benz, staff writer, Trib Total Media; Jennifer Bullano Ridgely, chief communications officer, Pittsburgh Penguins, Josh Taylor, KDKA, and Michael DeCourcy, senior writer, the Sporting News. Moderator: Bernie Ankney, dean of the school of communication, PPU.”
Pennsylvania colleges can help water local news deserts – 1:10pm
“Richard Watts, director of the University of Vermont’s Center for Community News, and others.”
New Report: Where Pittsburgh gets its news – 1:10pm
“University of Pittsburgh professors Lara Putnam and Elise Silva unveil findings of a groundbreaking study.”
Diverse communities need stronger newsroom support – 1:10pm
“Letrell Crittenden, director of inclusion and audience growth at the American Press Institute, discusses his work to make Pittsburgh newsrooms and coverage more representative, with WESA’s Cindi Lash + editor Glynis Board and PublicSource executive editor Halle Stockton.”
Press Forward Pittsburgh: Philanthropy support for local news – 2:10pm
“Christina Shih, of the national Press Forward initiative, comes to Pittsburgh for an important announcement about the chapter for southwestern Pennsylvania, with Kathy Buechel, executive director; The Benter Foundation; Matt Barron, program director, The Heinz Endowments; Douglas Root, VP of communications & external affairs, The Pittsburgh Foundation; Michelle McMurray, vice president of program and community engagement, The PIttsburgh Foundation, and Dr. Andrew Conte, director, CMI.”
Pittsburgh Pitch – 5pm
“The day closes with a party to celebrate local journalism at The Pittsburgh Pitch. Local journalists participate in a “Shark Tank” for Pittsburgh news where the audience awards prize money to the winners. Pittsburgh celebrities Rick Sebak, Sally Wiggin, Miracle Jones and the YaJagoffs bring the fun.”
The 5pm cocktail hour “celebrates local journalism with The Pittsburgh Pitch – an interactive, audience-guided party to choose tomorrow’s news.” Audience members vote. The best pitch gets $1,000.
“Television personalities from KDKA, a founding sponsor, will be on hand throughout the event.”
Get your tickets to Newsapalooza now!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.
