CHALLENGES TO JOURNALISM: TRUTH, MEDIA AND DEMOCRACY
MARCH 6 / 6:30 PM
ZOOM PROGRAM
Zoom Weblink:
Meeting ID: 88078895725?pwd=dTd6cVhxRXJQb215VGFtQXVtRFlwZz09
Challenges to Journalism
TRUTH, MEDIA & DEMOCRACY
There has been a rapid rise in social disinformation that has distorted news media worldwide and led to a fractured public space.
Truth in media is critical to our democracy, and yet, in recent decades reporters and TV anchors have lost their careers for telling the truth and suffered threats to themselves and their families. Yes, today, even here in America there are groups of people who try to use hate and fear to manipulate the media. And we now have online programs where information has been deliberately falsified by foreign operators.
Help us to fight back in support of some of our local news institutions. Join us on zoom for a powerful evening of learning as we discuss this topic that is reshaping our world. We will have an outstanding team of experts from print journalism, broadcast journalism and social media who can share their personal perspectives to help us make sense of it all.
SPEAKERS:
Mara Bellaby
Executive Editor at Florida Today
Mara Bellaby is executive editor of FLORIDA TODAY. She’s been with FLORIDA TODAY since 2007 in a variety of roles, including assistant metro editor, space editor and news director before becoming the top editor in early 2019. FLORIDA TODAY is a digital-first newsroom that has been recognized for its public service journalism and digital storytelling. Mara leads a team of four editors and 18 reporters, photographers and multimedia specialists who reach 1.2 million people every month. Prior to FLORIDA TODAY, Mara worked as a journalist with Associated Press in London, Moscow and Kyiv, Ukraine. She covered uprisings, terrorist attacks, international politics and policy. She lives on Merritt Island with her family.
Kristy Boo
Social Media Youth Activist
Kristy is known locally as Kristy Boo. She is a local youth activist who is passionate about working to uplift the community. She collaborates with local and national organizations that align with her values and stands for inclusivity and Democracy for all.
Kristy has helped plan and participate in countless rallies, protests, marches, sign waves, events, local political campaigns, and much more. She enjoys speaking about causes that are close to her heart. Being a speaker has enabled her to bring visibility to these very important causes, while also engaging with the community in a way that informs, educates, and ultimately unites us all.
She says “what I do is not only my passion, but my calling. Even the smallest act of kindness sparks big changes in this world.”
Beth Kassab
Editor of the Winter Park Voice
Beth is a Central Florida native and long-time journalist who has devoted her career to local news. She arrived at the Voice in 2023 with a strong passion for telling the stories of the people and organizations who help define this region. Beth spent 20 years at the Orlando Sentinel where she covered politics, education, courts, business and local government and also wrote a popular column. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, NBC Nightly News, WMFE, WUCF and Fox35.
Beth graduated from the University of Florida (go Gators!), where she was editor-in-chief of the Independent Florida Alligator, and served as chairwoman of UF’s Department of Journalism Advisory Board from 2018-2020. In 2018, she was a finalist for the Scripps Howard First Amendment Award and has been recognized for her body of work by the Florida Society of News Editors. Beth volunteers as a peer mentor for patients and caregivers at the American Brain Tumor Association. She lives in Oviedo with her two children.
Terri Wright
Community Outreach Director for WFIT FM radio
Terri Wright is the Community Outreach Director for WFIT FM radio at Florida Tech. She facilitates interviews, public service announcements, partnerships with businesses and non-profits and station participation at special events.
Terri held the position of General Manager at WFIT for a quarter century, from 1998-2023. As the manager of Brevard County’s only locally owned and operated public radio station, she was responsible for directing all aspects of the station including: sales and underwriting, membership and development, operations, new media and broadcast engineering.
Terri’s responsibilities included managing WFIT’s $600,000+ annual budget raised through Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s grant, Florida Public Broadcasting/DOE’s grant and other corporate and foundation grants, as well as underwriting, membership donations, special events, and planned giving donations.
She’s an authorized agent for National Public Radio and station representative for the Federal Communications Commission, ensuring compliance with rules and regulations. She’s also a member and representative of Florida Public Broadcasting.
In 2010 Terri secured funding through a Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) grant for design and construction of a new 5,000 square foot facility. In October of 2012, the community enjoyed a Grand Opening Celebration of the new WFIT 89.5 FM Broadcast Center.
Terri began her career at WFIT as a volunteer in 1992. She was hired as Director of Membership in 1993, designing and implementing a membership database and increasing membership income by 57%.
As General Manager she was integral in an FCC approved power increase in 1999. Through her direction and funding acquisition, WFIT was the first radio station in the county to secure, and install a digital transmitter in 2006. WFIT received a Case Award of Excellence in 2009. As a recipient of an FCC construction permit and a CPB grant, WFIT will be installing a new antennae and transmitter in the coming months.
Before moving to Florida Terri managed and owned several businesses and taught SCUBA. Other interests include gardening, fitness, kayaking, and reading. She received her B.S. in Business with an emphasis in Marketing and Accounting in 1987 at Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. She lives in Malabar with her husband and countless pets. Her 2 beautiful daughters live in the Orlando area.