Last Updated:6:17 PM EST 11/20/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Erica Henriksen Keynote speaker Frank LoMonte addresses issues of free speech and students' rights in the media at the high school journalism workshop held on campus.

Do you remember, years ago, being a high school student and working on the newspaper or television station just to get a taste of what the world of journalism felt like?

On November 6, nearly 130 high school students from across the region were invited to attend "Media Convergence 2010," a workshop dedicated to young journalists, the first of its kind at Fisher in nearly seven years.

Aimed at educating students on the realm of modern journalism and improving their own publication's the workshop, focused greatly on the role of convergence in the media, and how forums of communication are shifting day by day.

The event also delved into areas of free speech and students rights concerning what can and cannot be printed or aired in the media.

At the helm of this latter topic was guest speaker Frank LoMonte, the keynote speaker for the event. LoMonte, the executive director of the Student Press Law Center based out of Arlington, Virginia, opened the day, addressing those in attendance on matters such as censorship in student media and the various liberties students are allowed in their media processes.

The address coincided with the events of Four Freedoms' Week on campus, and finished a tour of lectures
LoMonte had given both across campus in the preceding days and around the country.

Following the address, students experienced a number of small workshops hosted by various members and students of the Communications/Journalism department, as well as professionals from the realm of journalism, including Bryan Sullivan, Sports reporter for the Messenger Post Newspaper.
"The amount of students who attended and the interest were outstanding," said Sullivan. "It was nice to be able to work with students who will hopefully be working in the business one day."

Sullivan was only one of a number of professional journalists to be in attendance at the high school journalism workshop. Notable figures included Matt Malloy, a reporter from from Rochester's News 8 Now, Sports Director Bill Pucko from YNN Rochester, and Democrat and Chronicle Copy Editor and Fisher alumnus Marie Lang.

When asked about the impact she hopes was given to the high school students, Lang stated that those in attendance will, " know what they should look for in their journalism careers."

The role these professional journalists pled in the event was critical according to Communications/Journalism chair Dr. Jack Rosenberry. "Part of our own stock and trade," said Rosenberry, "is to bring in real world professionals."
In the end, Media Convergence 2010 was a success in the eyes of many involved with the project, not only for the students, but also for the presenters.
"I hope those in attendance learned a little about what it is that all of us do," said Sullivan.
"The most important message is that the business is changing, and that can play a big role in the future."

pjc04539@sjfc.edu

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