9 AM to 6 PM Friday, Oct. 23Pocahontas Greadington Learning & Creativity CenterTulsa Central Library, 400 Civic Center, Tulsa
FIRST AMENDMENT CONGRESS: GUARDIANS OF THE CONSTITUTION 9 AM – 1 PM
9:00-9:10 AM – Opening & Welcome (light breakfast served)
Setting the stage: 250 years of press freedom and what’s at stake for Oklahoma today.
9:15-10:00 AM – “Modern Iran’s Quest for Freedom/How Is the U.S. Shaping That Future?”
Yeganeh “June” Torbati, Iran correspondent from the New York Times via Zoom from Turkey.
10:05-11:00 AM – “Are We Truly Free 250 Years Later? The Ramifications of AI and Polarization on Our First Amendment Freedoms”
Panel moderated by Griffin Media’s Scott Mitchell: Leslie Briggs, the Oklahoma attorney for Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; and Ellen Knickmeyer, award-winning foreign policy and national security reporter for The Associated Press.
11:30 AM-1:00 PM – Keynote Luncheon
Washington Post Investigations Editor David Fallis, a Tulsa native, will deliver the keynote speech after an introduction by former co-worker and fellow Pulitzer winner, Ziva Branstetter, CEO of the Tulsa Flyer.
Afternoon: Training sessions, FOI, OMC, SPJ AWARDS 1 PM – 6 PM
1:15-2:10 PM – First Concurrent Journalism Training Sessions
Session A: “So You Want To Be A Reporter” – Boot camp training for rookie and early-year storytellers (consultant Jason Collington, former Tulsa World editor) others TBA.
Session B: “New Engagement in Our Digital Future” – TBA.
2:30-3:30 PM – Second Concurrent Journalism Sessions
Session C: “Tips for Developing Sources for Government Coverage” – Training with seasoned journalists (including KOSU’s Lionel Ramos and Janelle Stecklein, editor of Oklahoma Voice; others TBA).
Session D: Working Group: “Newsrooms Implementing Ethical Policies”
4:00-6:00 PM – Joint Awards Ceremony (heavy hors d’oeuvres and alcohol served)
A festive celebration honoring Oklahoma journalism excellence with FOI Oklahoma, SPJ Oklahoma and Oklahoma Media Center presenting awards jointly. Coordinated by Heide Brandes-SPJ, Kurt Gwartney-FOI Okla. and Rob Collins-OMC.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Support the Summit by donating to OMC now, or contact Executive Director Rob Collins for more information at rob@oklahomamediacenter.com.