Four Quad-Cities advocacy organizations announced a new series of community forums called Civic Conversations, focusing on newsworthy topics.
The first forum, “The State of Journalism Today,” will be 8-9 a.m. Friday, May 9, at Scott Community College Urban Campus, 101 W. 3rd St., Davenport. The event is free and open to the public.
Panelists for the first session include Ed Tibbetts, formerly of the Quad-City Times, who now writes a newsletter on Substack called Along the Mississippi; Tory Brecht, editor/writer with the University of Iowa and former editor of the Iowa City Press-Citizen; and Zachary Oren Smith, political correspondent for Iowa Starting Line. All are members of the Iowa Writers Collaborative.
Sue Dinsdale of the Iowa Citizen Action Network said the discussion will explore the state of journalism in today’s fragmented media environment, including the role of disinformation and new news/information platforms.
Allison Ambrose of Progressive Action for the Common Good said the series aims to bridge the gap in understanding between people with different viewpoints.
The morning meetings will include a continental breakfast. Donations are welcome. Online registration is available at Eventbrite.com. Quarterly meetings are planned, with the next one scheduled for Friday, Aug. 8, at the Scott Community College Urban Campus.
