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'Diederich Ideas' Examines Post-9/11

12/8/2011

10 Comments

 
Picture
On the "Diederich Ideas" set with (from left) Jordan Abudayyeh, James Foley and Meg Jones as the audience looks on.
I had the pleasure yesterday of joining wartime journalists James Foley and Meg Jones as panelists on "Diederich Ideas: Reporting From the Front Line," the latest public-affairs program produced by broadcast journalism students at the Diederich College of Communication. Foley, a GlobalPost correspondent and fellow Marquette University graduate, was also on campus to speak about his being held captive for six weeks in Libya by Moammar Gadhafi loyalists earlier this year. Jones covers veterans and the military for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

A studio audience of 20 students listened intently behind us in the jPad lounge in Johnston Hall as Jordan Abudayyeh, a senior in the college, expertly moderated the hourlong program. It focused on complex issues facing journalists since the terrorists attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, including: Reporting on stories from the Middle East. Balancing national security concerns against the public’s right to know. Which stories are told and which ones are ignored? The challenges faced by embedded journalists. Has the public become desensitized to their reports?

The production also featured video "cut-ins" from broadcast journalists with considerable international experience: Catherine Herridge of Fox News, Lara Logan of CBS News, Martha Raddatz of ABC News and Mara Schiavocampo of NBC News. Their personal stories served as case studies for us to discuss on the program.

I very much enjoyed hearing Foley and Jones talk about their experiences overseas and appreciate their courage and passion for reporting from the front lines. Never wanting to be a foreign correspondent, I had my fill of conflict journalism as a Newsday staff writer reporting in Lower Manhattan that fateful day on 9/11. I want no parts of being near constant gunfire in another country, much less being held captive for 45 days like Foley.

Meanwhile, I also enjoyed witnessing so many Marquette students practicing their journalism during the taping. They did all the pre-production research, interviews, set design and graphics, and all the camera work, audio and editing during the program, said Julie Rosene, the college's event coordinator and a key adviser to their efforts. Post-production should be finished soon, after which it will be available for viewing on the college's website and, hopefully, on a local cable station in Milwaukee. There are plans for a new "Diederich Ideas" each semester.

I look forward to each and every one – and hope to have the chance to participate again.
10 Comments
Olivia Morrissey
1/17/2012 11:12:08 pm

James Foley's story of captivity is remarkable, and his dedication to his work is amazing. I think students really enjoyed the opportunity to listen to him and ask questions.

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Carlie Campbell
1/18/2012 02:04:36 am

Foley's talk at Marquette was one of the most eye-opening presentations I've had the privilege to attend as a student here. I learned much about journalism and the challenges of covering conflict.

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Brynne Ramella
1/18/2012 08:50:03 am

I was unable to attend this event, but I felt like I was there from last semester's Journalism 1100 and 1550. It sounded like a great presentation!

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Alex Rydin
1/18/2012 08:59:07 am

I was at his presentation later that day. The video he showed was chilling. Foley demonstrates what I think is sort of an "old school" journalism. He truly dedicates himself to his work, for the sake of the journalistic cause instead of for his own personal gain.

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Shoshauna Schmidt
1/18/2012 11:03:05 am

I wish I could have attended his lecture! The links provided in this post were incredibly useful for me wanting to know more about these topics.

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Tess Quinlan
1/18/2012 11:18:39 am

I was unable to attend the event, but I wish I had gone! "Diederich Ideas" is a great addition to the College of Communication and to Marquette as a whole.

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Dana Christen
1/18/2012 12:10:18 pm

James Foley was one of the most interesting speakers I have encountered at Marquette and judging by the amount of people there, I'm not alone in thinking that. The Diederich College of Communication definitely knows how to draw a crowd!

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Rebecca Hixson
1/18/2012 01:34:56 pm

James Foley was the best speaker I have seen at Marquette so far. And best dressed. And best looking. Too far? What up Marquette alumni?!

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Joe Kvartunas
1/18/2012 03:35:20 pm

I was really disappointed that I wasn't able to make it to this event, prior commitments can really be a bummer sometimes. From what I understand from your blog post and from friends of mine who were there, it was really interesting.

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Melanie Lawder
1/19/2012 05:12:11 am

I wasn't able to make it to the event in the jPad, but I was able to make it to Foley's later presentation in the Alumni Memorial Union. The story he told was very somber and chilling. He definitely left the impression that he still held some regrets from his capture in Libya. It's very sobering to see the effect it still has on him. However, I respect him even more for choosing to return to Libya to continue reporting - even after such a tragic misfortune.

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