Topics include media manipulation, gun violence coverage, workplace culture and emerging trends
This past year has brought to light many hurdles facing the digital journalism industry — some new, some familiar. Here’s your guide to the featured conversations at ONA18 where industry experts will deliver candid insights and suggest best practices on reporting on media manipulators, how to cover gun violence, advocating for diverse newsrooms and preparing for the technologies that will transform our work.
These sessions will take place in Grand Ballrooms 5+6 on the fourth floor of the JW Marriott. Be sure to add them to your schedule on the ONA18 mobile app.
Media Manipulation, Amplification and Responsibility
Thursday, Sept. 13, 9-10 a.m. | #ONA18Mediascape
Data & Society’s danah boyd will kick off the conference by discussing media manipulation and journalism’s role in amplifying bad actors; solutions for addressing fake news; and the media’s responsibility for handling high-profile suicides or other crisis events.
Strategies for Dealing With An Incoherent National Gun Conversation
Thursday, Sept. 13, 2-3 p.m. | #ONA18GunCoverage
Our national conversation on gun culture has seen many extremes this year. Speakers including The Trace’s Senior Editor Akoto Ofori-Atta, University of Oregon Journalism Instructor Lori Shontz, a special guest from March for Our Lives and moderator Versha Sharma, Managing Editor and Senior Correspondent of NowThis, will share their perspectives on what we get right in our coverage and what media needs to improve in order to save lives.
Global State of Reader Engagement
Thursday, Sept. 13, 3:30-4:30 p.m. | #ONA18Engagement
Chartbeat’s Data Science Chief, Josh Schwartz, will offer insights on engagement trends drawn from global, aggregate data on platforms, devices, traffic, acquisition, loyalty, referrals, alerts, apps and more.
Expert Investigative Journalism Advice with John Carreyrou
Friday, Sept. 14, 2-3 p.m. | #ONA18Investigation
Pulitzer Prize-winning Wall Street Journal reporter John Carreyrou conducted one of the biggest investigations of the year when he exposed fraud by the founder of Theranos, a startup promising rapid blood testing and early disease detection. He’ll discuss the investigative techniques that helped to bring a piece that spans science, health and big business to fruition.
A Seat at the Table
Friday, Sept. 14, 3:30-4:30 p.m. | #ONA18Diversity
Women and communities of color are underserved and underrepresented in digital news. They deserve a seat at the table.
Join speakers Elena Bergeron, Editor in Chief of SB Nation; Lara Setrakian, Executive Editor & CEO of News Deeply; Sharon Chan, VP Innovation Product and Development at the Seattle Times; Kristie Gonzales, President and General Manager of KVUE and moderator Noelle Swan, Science Editor at The Christian Science Monitor, for a frank discussion of the hurdles they have encountered, the networks that helped them thrive and the joys of lifting others along the way.
11th Annual Tech Trends For Journalists
Saturday, Sept. 15, 10-11 a.m. | #ONA18Trends
Future Today Institute’s Amy Webb will deliver her 11th annual mega presentation on what trends will impact journalism, what tools are on the horizon and how newsrooms can use them, while also avoiding potential disruption.
