Inaugural Newsapalooza festival to host CBS journalist Robert Costa as keynote speaker
An upcoming three-day festival is the latest effort by Point Park University’s Center for Media Innovation to spotlight the importance of celebrating and supporting journalism.
The inaugural Newsapalooza event is scheduled for Sept. 26 to 28 at Point Park and its Pittsburgh Playhouse.
The interactive program invites the public into the process of learning more about the work of journalists.
Keynote speaker Robert Costa, the chief campaign and election correspondent for CBS, will lead in-depth discussions beginning in the afternoon on Sept. 27 about matters past, present and future as the presidential election looms.
“It’s an honor to be a part of Newsapalooza, and I’m looking forward to engaging with voters in the Pittsburgh community about civics, democracy and journalism at this crucial time,” said Costa, a Bucks County native. “I’ve spent so much time over the past decade in Western Pennsylvania, listening and reporting on the evolution of the region’s politics and on the issues that matter there, from the economy to trade to education.”
Costa’s appearance will serve as the official launch for the next Center for Media Innovation project — the Next Generation Newsroom — a teaching program with a goal of filling gaps in local reporting and providing career pathways for budding journalists early in their careers through 29 publishing partners.
“The Next Generation Newsroom will further amplify the work we do to support local journalism in the Greater Pittsburgh region,” said Andrew Conte, assistant vice president and managing director of the Center. “The public and corporate support we already have received is a clear sign that this community understands the importance of good local journalism.”
The event will include hands-on, media-making activities, discussions and sessions led by local, regional and national experts.
Guest speaker Walter “Robby” Robinson, editor-at-large at The Boston Globe, is scheduled to speak after Costa.
The Center recently celebrated its first graduating class of its Citizen Reporting Academy, the latest addition to its Pittsburgh Media Partnership and Downtown Pittsburgh Media Hub. The event is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased at playhouse.pointpark.edu/shows-events.
“With Newsapalooza taking place against the backdrop of the presidential election and southwestern Pennsylvania’s role in the largest swing state, we’re thrilled to present someone like Robert who has a front-row seat to White House politics and appreciates the work of local journalists,” Conte said. “Healthy democracies depend on robust journalism, and Newsapalooza highlights the work that takes place in our communities and across the nation.”
For more information on Newsapalooza, including sponsorship opportunities, email Kim Palmiero at kim.palmiero@pointpark.edu or Lou Corsaro at lcorsaro@pointpark.edu.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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