In a presidential campaign season that legitimately can be described as bizarre, what’s the responsibility of the media in covering those elections?

What’s the best way to ensure that your publication is doing top-notch reporting on local races and referendums? How do you craft stories in this multimedia age that will capture citizens’ attention, encourage people to take part in the election process and understand the issues? Who are the right sources and why?

These and other questions will be part of an engaging media-focused seminar hosted by the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 16, 2016, on the campus of Northern Illinois University. The seminar will be held in the Campus Life Building, at the northeast corner of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue on the NIU campus in DeKalb, IL.

Who Should Attend

The seminar is presented as training for students and working journalists but is open to the interested members of the general public. Cost is $20 for NINA members and $25 for the public.

Here are the topics and panelists:

(1) How hard is it to write an engaging and fair election-based story? How is election coverage changing with the shifting political and media landscapes?

Panelists: Chuck Sweeny, senior political editor, Rockford Register Star; Jim Webb, former Illinois political editor, Chicago Tribune, now with public relations firm Serafin & Associates.

(2) What does the press do well when covering politics and where does it fall short?

Panelists: Jim Webb; Professor Matthew Streb, chair, Department of Political Science, Northern Illinois University; Bill Catching, former journalist with The Aurora Beacon-News and spokesperson for the Aurora mayor, current Aurora Township supervisor.

(3) How is press digital coverage elections evolving? What are effective strategies for using various social media platforms in election coverage? Where have we been, and where can we go next?

Panelists: Nicole Franz, digital editor, Northwest Herald; Roger Ruthhart, managing editor, The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus.

Why Come?

The seminar will provide insights for students who might be interested in journalism and politics, training for young journalists learning the ropes of election coverage and a media’s-eye view of election coverage that could be on interest to public officials or staff members who are active in the election process.

It’s also a great way to network with some of the top media professionals in Northern Illinois and to learn more about the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association.

About NINA

NINA is the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association, founded in 1962 to promote the newspapers of northern Illinois, develop programs to enhance the profession and promote good fellowship among its members. Based in DeKalb, IL, and in partnership with Northern Illinois University, NINA has expanded over the past half century to bring together multimedia publications on the cutting edge of modern information technology, upholding a mission to preserve and enhance the precepts of fairness, accuracy and quality of journalism and journalism education in Northern Illinois. Membership starts at just $25 for individuals. For more information, visit this page on the NINA website.

 Tales From the Trail

• When: 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, June 16, 2016
• Where: Campus Life Building, northeast corner of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue, DeKalb, IL.
• Topics: A fresh look at how the media covers elections.
• Cost: $25 for the public; $20 for NINA members (Make check payable to Northern Illinois Newspaper Association)
• For More Info or to register: Contact Shelley Hendricks at 815-753-4239 or shendricks@niu.edu
  

  The Campus Life Building is at the corner of Normal Road and Lucinda Avenue on the Northern Illinois University campus — good old No. 65 in this NIU map.

• Editor’s Note: Kane County Outreach Coordinator Rick Nagel is a member of the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Board of Directors.