'Politics and the Press' focus of first in series of community conversations

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is teaming up with The Arizona Republic to present “Politics and the Press,” the first in a series of community conversations designed to bring depth and context to topics of interest to Arizonans.

The Feb. 1 event will feature Susan Page, USA Today Washington Bureau chief; Leonard Downie Jr., ASU journalism professor and former Washington Post executive editor; Brahm Resnik, 12 News anchor; and Republic columnists E.J. Montini, Laurie Roberts and Robert Robb.

The daylong event will be held at the Cronkite School’s state-of-the-art journalism facility on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix campus. Participants also will have the opportunity to watch Resnik interview a public official at a taping of “Sunday Square Off” at Republic Media, home of The Arizona Republic, 12 News and azcentral.com, located near the school. The event will open with a continental breakfast and close with a reception at the Cronkite School.

In addition, participants will have the opportunity to view “The American President,” a special Associated Press photojournalism exhibit on display at the Cronkite School through Feb. 1. The exhibit features iconic and Pulitzer Prize-winning moments in the presidency, as captured by AP photographers over the past 150 years.

The “Community Conversations” series will provide community members with the opportunity to hear from leading journalists as well as public figures such as government officials. Sessions will be interactive and will include panels, interviews and question-and-answer sessions.

Proceeds will benefit the education and training of student and professional journalists.

The cost for the event is $150. To register, go to www.regonline.com/conversations. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged.

A second “Community Conversations” on sports and the media is planned for March.