This panel features scholars and industry professionals evaluating the role of the media as moderators of public discourse regarding citizens and their government in a democracy. There is an assumption with 'citizen journalism' and blogs that digital media has given everyone an equal voice in the American democracy. Yet, at the same time, mainstream media seems to increasingly serve more as public relations voices of their preferred political party than watchdogs of government. This panel argues for a return to an ideal of journalists as moderators, not cheerleaders for particular ideologies, in public debate regarding government and governance.
Moderator: Tony DeMars, Texas A&M University at Commerce
Panelist: Maria A. Williams-Hawkins, Ball State University
Gary Larson, University of Nevada-Las Vegas
Ron Comings, KLAS-TV Las Vegas
Dan Landson, Producer, KLAS-TV (Las Vegas)
