The Future of News: In Their Words

A Panel of Teens at The City Club

CLEVELAND: High school and college-aged panelists discuss how and why they use and don’t use traditional and newer media at noon on Thursday, March 15, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland. Richard D. Hendrickson, PhD, assistant professor of communications at John Carroll University, will serve as moderator for this final in a series of four programs.

In Their Words: Teens as Media Consumers and Predictors presents three teenagers who will offer their opinions and predictions on where mainstream TV, print, web, and radio must go next to keep and attract younger news consumers.

Panelists are as follows:

·         Reid FitzGerald, Lakewood High School student

·         Katie Mahoney, John Carroll University student and managing editor of The “Carroll News”

·         Michelle McCafferty, Cleveland State University student and reporter for The “Cleveland Stater”

The Future of News Media is a four-part series, in partnership with the Society of Professional Journalists, Cleveland Chapter, that explores the changing state of mainstream media’s approach to delivering the news, how the public and journalists are responding to the news evolution, implications of media ownership, regulation and technologies for an informed democracy, and what media critics like and dislike about local news. Series participants will also attempt to predict the future of news and how consumers will want and use it.

Tickets for this City Club Special Program are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance of the event. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.

Human Rights vs. National Sovereignty

High school students compete for the debate championship

Carolyn Baumgarten of Gilmour Academy and Kenan Diab of Hawken School debate the topic “The United Nations' obligation to protect global human rights ought to be valued above its obligation to respect national sovereignty” at noon on Friday, March 16, 2007, at The City Club of Cleveland. This debate will determine the winner of the Annual High School Debate Championship.

Each year high school debaters from across the region vie for the opportunity to participate in this special event. The debaters square off in a Lincoln/Douglas-style format. Affirmative construction, cross examination, negative construction and rebuttal will all be strictly timed, and the participants are judged on logical, creative, and persuasive arguments.

Immediately following the debate, the winner and runner up will be presented with trophies recognizing their achievement in debate.

“The City Club is proud to host this annual event celebrating the talent of our local high school students,” says James Foster, executive director of The City Club. “The debates are always lively and the capabilities of the protagonists most impressive. We’re excited to give the students an opportunity to participate in the ultimate expression of free speech: The Annual High School City Club Debate.”

The Annual High School Debate Championship is sponsored by Baker Hostetler, in memory of Patrick Jordan.

Tickets for this City Club Friday Forum are $18 for members and $30 for non-members. Lunch is included. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. They can be purchased by calling The City Club at 216.621.0082 or visiting the website at www.cityclub.org.