Society of Professional Journalists host Marijuana and Media panel discussion

By Julie Pawlikowski, second year graduate student in the Media Management program

What: Marijuana and Media: Covering Cannabis Culture and Medical Marijuana
Where: College Hall 104
When: Monday, March 26
Time: 7 to 9 pm

The Society of Professional Journalists are hosting a panel discussion about how media covers marijuana and cannabis culture. Medical and recreational marijuana has become a popular and often polar topic of discussion in the current political climate. Media plays an important role in shaping the public’s perception of marijuana and other drugs and thus media professionals should adhere to fair and ethical practices when covering these topics.

SPJ presents “Marijuana and Media” as a means to spark discussions about the media’s role in marijuana coverage as our state moves forward with medical pot dispensaries.

Panelists include Noelle Phillips,a reporter for The Denver Post who covers law enforcement and public safety and has a unique perspective from the one of the country’s first states to legalize recreational pot; Patrick K. Nightingale, a practicing criminal defense attorney in both state and federal court in Southwestern Pennsylvania and who has practiced with a particular focus on protecting the rights of cannabis consumers; and Jennifer Salamon, the Special Projects and Communications Director at the Autism Connection of Pennsylvania and whose son is autistic and benefits from medical marijuana. She was interviewed for Pittsburgh Magazine’s article on medical marijuana.

Katie Blackley of WESA 90.5 will moderate the event. There will be time for audience questions following the discussion. Free brownies will also be served.