<\/p>\n

Deirdra Harris Glover
\n<\/strong>Staff Writer<\/em><\/p>\n

The Mississippi eCenter became a media hub last week as media professionals gathered to impart and share knowledge.<\/p>\n

The JSU School of Journalism and Media Studies (SJMS) presented an open conference \u201cMultimedia Platforms in the Digital Age\u201d on April 7-8. The conference was a day and a half of panel discussions, culminating in a recognition banquet for students of distinction.<\/p>\n

News directors, general managers, journalists and sports media professionals, along with multimedia, public relations and marketing specialists, gave advice and fielded questions from Jackson State University students, area high school and college students, and other working professionals.<\/p>\n

Five keynote speakers addressed the assembled audience including Federal Communications Commissioner Mignon L. Clyburn gave the plenary address, \u201cInformation and Technology: The Key to Global Communication.\u201d Clyburn stressed the importance of worldwide communications as a major component of burgeoning democracy.<\/p>\n

\u201cA free and open Internet is an important tool in organizing for populations that might otherwise go unheard,\u201d said Clyburn.<\/p>\n

JSU professor, award winning editorial cartoonist and author Marshall Ramsey entertained the conference luncheon attendees with cartoons and anecdotes relating to his journey in the field and social media, including conference takeaway, \u201cIf content is king, context is God.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kendra Brown, a junior mass communication major with a concentration in integrated marketing communications from Meridian, Miss., expressed how much she enjoyed Ramsey\u2019s cartooning and his sense of humor.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite panel was \u201cSocial Media: Getting Your Message Across\u201d because Marshall Ramsey has an amazing story of following your dreams and not giving up on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jerry Echols, field operations manager for FOX News, Washington, D.C., talked about the emerging technology for on-location production, including the challenges faced in countries like China, where the press has less freedom.<\/p>\n

While ESPN\u2019s Mike Wallace might be known for sports, he has used his background to shed light on the Haiti earthquake, Katrina aftermath in Mississippi, and the complexities of race in America. \u201cI\u2019m a news & community reporter, I cover what needs to be covered. If sports bleeds in, so be it.\u201d<\/p>\n

SJMS students moderated several discussion panels in major fields of study. During the news director\u2019s panel, an intense debate broke out about local outlets\u2019 ethics in posting \u201cclick-bait,\u201d sensational or ill-timed content, with the most pressing example being WLBT\u2019s recent viral video #pieceofburger.<\/p>\n

The general managers panel tackled how mainstream media is rapidly evolving to meet the needs of an increasingly social populace. WAPT\u2019s Ben Hart told the audience, \u201cToday\u2019s news competition is citizen journalists: things are already (on social outlets) before the media is ready to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The sports media panel proved that investigative reporters aren\u2019t the only media professionals who are threatened for their work. JSUTV\u2019s Rob Jay urged aspiring sportscasters to \u201cstand by your beliefs, even when your fan base stands against you.<\/p>\n

Public relations, marketing and advertising professionals urged students to cross-train in other aspects of media to better represent clients. Rick Looser of the Cirlot Agency reminded the crowd \u201cevery aspect of your personality and appearance paint a picture of your professionalism. Be consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

A strong panel of weekly newspaper editors spoke to aspiring journalists about the essence of story-telling as a public service to demographics largely marginalized by mainstream media outlets. Jackson Advocate Alice Tisdale says that her staff is \u201cbuilding bridges, not digging ditches,\u201d in the black community alongside the Mississippi Link staff and their editor, Shanderia Posey.<\/p>\n

Donna Ladd, editor of the Jackson Free Press offered simple advice: \u201cIf you want to write impactful stories, you have to spend the time to report, then tell the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

The final keynote speaker preceded the recognition banquet: DeMarco Morgan, national correspondent with CBS News, and JSU alumnus. Morgan painted an emotional journey through doubt, faith, and hard work. William Kelly III, editor of the Blue and White Flash was excited to see his mentor address the department.<\/p>\n

While Kelly won numerous awards at the banquet, including the Tim Brown Memorial Scholarship, he saw a larger<\/p>\n

victory.<\/p>\n

\u201cI believe the highlight of the conference was how the students of all classifications were acknowledged and recognized by our department as a whole. It really makes you feel respected and appreciated considering so many people doubt the performance of mass communication majors,\u201d said Kelly.<\/p>\n

The conference was Livecast by JSUTV. For more information about the SJMS conference, follow the social media hashtag #SJMSConference2016.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Photos by Dr. Luis Almeida and\u00a0William H. Kelly III<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

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