Panel Discussion on Media, Police, and the Public

The Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is holding a panel discussion involving several people who have made some controversial headlines recently.

The discussion is entitled “Media, Police & The Public: A conversation on effective reporting and storytelling today’s hardest news” on public perception of police power. The event will examine topics of law enforcement, race relations and community access.

Events in Baltimore, Ferguson, North Charleston and other cities, appear to have heightened mistrust between police and their communities. The question and answer forum panel will highlight all sides of the issue.

One of the panelists is Georgia State University’s Dr. Makungu Akinyela, who DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester says threatened the lives of her children. Akinyela is head of a group called the DeKalb County Coalition for Justice and Police Accountability, formed to oppose recent shootings involving police and black men.

Brookhaven Police Chief Gary Yandura and Dunwoody Police Chief Billy Grogan are also panelists, along with:

Deane Bonner, president of the Cobb County NAACP
Holly Manheimer, executive director, Georgia First Amendment Foundation
Jay Suber, award-winning former SVP for CNN
George Chidi, journalist and Pine Lake City Council member
Lori D. Brickman, mental health advocate
Mary Silver, moderator and columnist at Epoch Times

The event will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 am to 2 pm, at Manuel’s Tavern, 602 North Highland Avenue in Atlanta. Click here for more information and ticket prices.