Reserve Now to Meet the Best in National & Local News On Dec. 5

Get tickets now to attend the Fair Media Council event, The News Conference: Real & Powerful," on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Garden City Hotel. Expect to meet the best in national and local news, attend panel discussions on the hottest topics of the year, and enjoy networking with journalists, business and community leaders in the welcoming atmosphere.

"Everyone is invited to attend, and organizations seeking to raise their profiles are encouraged to become event sponsors and exhibitors," said Jaci Clement, CEO and Executive Director of the Fair Media Council, a 501c3 nonprofit organization advocating for quality news and working to create a media savvy society in a media-driven world.

The day begins with America's Got Talent's Golden Buzzer Winner Christian Guardino singing the National Anthem, followed by a breakfast panel discussion on the state of news. Panel speakers include Neal Shapiro, President & CEO of WNET New York Public Television, and Harry Siegel, Senior Editor of The Daily Beast and Columnist, New York Daily News. More panelists will be announced soon.

Participants then get to choose three panel discussions out of 12 offered throughout the day, with a luncheon keynote presentation by Cartoonist of the Year and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Walt Handelsman in the Grand Ballroom.

CLICK THIS: Tickets are available for all day, breakfast only and lunch only. There's also a special package for small nonprofit organizations, which enables them to attend lunch, enjoy networking and attend a special two-hour intensive media relations workshop.

Here is a look at the program, featuring exclusive conversations between the best in news and community leaders:

A. TRUMP EFFECT ON THE NEWS

Sure, media outlets have enjoyed a Trump Bump in circulation and interest, but nonstop Tweetstorms, canceled news conferences and attacks on the news have radically changed the dynamic between POTUS and the press. Where’s democracy headed?

Moderator: Carolyn Schurr Levin, Media Law Attorney & Assistant Professor, Long Island University
Panelists:

• Celeste Katz, Senior Political Writer, Newsweek
• Patrick Halpin, Managing Director, Mercury & former Suffolk County Executive
• Alex Martin, Writing Coach & former Deputy Managing Editor/Page One Editor, Wall Street Journal
• Harry Siegel, Senior Editor, The Daily Beast & Columnist, New York Daily News

B. Cyber Attack on Democracy

Real fake news from Russia, with love. The unfolding saga highlights our country’s vulnerability to cyber attacks and the victimization of an unsuspecting public. Building a wall won’t solve this problem. Now what?

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:

• Michael Balboni, President & Managing Director, RedLand Strategies, Inc. & first Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee
• NJ Burkett, Correspondent, WABC-TV
• Sharon Crowley, Reporter and Anchor, WNYW/FOX5
• Tino Posillico, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Criminal Justice/Security Systems & Law Enforcement Technology, Farmingdale State College & Executive Officer, Protect New York

C. THE FIGHT FOR LOCAL NEWS

Local news doesn’t simply deliver news and information. It defines communities and determines what the topic of conversation will be in offices, schools and town hall meetings — even what you’ll be discussing at your dinner table. But economic pressures are crippling resources, and bringing you the news you need to know has never been harder. Get a look at the challenges facing newsrooms today.

Moderator: James N. Kinney, Partner, Mazars USA & Chair, Board of Directors, Fair Media Council
Panelists:

• Carol D’Auria, Anchor & News Reporter, 1010WINS
• Bruce Lambert, The New York Times (Retired)
• Diane Masciale, Vice President & General Manager, WLIW21/WNET
• Tim Scheld, News & Programming Director, WCBS Newsradio 880
• David Winzelberg, Real Estate & Development Reporter, Long Island Business News

D. WEATHERING THE STORMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Five years after Superstorm Sandy. Extreme weather events are becoming increasingly common, yet the topic of climate change remains as controversial as ever: 13 federal agencies recently released a report citing humans as the major cause of climate change, yet the White House isn’t convinced. Experts and eyewitnesses weigh in.

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:

• Craig Allen, Chief Meteorologist, WCBS Newsradio 880
• Jerry Barmash, Street Reporter, 77 WABC Radio
• Michael F. Canders, Ph.D., ATP, Director, Aviation Center at Farmingdale State College & Former Commander, 106th Rescue Wing, Military & Special Operations Rescue Pilot
• Gary Conte, Meteorologist & Warning Coordinator Meteorologist, National Weather Service
• Sandra J. Garren, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Environment, and Sustainability, Hofstra University

NETWORKING BREAK

E. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROMISE OF SUBURBIA?

Seventy years ago, Long Island birthed the ‘burbs with a promise of sleepy neighborhoods to raise happy families. Today, gang violence, an opioid epidemic, and racism, aided by a resurgence of the KKK, are chronicled daily in our news. People are starving here. WTH happened?

Moderator: Salvatore Ferro, President & CEO, Alure Home Improvements
Panelists:

• Drew Scott, Senior Correspondent & News Anchor, News12 Long Island (Retired)
• Rep. Thomas R. Suozzi, New York 3rd District
• Paule T. Pachter, A.C.S.W., L.M.S.W., Chief Executive Officer, Long Island Cares, Inc. More panelists being confirmed. Check back soon!

F. WHAT'S TRENDING FOR 2018

Immigration. Healthcare. Gun control. Climate change. War. A look at what topics will define the 2018 public conversation, and how the news media will be adapting to meet the challenges of the digital landscape.

Moderator: Terry Lynam, Senior Vice President & Chief Public Relations Officer, Northwell Health & Senior Vice President, Board of Directors, Fair Media Council
Panelists:

• Frank Eltman, Reporter, The Associated Press
• Ann Givens, Law Enforcement Reporter, The Trace
• Reg Gale, Deputy Managing Editor, Bloomberg News
• Panelist being confirmed

G. THE MEDIA TAKES THE STAND

How will journalists regain trust with the public in the age of fake news? Some news organizations are simply sticking to the facts as a way to battle their critics, but many suggest it will take more than solid reporting to counter perceptions that the media doesn’t like America, as POTUS has claimed. Worthy of note: Recent surveys put Trump’s approval rating at 37 percent, while the public’s approval of the media bumped up — to 41 percent. Is now the time to define a new standard for an industry that serves to protect a complex and ever-changing democracy?

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:

• Michael Dawidziak, Founder & President, Strategic Planning Systems, Inc.
• Gary Lewi, Managing Director, Rubenstein
• Ralph R. Ortega, Adjunct Professor, CUNY Graduate School of Journalism
• Dan Shelley, Executive Director, Radio Television Digital News Association

H. REPORTER ROUNDTABLE

Take a deep dive into what stories the news media is covering based on what the public wants, and how the media knows it. Plus, you’ll get a sneak peek at tomorrow’s headlines and the inner workings of what defines “news.”

Moderator: Jeffrey L. Reynolds, Ph.D., CEAP, SAP, President & Chief Executive Officer, Family & Children’s Association
Panelists:

• Pei-Sze Cheng, Investigative Reporter, NBC New York
• Marla Diamond, Reporter & Anchor, WCBS Newsradio 880
• Jodi Goldberg, Reporter, WNYW/FOX5
• More panelists being confirmed

LUNCHEON WITH KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Multimedia Keynote Presentation by 2017 Cartoonist of the Year & Pulitzer Prize-Winning Editorial Cartoonist Walt Handelsman, The New Orleans Advocate

Click Here to Buy Lunch Only Tickets

I. FAKE NEWS VS. WRONG NEWS

Learn how to identify the key differences between fake news and wrong news in this exclusive educational opportunity, featuring a brief informative presentation by Charles Glasser, Esq., followed by a panel discussion that’s sure to be as entertaining as it is enlightening.

Moderator: Charles Glasser, Esq., NYU Journalism & Former Global Legal Counsel, Bloomberg Media

• Pat Milton, Senior Producer, CBS News
• Ben Mevorach, News & Programming Director, 1010 WINS
• Panelist being confirmed. Check back soon!

J. TRUTH, JUSTICE & THE COMICS

Three of the best editorial cartoonists in the business sit down to discuss the art of the craft while sharing insight and opinions on recent controversies, ranging from Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten’s cartoon that caused protests throughout the Middle East to the burning of Charlie Hebdo’s Paris office.

Moderator: TBA
Panelists:

• Matt Davies, Editorial Cartoonist, Newsday
• Walt Handelsman, Editorial Cartoonist, The New Orleans Advocate
• Jimmy Margulies, Editorial Cartoonist, amNewYork

K. EAT THE PRESS

Notable food influencers talk about what you’ll be hankering for in 2018, how the farm-to-table movement and other trends have evolved, the social media effect on the business of food, and the pressure to produce Instagram-worthy dishes.

Moderator: Steve Haweeli, Founder & President, Wordhampton Public Relations and Creator, Long Island Restaurant Week
Panelists:

• Chef Marc Anthony Bynum, HUSH Bistro and Food Network’s Chopped Champion
• Brian Halweil, Editor-in-Chief, Edible Brooklyn, Edible East End, Edible Long Island and Edible Manhattan magazines
• Erica Marcus, Food Writer, Newsday

L. SPECIAL INTENSIVE MEDIA RELATIONS WORKSHOP FOR NONPROFITS

This two-hour workshop provides comprehensive guidance for organizations to effectively become part of the public conversation, raising their image and expanding awareness of their important work. CLICK FOR DETAILS.

Moderator: Donna Drake, Host of the Television Show, LiveItUp!
Presenters:

• Jody Fisher, Vice President, Austin & Williams
• Stacey Sweet, Executive Producer & Host, Life is Sweet TV
• David North, Broadcaster & Journalist
• Jamie Herzlich, Freelance Writer

The Fair Media Council thanks its sponsors and supporters, which make this program possible: Northwell Health, Protiviti, The Nature's Bounty Company, Murphy, Bartol & O'Brien; NYU Winthrop, South Nassau Communities Hospital, Ultimate Class Limousine and The Garden City Hotel.

Fair Media Council

To learn more about the Fair Media Council, one of the oldest and most successful media watchdogs in the country: www.fairmediacouncil.org