Topeka - Museum After Hours - Kansas Museum of History
“From the Desk of William Allen White: What Can Journalists Today Learn from the Sage of Emporia?”
Nearly 90 years ago, William Allen White was called "the most loved and most distinguished member" of the Kansas press. Today, journalists face a growing number of challenges from lack of public trust, financial declines, and misinformation generated by AI and social media. This panel discussion explores what journalists today can still learn from White's success, as well as what's needed from the public to revive rural journalism. Panelists include Lily O’Shea Becker, a multimedia reporter at KSHB in Kansas City; Teri Finneman, journalism professor at the University of Kansas and founder/publisher of The Eudora Times; Mará Rose Williams, Kansas City Star's senior columnist; Clay Wirestone, opinion editor at Kansas Reflector; and Stephen Wolgast, Knight Chair in audience and community engagement for news at the University of Kansas. The museum will be open during this time from 5-8 p.m. and admission will be free. The program starts at 6:30. This presentation will be offered in a hybrid format with options to livestream it on the KSHS YouTube channel or attend in-person at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka.
