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The Bay Agenda: The Future of Press Freedom

How will journalism fare under the new Trump administration? KALW produced a panel discussion with 1st Amendment experts to explore the dangers and opportunities.

In this event co-sponsored by the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California (SPJNC) and the San Francisco Press Club, experts from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, First Amendment Coalition, SPJNC’s Freedom of Information Committee, along with leading local journalists explored issues including:

  • How will the enduring impact of the President-elect’s rhetoric, such as the "enemy of the people" and “fake news” narratives impact public trust and safety?
  • How should journalists prepare to meet escalating legal threats including defamation suits, such as Trump’s recent settlement with ABC News.
  • How will journalists address the rise of digital harassment, government surveillance, and hacking targeting the press, as well as challenges in securing public records and maintaining transparency.

KALW Executive Producer Ben Trefny spoke about these topics and created space for community conversation with these panelists:

David Greene — Civil Liberties Director and Senior Staff Attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation

Ginny LaRoe  Advocacy Director for the First Amendment Coalition

Thomas Peele Co-chair of the Freedom of Information Committee of the Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists

Ben Trefny
Ben earned a Master's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon in 2000 and got his start in public radio at NPR member station KLCC in Eugene. After freelancing for many magazines and producing for regional and national commercial and public radio programs, he joined KALW in 2004. As Executive News Editor and then News Director, he helped the news department win numerous regional and national awards for long- and short-form journalism. He also helped teach hundreds of audio producers, many of whom work with him at KALW, today.