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On the evening of March 24, the �������� community had the privilege of welcoming two esteemed national political reporters; Paul Kane of the Washington Post and Carl Hulse of the New York Times. Kane and Hulse came to �������� to engage in an insightful discussion on the future of journalism with moderator Chris Gullen, associate professor and chair of the Department of Communication. 

Opening the event, Charles DiStefano, associate professor of political science and director of the Master of Public Administration, Policy and Civic Engagement program, noted, “The topic of discussion, ‘The Future of the Fourth Estate: A Report from Washington, D.C.’ is in reference to the media and its ability to provide us with credible information on the workings of government. This access is critical, for without it, or without trust in what is being reported, we will be unable to hold those elected to represent our interests accountable for, as the last Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee stated, ‘If we don’t hold them accountable, who will?’”

Similar, President Linda Thompson remarked, “Throughout the history of our nation, we have expected and depended on the press to present information in a fair, unbiased and truthful way. This purpose is critical to develop well-informed citizens who can make positive, smart, educated, and reasonable decisions for their families and communities.

Kane and Hulse began the conversation sharing stories of  their personal beginnings in journalism, although they noted that today’s student journalists will likely have a very different path as media is rapidly changing. Although Kane initially planned to

 pursue a career in law, he recalled how his interests shifted in college. “I took a Journalism course because you had to check the box of a writing requirement and all of a sudden I had to write stories about the campus and I started covering the campus administration.” It was after this course that Kane realized his fondness for journalism, “And I realized I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I wanted to write about the people who were making the laws.” That interest has paid off as he has progressed to covering Congress for the Washington Post. 

Hulse similarly shared his story, although he knew journalism was for him from a young age. He began with his grandmother's old type-writer in a small town in Illinois, a community much like Westfield. “When I was a little kid I would type up a little newspaper, that’s a classic story.” As early as third grade he was a published author as his story about the demolition of a building in his community was featured in the local newspaper.

This passion for journalism has taken him from those humble beginnings through various roles, including positions in management, although reporting is where his passion lies. 

The conversation soon shifted to the evolving nature of journalism and the challenges reporters face. Both Kane and Hulse placed emphasis on the role of reliable reporting and the challenges faced by the public when media outlets have limited resources to cover all levels of government. They encouraged the audience to consume news carefully and seek out multiple sources in order to get a full viewpoint of our world.. 

The reporters also touched upon advice for younger generations who desire to get involved in political reporting and the prevailing need for reporters. They also recognized concerns surrounding the future of the fourth estate with the recent development and evolution of AI. To this Kane relayed that human ears and eyes are crucial to reporting truthful and full stories.

After the discussion, the floor opened up for audience questions. Audience engagement was lively, with thoughtful questions that prompted detailed and insightful responses from both journalists. One student asked whether there were any historical figures or personal acquaintances who inspired their careers. Kane replied, “For me, as a younger kid, it was sport writers.” He then recognized the influential and lasting impact that Bill Lyon' sports column had on him. Hulse recalled the influence that Mike Royko and his columns had on him. 

Although the rapid evolution of journalism can be challenging for both writers and their audiences, both reporters noted that this is also an exciting time for people to try out as many forms of media as possible. They encouraged students to experiment with video, social media, and other new channels as opportunities to participate in shaping the narrative of our communities. They encouraged fact checking and building a network of informed people to ensure that the best stories get to the public.

As the event drew to a close, the audience was left with much to contemplate, a deeper sense of appreciation for journalism, and tremendous gratitude for Kane and Hulse for their visit to ��������.