Facebook Journalism Project Topic of March 5 Talk

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An Emmy Award-winning freelance journalist is coming to The University of Toledo this week.

Lynn Walsh, former president of the Society of Professional Journalists, will give a free, public talk about the Facebook Journalism Project Thursday, March 5, at 6 p.m. in Rocket Hall Room 1530.

The Facebook Journalism Project was created in January 2017 to ensure that quality news thrives on Facebook. The project focuses on three pillars: collaborative development of new products; tools and training for newsrooms; and tools and training for people.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

In 2018, Facebook partnered with SPJ to train a network of professionals to teach Facebook tools for journalists at conferences, workshops and newsrooms around the country. Facebook and SPJ are committed to creating opportunities for journalists everywhere to learn about the ways Facebook tools can help create and share much-needed works of journalism, as well as engaging the public in the stories about their communities.

“We are very fortunate to offer this national program to our students,” said Dee Drummond, a senior lecturer in the UToledo Communication Department. “At a time when many people are getting their news from social media, it’s critical that journalists understand all the tools available on Facebook and how to ethically and accurately use those tools to present factual information.”

Drummond heard Walsh at the SPJ Excellence in Journalism conference in San Antonio last September. Walsh has an extensive background in journalism and is a national leader in the effort to rebuild trust between newsrooms and the public.

Walsh has worked in investigative, data and TV journalism at the national level, as well as in Ohio, California, Texas and Florida.

“I think anyone would enjoy and learn from her presentation — whether or not they are interested in a journalism or media career,” Drummond said.

Students can support excellent journalism and fight for their right to know by becoming a member of the Facebook Journalism Project, giving to the Legal Defense Fund, or giving to the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation. For more information, visit the Facebook Journalism Project website or the SPJ website.