The Knight Commission on the Information Needs of

Communities in a Democracy

Montana Community Forum Agenda

The University of Montana Campus, Missoula • October 25, 2008
A project of the Aspen Institute and the John S. and James L.
Knight Foundation

Forum on Meeting the Public’s Information Needs in Montana

The University of Montana · 32 Campus Drive ·
Missoula, Montana 59812

Campus Map: http://www.umt.edu/home/map/imx/UM_campus_map.pdf

Roundtable Format: Each speaker will offer no more than seven minutes of prepared remarks.
Members of the Commission will pose questions (and panelists will exchange views with one another)
for about 20 minutes. We will then be open to comments and questions from the floor.

8:45-9:00 Welcome and Introductions

Gallagher Business Building, Room 104

9:00-10:30 Videoconference on the Needs of Agriculture and Small Communities

Gallagher Business Building, Room 104 (see bottom of page for videoconference
locations)

Moderator: William Marcus, Director, Broadcast Media Center, The University of

Montana, Montana Public Radio/KUFM-TV, Montana PBS

Senator Jerry Black, KSEN/KZIN Radio. (Videoconference location: Great Falls

College of Technology)

Joe Hansen, Big Timber News Citizen Newspaper Group, Executive Director,
Western EMS Network. (Videoconference location: Burns Center 126, Bozeman, MT)

Gary Moseman, Managing Editor, Great Falls Tribune. (Videoconference location:

Great Falls College of Technology)

Russell Nemetz, Agriculture Director for the Northern Agriculture Network, and
coordinates nation’s best Farm Broadcaster Team. (Videoconference location: Great
Falls College of Technology)

Douglas Steele, Vice President and Director of Extension, Montana State University.
(Location: Burns Center 126, Bozeman, MT)

UOM 30 UOM – Gallagher 104 GCT 24 Great Falls College of Technology MSU 35-45 Burns Center 126
th
Primary METNET Site
11:00-12:30 2100 16 Ave., So. Room B-133 Primary METNET Site
Public Information Needs on the Environment and Natural Resources
Corner of Arthur and Eddy StreetsUC
Room 104 rd METNET Scheduling Line:
Theatre, 3 floor of the University Center 406.444.6788 S. 7th & Grant
METNET Scheduling Line: 406.444.6788 Great Falls, MT 59403 Bozeman, MT 59717
Missoula, MT 59806 Scheduler and Site Technical Contact: METNET Scheduling Line: 444.6788
Scheduler and Site Technical Contacts: Deb Richerson: 771.4303 Scheduler and Site Technical Contact
Jamie Dixson: 243.6532/Joan Richarde: 243.6519 Nadeen Comfort: 944.6553
11:00-12:30 Public Information Needs of the Environment and Natural Resources
UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the University Center

Moderator: Nadia White, Assistant Professor, University of Montana School of

Journalism

Gayla Benefield, Community Organizer, Libby, Montana

Tom France, Director, National Wildlife Foundation Northern Rockies Natural

Resource Center

Ian Marquand, Special Projects Coordinator, KPAX Television, and President,

Montana Society of Professional Journalists

Ray Ring, Senior Editor, High Country News

Jonathan Weber, Publisher and CEO, NewWest.net

12:30-1:30 Lunch Break, University Center Food Court

1:30-3:00 The Information Needs of Underserved People and Communities

UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the University Center

Moderator: Sally Mauk, News Director, Montana Public Radio

Mark Anderlik, Executive Officer, UNITE HERE Local 427, and President,
Missoula Area Central Labor Council AFL-CIO

Luella Brien, Former Reporter, Billings Gazette, Member, Crow Tribe

Ellie Hill, Executive Director, Poverello Center

Patty LaPlant, Enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and Coordinator of the
National Native Children’s Trauma Center, The University of Montana

Richard Wolff, Gilhousen Chair, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Department, Montana State University

3:15-4:45 The Public’s Needs for Political Information

UC Theatre, 3rd Floor of the University Center

Moderator: Dennis Swibold, Professor, University of Montana School of Journalism

Linda Gray, President, Max Media of Montana

Charles S. Johnson, Chief, Lee State Bureau

Stephen Maly, Director, Helena Civic TV

Matt Singer, CEO, Forward Montana, and Blogger, Left in the West

K'Lynn Sloan, Montana Correspondent, MTV Choose or Lose Street Team '08

4:45-5:00 Closing Remarks