Panel of journalists, advocates and law enforcement officials to discuss

A panel of journalists, advocates and law enforcement officials will discuss the issue of human trafficking, both domestic and abroad, on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 6 p.m. at Pugh Hall on the University of Florida campus.

“A Conversation on Modern-Day Slavery” is presented by the UF College of Journalism and Communications in partnership with the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service. The event and parking is free and open to the public.

Panelists will include journalists from the Herald-Tribune who on Sunday, Oct. 13, published “The Stolen Ones,” (thestolenones.heraldtribune.com) a compelling investigative series that shares the stories of victims of human trafficking in Florida.

“This isn’t the polite chit-chat of receptions or lunch meetings, yet this issue of trafficking – and the sordid economy of abusing children – is flourishing nationally, in Florida, and probably down the street if not in your neighborhood,” Herald-Tribune Executive Editor Bill Church said.

Bridget Grogan, with WUFT News, will moderate the panel that includes Church, Herald-Tribune reporter J. David McSwane; Herald-Tribune projects editor Scott Carroll; Jeanne Singer, chief assistant state attorney, Eighth Judicial Circuit; Frank Williams, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Florida; and others.

“Conversations like this one are critical in a democratic society,” said Diane McFarlin, dean of the UF College of Journalism and Communications. “This fits within our mission as an institution of higher education and steward of North Florida’s public media outlets. It is our obligation to bring these types of discussions to the community and work through the weighty and under-the-radar issues together.”

The event will be recorded and portions of the evening will be edited for possible broadcast on the NPR and PBS affiliates, Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM and Florida’s 5 WUFT-TV.

In addition to the Thursday evening conversation, the College also will be hosting a digital exhibition on Friday, Nov. 22 in the College’s 21^st Century News Laboratory (G037 Weimer Hall) addressing issues of child sex trafficking in Greece. This exhibit features the photographic work of College alumnus and adjunct instructor Jeremiah Stanley, JM 2009. Stanley and his wife, Meredith, raised funds to document child trafficking in Greece last summer. The event begins at 7:30 p.m.

Posted: November 7, 2013
Category: College News
Tagged as: Guest Speaker