Clockwise from top left: Alisyn Camerota, John Berman, Dave Briggs, and Richard Blumenthal
CNN morning host John Berman, veteran journalists Alisyn Camerota and Dave Briggs, and special guest U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal headline a timely discussion about the news media’s evolution after the 2024 election.
The event, jointly sponsored by the Y's Men of Westport/Weston and The Westport Library, begins at 2 pm on Sunday, January 12, in the Library's Trefz Forum. Registration for the event is currently at capacity, but there will be an in-person waitlist on the day of the event.
Berman will be joined during the panel discussion by Camerota, formerly of CNN and Fox News, and Briggs, whose experience spans CNN, Fox News, and Yahoo Finance. They will answer questions about the challenges and changes facing the industry in the wake of a contentious election cycle and the evolution of how the public gets its news.
The panel will also feature Westport’s own Dan Woog, who will provide a local perspective based on his work as an author and daily blogger, posting to the blog, 06880: Where Westport Meets the World. Staples High School's award-winning journalism teacher Mary Elizabeth Fulco, co-teacher and literary magazine editor Joseph Del Gobbo, and student representatives from Staples High School's journalism program will also be on hand to explore the media's role in democracy and the future of journalism.
Blumenthal will serve as a special guest of honor for the afternoon. Connecticut’s senior senator was first elected in 2011 and is currently in his third term, having previously served as the state’s attorney general from 1991 to 2011.
This event will be moderated by Y’s Men Past President John Brandt. It is co-sponsored by The Westport Library and the Y’s Men of Westport/Weston.
Key issues to be addressed by the panel include journalism under political pressure, maintaining accuracy and truthfulness, preserving public trust, combating deliberate mis- and disinformation and adapting to rapid information spread on digital platforms.
Following the discussion, the assembled panelists will answer questions from the audience.
