Covering Immigrant Populations: Words Matter

Join the Central Ohio SPJ as we present our annual diversity program from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the Buckeye Hall of Fame Grill, 900 Goodale Blvd. in the Grandview Yard development.

This year we examine a topic of growing importance in the greater Columbus region through our session “Covering Immigrant Populations: Words Matter.” What are the key issues confronting journalists as they cover different immigrant populations? How important a role does use of specific language play, particularly in light of recent guidance from the national SPJ, AP, NPR and others to avoid the term “illegal immigrant” in favor of “undocumented”?

The program will be a panel discussion moderated by Meredith Heagney, religion writer for The Columbus Dispatch and a Central Ohio SPJ board member.

Panelists include:

• Ahmed Adan, director/CEO for Somali Media and Cultural Organization
• Mark Curnutte, minority affairs and social issues reporter for The Cincinnati Enquirer and author of “A Promise in Haiti”
• Andrew Welsh Huggins, legal affairs reporter with the Columbus bureau of the Associated Press, author and a Central Ohio SPJ board member
• Jason Riveiro, a Cincinnati-area multicultural external relations professional and state director of the League of United Latin American Citizens

Join us for a tasty array of complimentary hors d’oeuvres, lively discussion and networking time with fellow journalists. The program is free. A cash bar also will be available.