Professional journalists and journalism students from throughout the western United States discussed and debated the “Future of Journalism” Monday in panels and presentations at the University of Hawaii’s Campus Center, kicking off a two-day conference on campus.

This Society of Professional Journalists’ Region 11 event — attracting participants from Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada and Mariana Islands — started with a session that featured Mark Carpenter, a news anchor for Hawaii News Now, and Ben Nishimoto, vice president of operations and philanthropy for Honolulu Civil Beat, talking about their experiences working in journalism, the challenges they faced, and the assertion that the journalism of the future must not be treated as a product but considered as a public service.

Another significant area addressed during the first day of the conference was the challenge of misinformation and proliferation of “fake news” in the media. This issue is particularly common  in rural areas, where access to news services is limited, and local news coverage is rare, Carpenter said, adding that in these areas, up to 75% of the population has never spoken to a journalist, further cementing the notion that mainstream media is problematic and holds a hidden agenda.

Nishimoto said he and Civil Beat are addressing this pervasive issue through community-engagement efforts, by creating opportunities for the public to engage with journalists and allowing them to voice their perspectives on what topics they believe should be covered. 

“By establishing safe speaking spaces and encouraging open discussions,” he said, “this approach has proven effective in raising awareness about current events within communities and casting a positive light on journalism as a public service.”

Related events about journalism and the industry’s future will continue on campus through Tuesday.