Newsapalooza at Point Park University Celebrates the Value of Local Journalism Tuesday, October 15, 2024
Point Park University's Center for Media Innovation celebrated all things local journalism at Newsapalooza, a first-of-its-kind event for Pittsburgh on September 27.
"Newsapalooza began as an idea about how we can reengage the public with journalism in a fun way to create excitement and a strong understanding about the role of a free, independent press in supporting our American democracy," said Andrew Conte, Ph.D., assistant vice president and managing director of the CMI. "A big part of our goal was to expand the conversation around local journalism."
Newsapalooza launched the Next Generation Newsroom, which fills the gap in local reporting and serves six million readers through its 29 regional publishing partners.
Newsapalooza Day in Allegheny County
Hundreds of high school students and their teachers, community members and Point Park students, faculty and staff packed the PNC Theatre in the University's Pittsburgh Playhouse to kick off Newsapalooza Day in Allegheny County, by a declaration of County Executive Sara Innamorato.
CMI Graduate Assistant Nick Tommarello, also known as Newsie Nick, surprised participants with a special video message and welcome from award-winning actor and singer Billy Porter.
"An informed Pittsburgh is a strong Pittsburgh," said Porter. "Investing in local news is investing in all of us. I love Pittsburgh and I'm here to say: 'Come on Pittsburgh, invest in your local news!'"
Mayor Ed Gainey spoke next.
"It's my honor to be here today among journalists and those who believe in presenting factual news to the city and the nation," said Gainey. "Journalists can shift a neighborhood, a community or a person, and when we have great journalism, we have fair reporting."
Visit Scholarship Opportunity for High School Media Day Attendees
Marlin Collingwood, vice president of enrollment management, addressed the 250 high school students attending Newsapalooza and the School of Communication's High School Media Day.
"We believe you are the future of journalism, so every high school student here today is automatically eligible for Point Park's Visit Scholarship, valued at $4,000," Collingwood announced.
CBS Journalist Robert Costa Gives Keynote Address
Ken Rice, KDKA-TV anchor, gave the final introduction to set the stage for the keynote speaker, Robert Costa, CBS News chief election and campaign correspondent and an eastern Pennsylvania native.
"It's my honor to introduce our very impressive guest speaker — who covers national politics and American democracy — and it's wonderful to have him here in Pittsburgh," Rice said.
Rice went on to joke that while Costa is an impressive guy, he may not be perfect.
"I understand Robert is a big Philadelphia sports fan," Rice teased. "I also don't know this for a fact, and I'm an admirer of his work, but I think we can presume that based on where he grew up in eastern Pennsylvania, he prefers Wawa to Sheetz. Of course, as reporters, we are taught early on not to speculate."
Costa told the story about how he started in local journalism as a teenager and the seminal moment when he covered singer/songwriter John Mayer in 2002, a rising artist at that time.
"I wanted to be a music journalist," Costa said. "I went early to cover John Mayer and took notes on the opening band, who no one seemed to be paying attention to. This guy tapped me on the shoulder and asked if I wanted to meet the band, and I said yes."
Costa wrote a profile story for his local newspaper, the Bucks County Courier Times, and asked that band to play at his high school. In March of 2003, that band played a full acoustic concert at his high school, and he wrote another story about them.
"Six months later, the radio started picking up their songs and they started to explode," Costa said. "It turns out the band was Maroon 5."
He added: "On top of that, I asked John Mayer to play my high school prom, and it was the only prom he ever played."
Costa explained that these stories all come back to the value of local journalism.
"Local journalism provides a prism into what's happening on the ground — the values, ideas and policies that affect people's lives," he said. "As a local journalist, assume nothing. Pay attention, talk to the people in your community, and when you can interview that opening band, do it."
Newsapalooza and High School Media Day Highlights
Following Costa's speech, Newsapalooza participants attended panel discussions about local journalism, while high school students gained hands-on experience learning about media and communications.
"High School Media Day was so much fun," said Alexandra Cecala, a sophomore at Bethel Park High School. "You get to experience a college campus and meet teachers and students. My friends and I enjoyed using the equipment in the CMI TV studio and being on camera."
In Their Own Words: High School Media Day Feedback
Matthew Carlson
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing
Central Catholic High School
"I brought six Central Catholic High School students to get exposure to media in a college setting. The students always return from Point Park's High School Media Day inspired and full of ideas to implement at Central Catholic."
Nathaniel Ostin
Senior, Central Catholic High School
"I came to High School Media Day to get a closer look at journalism and broadcasting because I want to be a photographer or videographer for the NFL or NHL. Point Park's campus and facilities are very nice."
Jonah Summers '25
Broadcast Reporting Major
Avonworth High School Graduate
"I taught high school students how to use our video journalist (VJ) kits: how to use a camera, a microphone, set up a shot, give a reporter stand-up and tips to be comfortable on air. Plus, I showed them how to set up and tear down the camera and equipment. High School Media Day is a rewarding opportunity for students to see what Point Park and the School of Communication offers."