Founder of The Wedding Cookie Table Community on Facebook Shares Citizen Reporting Academy Experience Alumni Profile
Meet Laura Magone '24
- Job Title & Employer
- Self-employed organizational development consultant
- Major/Program
- Citizen Reporting Academy
- Now Living In
- Monongahela, PA
- Hobbies & Interests
Founder of The Wedding Cookie Table Community on Facebook, photographer and documentary filmmaker
"I applaud Point Park University for organizing and offering such a timely and important program. This program has the potential to make significant contributions to our society and world."
Laura Magone is best known for her Facebook page The Wedding Cookie Table Community. The page originated as a place for Magone to collect information for a documentary about the unique Pittsburgh tradition and has taken on a life of its own with a highly-engaged community of 280,000 members as of July 2024.
For a documentarian with a strong sense of community, it was a short step for Magone to discover an interest in local journalism and the role of the citizen reporter. Magone was one of the first graduates of the Citizen Reporting Academy presented by Point Park University's Center for Media Innovation.
What led you to enroll in the Citizen Reporting Academy?
I learned about the Academy by reading an article in my local newspaper, the Mon Valley Independent. It's hard for local newspapers to survive because people are getting their news elsewhere from non-fact-based sources. The article talked about what everyday people like me can do to help. I thought I'd like to get involved to see what I can do. I view local newspapers as part of the bedrock of our society and democracy. They are important. We need our local newspapers to survive.
What did you learn in the program?
I was introduced to a wide array of subject matter experts who imparted rich knowledge. With each module, I was exposed to current trends and materials which expanded my thinking and understanding. Something that was new for me was studying media bias. We looked at different publications to see if they skew left or right or have a central bias. I really enjoyed studying that and thinking about the impact on readers.
How will you apply what you learned?
I enjoy investigative reporting and hope to put together some stories that can be published.
What are your goals as a citizen reporter?
We live in a world where people rely more and more on unverified sources for news. I'd like to be part of the solution as a credible source who can explore timely topics and share what I learn with the public. I am passionate about the vital role of journalism in a democracy.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I applaud Point Park University for organizing and offering such a timely and important program. This program has the potential to make significant contributions to our society and world.
Magone's Wedding Cookie Table Community Featured on the Today Show
World's Largest Cookie Table Featured in Pittsburgh Magazine
Pittsburgh Magazine featured Laura Magone when the Facebook community broke the Guinness World Record for largest cookie table.