Moments of Truth

The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information is honored to be selected as a host for Moments of Truth: An Exploration of Journalism’s Past, Present and Future.

Moments of Truth is part of the Poynter Institute’s , which includes stops at cities around the United States. Visitors are invited to explore the evolution of journalism and learn how the industry is adapting to the future, all while strengthening their media literacy skills.

The interactive exhibit explores the rise of the American free press, from its first newspapers to the rise of artificial intelligence. It also offers practical teachings to separate fact from fiction in a world of deepfakes and technology-assisted misinformation.

Notably, Moments of Truth takes place the same week CMDI will host J-Day, the annual journalism showcase presented by the Colorado Student Media Association. The event gathers more than 1,000 high-school students interested in journalism and communication for a day of learning, connecting and networking. Several industry speakers from Poynter’s media literacy arm, MediaWise, will deliver talks to Colorado high school students in attendance.Ìý

Organizing Partners: The Poynter Institute, MediaWise and the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information.Ìý

Moments of Truth: An Exploration of Journalism’s Past, Present and Future

If you go
  • ÌýÌý
  • ÌýÌýTuesday, Sept. 23, through Thursday, Oct. 9
  • ÌýÌý, second floor, southwest study area
    1720 Pleasant St., BoulderÌý

The anchor for the series is Moments of Truth: An Exploration of Journalism’s Past, Present and Future, an exhibit created by the Poynter Institute’s MediaWise initiative, which includes:

  • A historical timeline of major headlines and media shifts.
  • Interactive media literacy challenges to sharpen your news smarts.
  • Opportunities to reflect on your media journey.

Class Visits
Small groups or classes under 30 people who do not require reserved seating are welcome to visit during Norlin’s . For groups over 30, or those who would like to reserve seating for a class or discussion, please use . Requests should be submitted two weeks in advance.Ìý

Moments of Truth: Community Conversation

If you go
  • ÌýÌý5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • ÌýÌýTuesday, Sept. 30
  • Ìý
    1000 Canyon Blvd. Boulder

The ways news and stories get told shifts with each generation. In this moderated panel discussion, journalists from the community at different points in their careers will explore the power and complexities of intergenerational stories before taking a deep dive into a specific example: environmental reporting.

This event is organized by a community partner and hosted by the Boulder Public Library. at the Boulder Public Library main branch is available in both the Canyon and Arapahoe lots. To reach the theater from the Arapahoe lot, cross the creek using the exterior bridge.

Light refreshments will be available at 5 p.m. The event will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.

Panelists

Phaedra Pezzullo

Phaedra Pezzullo, a professor of communication in the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information, is an internationally known scholar with interdisciplinary expertise focusing primarily on environmental and climate justice studies, rhetorics of social movements, and environmental communication. She is the founding director of the Sustainability and Storytelling Lab, which studies the roles communication and stories play in advancing environmental fairness and justice.

Moderator

Jade Liu

Fairview High senior Jade Liu writes for the school's Royal Banner newspaper and was recently a summer intern for the Informal Learning Office at the Library of Congress. Last year she was the climate change committee chair on Representative Joe Neguse's Youth Advisory Council, which involved researching and presenting on environmental/climate issues in his district and possible bills he could sponsor.

Mark Trahant

Mark Trahant has worked for and led newsrooms in the American West for more than five decades. He is the former editor of ICT (formerly Indian Country Today) as well as the former editorial page editor for the Seattle P-I. In April, he was selected for the 2025 in recognition of his lifelong dedication to journalism and commitment to Native American storytelling. This winter he will be the Asper Visiting Professor at the University of British Columbia.

Amanda Williams

Amanda Williams is the special projects editor for NPR's 1A. She's joining the Ted Scripps Fellowship to explore intergenerational stories of environmental change around the world. Welcoming her daughter in 2024 got her thinking more about how to convey the timescale of climate change through shared memories. For her fellowship year, Amanda will explore family stories of environmental change and connect them to climate solutions. She hopes to center our youngest community members in her reporting.ÌýÌý

More

Trivia night at the Denver Press Club
If you go
  • ÌýÌý6:30 p.m.
  • ÌýÌýWednesday, Oct. 1
  • ÌýÌý
    1330 Glenarm Place, Denver

Join MediaWise for , a journalism-themed trivia challenge where participants test their knowledge on topics like misinformation, journalism history and fact-checking.Ìý

Attendees will also get a sneak peak at Poynter’s traveling exhibit Moments of Truth: An Exploration of Journalism’s Past, Present and Future. MediaWise is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative of the Poynter Institute that empowers diverse communities with the skills to identify misinformation through engaging, innovative media literacy education.Ìý

Ìý
  • ÌýÌýWednesday, Oct. 1
  • ÌýÌýÌÒÉ«ÊÓƵ campus
    This event is not open to the public.

CMDI and the Colorado Student Media Association will welcome more than a thousand high school students and advisors to campus for a day of learning, connecting and networking with peers at schools across Colorado and journalism professionals.Ìý

Ìý Visit Ìý