COVID Conversations: Storytelling in Unprecedented Times
A conversation with journalists and a health professional exploring challenges, risks, and strategies for working under this year’s conditions. Presented by University of Arizona Assistant Professor Susan Swanberg’s JOUR 205 students.
About
In the year 2020, the word “normalcy” seems to have a different meaning. It has been a year filled with many twists and turns, felt and heard not only around our university, but also around the world as a multitude of problems has impacted much of humanity. Over the past several months, our class undertook the task of determining which of many issues has had the most significant impact on journalism. The topic that we chose related to the difficulties the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on journalists.
Meet our panelists
Jose Carlos Fajardo,
East Bay Times Photojournalist
Pulitzer Prize Winner for Breaking News 2017. A 25-year veteran photojournalist based in Walnut, Creek, California. Fajardo is best known for his striking sports photographs and breaking news coverage. In his free time, he enjoys taking photos of his community, son, and beloved chihuahua.
Bethany Barnes,
Tampa Bay Times Investigative Reporter
University of Arizona Journalism School alumna with a passion for local journalism. In 2018, Barnes won the Best Education Beat Reporter title for her work at The Oregonian. She has worked around newsrooms across the country as an education and investigative reporter.
Jasmine Demers, Arizona Daily Star Reporter
Demers is a local governmental affairs reporter covering Pima County and the surrounding areas. She was named Outstanding Newsperson of the Year by the UA Journalism School. In these unprecedented times, Demers has been busy covering political rallies, elections, COVID-19 and the university’s response to the pandemic.
Dr. Stephen Paul,
University of Arizona Physician
Paul is an assistant team physician for University of Arizona collegiate sports and a Clinical Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the College of Medicine. Paul was inspired by his father to pursue a career in medicine and continues to use his knowledge and expertise to help patients in today’s unprecedented health crisis.
2020: A Year in Review
Photos Courtesy of Panelist Jose Carlos Fajardo
Our student’s work
Coming Soon.
Our Sponsors
This project was made possible by the generous donations and collaboration with the following sponsors.
Al Litzow graduated from the University of Arizona School of Journalism in 1973. This project would not have been possible without his generous student engagement grant supporting creative ways to teach virtually during this pandemic.
“Journalism was always sacred to me. I grew up in boarding schools and the written word was literally my only connection to the world. Good journalism is the glue holding together real truth, new ideas, opportunities, disseminating the good and the bad news that we all need to know.”
— Al Litzow, Class of 1973