October 4th, 2026 • 2024 Region 8+12 Conference: New Orleans | #2026: Columbus
Beyond ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’: Sports Coverage as Public Affairs
Sports touches everything: politics, the economy and the environment. Nicole Kraft, professor of practice at Ohio State University, hosted a panel on Oct. 2, “Sports Is a Public Affairs Beat: Covering Money, Power, Labor and Community Impact.” Joining her on the panel were Cameron Robinson of The Athletic and Matt Brown of Extra Points MB, in a discussion on how to push sports journalism beyond game coverage.
October 2nd, 2026 • 2026: Columbus
Getting Around the Gag Rule: How Journalists Can Fight for Free Speech
Gag rules may seem like a brick wall to reporters, but there are ways to access government employees to glean information that is in the public interest. Laura Bischoff, a journalist at the Columbus Dispatch, CNN Senior Counsel Frank LoMonte and retired communications professor Carolyn Carlson of Kennesaw State University gave SPJ 2026 attendees a rundown on free speech and press rights of government employees and journalists.
October 2nd, 2026 • 2026: Columbus
The Rundown on Freelancing: What It Takes to Run a Freelance Journalism Business
Freelancing is serious business. From finances to legal protection, there’s a lot to juggle when you’re self-employed. The “Getting Down to the Business of Freelance Journalism” panel, held on Oct. 1, shared advice with journalists on navigating the nuts and bolts of finances and legal affairs when starting a freelance business.