Public Speaking

“Building Trust & Growing Your Audience through Meaningful Engagement” (Wisconsin Community Newspaper Forum, October 2021): In this session, I discussed how small community publishers can build trust and grow their audience by implementing meaningful engagement strategies.

“Community funded journalism: Philanthropic options for newspapers & tips for success” (Newspaper Association Managers Annual Conference, August 2021; Wisconsin Community Newspaper Forum, October 2021): During this session, which I presented to state newspaper association directors from across the country and Wisconsin newspaper leaders, I discussed the lessons legacy media should be taking away from the success many nonprofit newsrooms have found (and how it can only work with the right type of audience engagement).

This pretty much sums it up. (Photo by Jennifer P. Brown)

“Covering Misinformation & Disinformation: A Journalist’s Role” (Tri-State Newspaper Convention, February 2021): I moderated a conversation between journalists and journalism educators working to combat misinformation and disinformation.

“Protecting Democracy: Freedom of Speech and of the Press” (University of Wisconsin-Platteville, October 2019): I conducted a lecture on the state of the First Amendment, with a special focus on freedom of speech and press and why it’s crucial that citizens know their rights and exercise them.

“The State of Media & Ethics” (Ripon College, October 2019): I served on a panel that explored changes in the media industry and the future of news.

“Journalism: A Building Block for Success” (Kettle Moraine Press Association Fall Conference, 2017-2019): During the annual tri-state convention of high school journalists, I gave a presentation about the unique real-world training that journalism provides and how students can utilize those skills regardless of the career path they choose.

“Navigating Sunshine Laws” (KEMPA Fall Conference, 2018-2019): I led a session outlining some of the public records high school journalists are entitled to, how to request them, and tips for what to do when administrators create roadblocks to access.

“True Stories from Young Journalists” (KEMPA Fall Conference, 2018-2019): I moderated a panel of young professionals working in their first journalism jobs.

julia hunter speaking to an audience of students
KEMPA Fall Conference (Photo by James Debilzen)

“Driving Traffic to Your Website” (Multi Media Channels, 2019): During a company-wide training retreat, I led a session about how newsrooms can grow their reach by engaging with audiences online.

“Writing for the Web” (Multi Media Channels, 2018): I co-presented this session with tips for how to write for online audiences.

“Watchdog Reporting Tips for Student Journalists” (Ripon College, 2018): I shared resources and tips with student journalists about where to find data for watchdog reporting efforts and how to navigate some of the challenges they face.

Sunshine Seminars (Kentucky Press Association, 2008): I discussed the work I did to expose a local police department of habitually violating its pursuit policy — putting the lives of innocent bystanders at risk — and how I was able to prevail in my efforts to obtain records about the case.

“Computer-Assisted Reporting” (Mid-America Press Institute workshop, 2008): I discussed how to use online tools and social media platforms to connect with sources and identify information to support reporting efforts.