The University of Arizona

 

Rehnquist Center Hosting Conference on New Media, the Courts

Stephen Breyer

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will speak next month during the UA James E. Rogers College of Law conference. (Photo courtesy of The Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States)

Sally Rider

Sally Rider, director of the William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of Government

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will deliver opening remarks at the one-day symposium.


By Nancy Stanley, James E. Rogers College of Law
August 4, 2008

A one-day symposium exploring the impact of “new media” on coverage of and public education about the courts will be presented by a University of Arizona law center.

The James E. Rogers College of Law's William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of the Government will hold the conference Sept. 9 at the Marriott University Park Hotel, 880 E. Second St. in Tucson.

Some of the nation’s leading judges, scholars and journalists will convene at the UA event to look at how new media – including Web sites, blogs and “wikis” – have changed reporting about, and public understanding of, both state and federal courts.

“Public understanding of the role of courts in our constitutional system is key to maintaining public confidence in the courts," explained Sally Rider, who directs the UA's Rehnquist Center.

“With the exponential growth of traditional and new media reporting on the courts, and the number of interest groups seeking to educate the public and influence public attitudes about the courts, the time seems right to explore the opportunities and challenges presented," Rider said.

United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is scheduled to deliver opening remarks. His comments will be followed by additional speakers and three interactive panel discussions on the impact of new media, public education and constraints and opportunities for courts.

Confirmed participants include:

  • Joan Biskupic, Supreme Court Correspondent, USA Today
  • Tom Hodson, Director, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, Ohio University
  • D. Brock Hornby, U.S. District Court for the District of Maine
  • Tony Mauro, Supreme Court Correspondent, The Legal Times
  • Ruth McGregor, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Arizona
  • Gene Policinski, Vice President and Executive Director, The First Amendment Center

Judges, lawyers, scholars, journalists and those involved in educating the public about the courts are the targeted audiences for the conference, which is open to the public.

The symposium is the second national program hosted by the Rehnquist Center in Tucson. In February, the center sponsored a conference on Federalism and Climate Change, drawing scholars from law and science, as well as national and regional policymakers and policy advocates.

et cetera

  • Extra Info |

     

    Registration for the conference is $50.  Space is limited, so advanced registration is required by visiting the Rehnquist Center's Web site.

     

    The non-partisan Rehnquist Center was established in 2006 to honor the legacy of the late Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. The Center is dedicated to encouraging scholarship about and public understanding of the separation of powers, the balance of powers between the federal and state governments and judicial independence.

  • Contact Info
    Media Contacts

    Nancy Stanley

    James E. Rogers College of Law

    520-621-8430


    Sally Rider

    William H. Rehnquist Center on the Constitutional Structures of the Government

    sally.rider@law.arizona.edu


© 2008 Arizona Board of Regents