Covering the Courts: A Dialogue for Journalists and the Judiciary

Overview:

The Fourth Estate and the third branch of government are essential to a well-functioning democracy. An independent judiciary requires public confidence in its ability to serve justice, and the media plays an important role in informing the public about the court system and cases adjudicated in the courts. This educational event will afford judges and journalists an opportunity to enhance their understanding of each other’s work and responsibilities, and have a productive conversation on matters of importance in an off-the-record* forum. A number of topics will be discussed, including: bail, sentencing, ethical standards, public access, fact-checking, editorial balance and newsroom roles.

Please note: There is no charge to attend this event, however, space is limited. Registration is required. We plan to make every effort to accommodate an equal number of registrations for the judiciary and the media. You will be notified of your placement status after we have begun to process registrations.

Panelists and Speakers

Speakers:

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants
Hon. Robert J. Cordy (ret.), Supreme Judicial Court
Rachelle Cohen, Assistant Editorial Page Editor, The Boston Globe

Judges Panel:

In alphabetical order

Supreme Judicial Court Justice David A. Lowy (Panel Moderator)
Boston Municipal Court Judge Kathleen E. Coffey
Superior Court Chief Justice Judith Fabricant
Superior Court Judge Janet L. Sanders
District Court Judge Roanne Sragow
Court Administrator Jonathan S. Williams, Massachusetts Trial Court

Media Panel:

In alphabetical order

Carl Stevens, Radio Reporter, WBZ (Panel Moderator)
Mike Bello, Deputy City Editor, The Boston Globe
Curt Brown, Crime and Courts Reporter, New Bedford Standard Times
Patrick Cassidy, News Editor, Cape Cod Times
David Hurlburt, Executive Producer: Special Projects, 5 Investigates at WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Shira Schoenberg, Reporter, The Springfield Republican and MassLive.com

Planning Committee:

Supreme Judicial Court Justice David A. Lowy
Hon. Robert J. Cordy (ret.), Supreme Judicial Court
Superior Court Chief Justice Judith Fabricant
Boston Municipal Court Chief Justice Roberto Ronquillo, Jr.
Superior Court Judge Janet L. Sanders
District Court Judge Randy S. Chapman
Katelyn Draper, Assistant Clerk, Essex County
Rachelle Cohen, Assistant Editorial Page Editor, The Boston Globe
David Hurlburt, Executive Producer: Special Projects, 5 Investigates, WCVB Channel 5 Boston
Patrick Cassidy, News Editor, Cape Cod Times
Shira Schoenberg, Reporter, The Springfield Republican and MassLive.com
Melissa Nawrocki, Flaschner Judicial Institute
Betsy Vander Voort, Flaschner Judicial Institute
Jennifer Donahue, Public Information Office, Supreme Judicial Court
Erika Gully-Santiago, Public Information Office, Supreme Judicial Court
Kathleen Capstick, Public Information Office, Supreme Judicial Court