AAA 2012 *roundtable* -- Professional divides: Journalists & anthropologists discuss language, representation, news practice, social impact

[Colleen Cotter]

Hello, all ~

After informal discussion with the Language and Social Justice  
Committee, I have been organizing a roundtable to bring journalists  
and linguistic anthropologists together to talk about language and  
social issues, the role of the news media as a help or a hindrance,  
and the extent to which academia can impact journalism practice,  
particularly with respect to vulnerable communities. The ongoing  
problematic use of terms of reference -- for immigrants, for example  
-- is one such case. The recent Trayvon Martin 911 transcript ?edit?  
is another.

The three Bay Area journalists, who come with a range of backgrounds,  
histories, and perspectives, will participate, in effect, as our  
ethnographic informants. Unlike the standard panel format, there will  
be opportunities for the audience to engage as well.

**My question**: Is there anyone -- whose research (ideally US-based)  
involves social-justice or community issues, media representation, or  
newsroom ethnography -- who does not have a primary role in the  
upcoming meeting, who would like to be officially part of the  
roundtable? Influence the discussion?

The three journalists won?t be listed on the program (as the $383  
non-member registration is a bit much for a 1.75-hour favor to us).  
Because of that, there?s space for more participants.

No need to provide an abstract in this ?presenter? role. Just contact  
me: c.m.cotter at qmul.ac.uk. (NB: A roundtable "presenter" is a primary  
role.)

The roundtable title is: Professional divides: Journalists and  
anthropologists in conversation about language, representation, news  
practice, and social impact.

Thank you!
Colleen

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Colleen Cotter
Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor)
Linguistics Department
School of Languages, Linguistics and Film
Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
London E1 4NS
UK
Email: c.m.cotter at qmul.ac.uk
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