Thursday, March 18, 2010

Houston Branch, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas • 1801 Allen Parkway

Reception 5-5:30 p.m.; meeting 5:30-6:30 p.m.

 

Layoffs and copy shrinkage have been common at the Houston Chronicle over the past decade, as readership has declined and financial resources have dwindled. The Chronicle is not alone: newspapers across the country have suffered this scourge, and some--such as the Cincinnati Post and the Rocky Mountain News, in business for 150 years--have shut down entirely. The role of the newspaper as an investigative medium appears to be threatened.

Historically, the Chronicle has planed an important role in the Houston community, time and again ferreting out the "story behind the story." One recent example: its examination of air quality conditions over the Houston Ship Channel and their implications for residents' health. The Chronicle's stories led to documentaries by PBS and CNN that became the groundwork to support former Mayor Bill White's innovative plan to abate air pollution. Were the Chronicle's fundamental role as a regional watchdog to disappear, Houstonians could be denied knowledge vital to their wellbeing.

What lies ahead for investigative journalism in an era of limited staff and resources? Loren Steffy, business columnist for the Chronicle, promises an enlightening perspective on how the paper will continue to provide the community the independent coverage it needs and still maintain the profitability demanded by its owner, Hearst Corporation. Steffy's column appears each week on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. He also writes a daily blog (http://blogs.chron.com/lorensteffy/) exploring business topics. He has appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, and the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.

Before joining the Chronicle in April 2004, Steffy served for 12 years as Texas bureau chief and a senior writer for Bloomberg News in Dallas. He covered a variety of business topics in Texas and across the country, including the collapse of Enron. His reporting has won several state and national awards, and his coverage of the collapse of Arthur Andersen was selected for the 2003 edition of "Best Business Stories of the Year." He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas A&M University.

Come and join us this month as TEDA/Houston explores the importance and future of independent journalism at a time when we most need it!

Free for TEDA/Houston members; $16 for guests. (Cash or check payable to TEDA/ Houston)

Register at teda@houston.org. Include your name, firm or organization, mailing address, phone, and email address. No cancellations after noon March 23  ♦  No-shows will be invoiced.

 

Advance registration is required to enter the facility. Law enforcement officers may not grant access to anyone who is not preregistered.

For directions to the Fed's free parking, click here.

For more information, email teda@houston.org.