Reporting on Immigration: Both Sides of the Story

From travel bans, to border walls, from the refugee crisis to the DREAM Act,” immigration has been one of the most hotly reported stories of 2017.

With so much focus on this complex issue, how are people who consider themselves “immigrants” in the US, affected? How do reporters go into often unfamiliar communities to tell stories that are inclusive and impartial? Does the sheer volume of reporting on the topic communicate to an audience that Immigrant equals something negative?

WHYY and Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture invite the public to participate in cross-cultural dialogue and exchange (”tabadul” in Arabic) around issues related to immigration. We will bring together reporters and residents from the local immigrant community to discuss the ways in which reporting shapes how immigrants and immigration are viewed. We will ask immigrants what the impact on the community is when the media gets things wrong, and when they get it right. How do reporters gain trust and listen to the immigrant community? How can reporters and audience approach the issues to get an impartial view of the topic when there are so many moving parts?

We will also ask reporters and immigrants to tell personal stories of immigration reporting and we will ask the audience to be participants in listening and sharing opinions.

Date: Tuesday, December 5, 2017

Time: 5:30 – 7:30pm

Location: WHYY at 150 North 6th Street, Philadelphia

RSVP HERE