Cal Poly Journalism & CalMatters present

2023 Festival of Journalism

October 26-27, 2023

Honoring alumni and friends and exploring the topic of trust in the media while delving into critical issues confronting SLO County and the state.

RSVP

Documentary Screening

Breaking the News

This film documents the honest discussions at The 19th*, a Texas-based digital news start-up around race, gender, and identity equity, revealing that change doesn’t come easy. Read more on IMDB.

CalMatters Live Panel

Journalists from the nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization CalMatters will explore solutions to homelessness and affordable housing with local thought leaders and officials. "These gatherings allow us to deliver live journalism, with real-time conversations that dig into California’s most important issues to explore solutions." Learn more here.

Jim Hayes Symposium

American's trust in the news media is near an all-time low and deeply divided along partisan lines. What can journalists do to restore faith in honest, fair and accurate reporting? These are the questions we'll tackle in this year's Jim Hayes Symposium. Read more here.

Hall of Fame Gala

The journalism department will induct eight new members into the Hall of Fame, created to honor those who have made significant contributions to the department and its student media organizations or those who have used their student media experience to launch successful careers. Click here to see the current slate of honorees.

Network with media professionals and alumni and meet current students and faculty – all while examining the contributions of today’s journalists.

The most recent Jim Hayes Symposium explored challenges confronting journalism.

Jim Hayes Symposium Panel

Moderator: David Kerley

Emilio Garcia Ruiz

Editor-in-chief, San Francisco Chronicle

Carolyn McGourty Supple

Head of public affairs, Google Public Sector

Katerina Eva Matsa

Director of news and information, Pew Research Center

Neil Chase

Chief Executive Officer, CalMatters

Kate Sosin

LGBTQ+ reporter, The 19th

David Kerley

Owner, Full Throttle Newsletter; Former ABC News correspondent

Festival Venues

Breaking the News - Live Film Screening

Palm Theatre

San Luis Obispo, CA

Join us at San Luis Obispo's favorite independent movie theatre for a screening of 'The 19th*' –a film about a Texas-based digital news start-up taking on questions about race, gender, and identity equity. Network with filmmakers and CalMatters journalists following the screening!

Free and open to the public (parking fees may apply).

Expert Panel Discussions

Advanced Technology Laboratories

California Polytechnic State University

The CalMatters Live panel and Jim Hayes Symposium will be held on the Cal Poly campus at the Advanced Technology Lab on Friday, October 27.

Both events are free and open to the public. Guest parking pass is required on Cal Poly campus (parking information).

Hall of Fame Ceremony & Gala Dinner

Embassy Suites Hotel