Stearns's topic: 'Media, Civic Engagement, Sustainability'

Josh Stearns of the national organization Free Press will discuss "Media, Civic Engagement and Sustainability" at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2, in Davis Auditorium, Palamountain Hall, at Skidmore College.

New battles are begin waged over who controls the media, and increasingly our phones, our laptops, and our TV's are political, says Stearns. He'll talk about how bloggers, journalists, and citizens are working to build healthier communities and a more robust democracy online, over the air, and in the streets.

Free Press is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization working to reform the media. Through education, organizing and advocacy, the group promotes diverse and independent media ownership, strong public media, quality journalism, and universal access to communications.

Stearns manages Free Press's journalism, public media, and media consolidation campaigns. He develops campaign strategy, outreach and organizing efforts and works with partner organizations on events and actions designed to amplify the voices of people and communities around the country. He also directs the Free Press internship and fellowship programs and speaks regularly about media policy and activism.

Stearns was a co-author of Saving the News: Toward a National Journalism Strategy, and writes regularly for the Free Press blogs. Before joining Free Press, he provided communications consulting for a range of nonprofit organizations, and served as a policy and communications associate for National Campus Compact.

Skidmore's Campus Sustainability Program and Office of Campus Life are sponsoring the Stearns talk.