On Oct. 17, SUNY Oswego’s School of Communication, Media and the Arts hosted the 14th Annual Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit. Founded in 2005 by Louis A. Borrelli Jr. ’77 and renamed by Borrelli and Al Roker ’76 through a generous gift in 2007 in honor of their mentor, the day-long event welcomed media professionals to campus to discuss timely issues in today’s society, as well as connect with current students and offer advice on how to be active media consumers. This year’s panel discussion, “Viral Voices: Advocacy in the Digital Age,” focused on the various ways in which social media sites have become platforms for launching movements and creating change. The event was moderated by SUNY Oswego alumnus Asa Stackel ’12, a news anchor at News Channel 13 in Albany, N.Y., and included panelists Brandi Boatner, social and influencer communications lead for global markets for IBM Corporate Communications in New York City; Gina Iliev, health equity coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York; Dr. Latoya Lee, assistant professor of sociology at SUNY Oswego; and Jeff Knauss ’07, co-founder of Digital Hyve in Syracuse, N.Y. In recent years, social media sites like Facebook and Twitter have been used to facilitate important discussions about pressing social topics. The panelists agreed that digital advocacy—using social platforms to mobilize and ultimately engage in political advocacy—is something that everyone can and should participate in, including Oswego students. “These conversations are already happening,” Iliev said. Movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, #MeToo, #WhyIStayed and #WhyILeft are testaments to the power that social media has in allowing communities of people to communicate with one another, give victims of abuse and marginalization a voice and advocate for real political and social change. The panelists noted that while social media fuels important conversation, action needs to take place in order to see real change. Dr. Lee noted how many social media users become “slacktivists,” meaning they simply advocate for change on social media but do not take action in the real world. “Action is still required and we need the digital and paper to meet at some point,” Iliev said. “We still need all of you to sign that paper.” Digital activism must be accompanied by voting and other legislative responses in order to create change. Taking to social media, however, is an important first step. “I don’t think you students realize the power you have. You are digital natives and you need to exercise that power on a day-to-day basis,” concluded Boatner. “We are at a bad time in society, but you can make a difference.” A difference, she said, that can be made possible with the click of a button.
PHOTO CAPTIONS: Photo 1 - The Media Summit professionals, from left: Asa Stackel ’12, a news anchor at News Channel 13 in Albany, N.Y.; Brandi Boatner, social and influencer communications lead for global markets for IBM Corporate Communications in New York City; Gina Iliev, health equity coordinator for Planned Parenthood of Central and Western New York; Jeff Knauss ’07, co-founder of Digital Hyve in Syracuse, N.Y.; and Dr. Latoya Lee, assistant professor of sociology at SUNY Oswego. Photo 2- Asa Stackel ’12, a news anchor at News Channel 13 in Albany, N.Y., was moderator. Photo 3 - Panelist Jeff Knauss ’07, co-founder of Digital Hyve in Syracuse, N.Y.
-Selena Pappas ’20