"Are Journalists Necessary?"

New York Times Columnist Maureen Dowd Talks About the Role of Journalism in a Democracy
11/16/05

New York Times Columnist Maureen Dowd Talks About the Role of Journalism in a Democracy

Event: In a play on the title of her latest book, "Are Men Necessary?," New York Times op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd discusses the role of journalism in a democratic society and her perspective on recent events that have shaken the journalism industry.

This free event is made possible by the Mary Alice Davis Distinguished Lectureship in The University of Texas School of Journalism and the Center for American History.

When: 6 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2005

Where: The LBJ Auditorium, 2315 Red River St.

Background: Maureen Dowd, winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for distinguished commentary, became a columnist on The New York Times op-ed page in 1995 after having served as a correspondent in the paper’s Washington bureau since 1986. She has covered four presidential campaigns and served as White House correspondent.

Established in early 2005 by her family, the Mary Alice Davis Distinguished Lectureship brings notable journalists to campus to discuss the role of journalism in society.  A columnist and editorial writer for the Austin American-Statesman, she was known as a remarkable writer who championed the role of journalism in democracy. After a 22-month battle with ovarian cancer Davis, a 1965 graduate of The University of Texas School of Journalism, died in 2004.