BLOOMINGTON – An award-winning and internationally recognized CNN journalist headlined the Arnolt Center for Investigative Journalism’s Feb. 10 symposium.

CNN senior national correspondent Sara Sidner delivered a keynote address in Presidents Hall in Franklin Hall at The Media School at Indiana University. Her remarks wrapped up an afternoon-long symposium featuring award-winning journalists from CNN, The New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, ESPN, the Invisible Institute and Gray Television.

“I am thrilled the Arnolt Center will bring some of the best investigative journalists in the country to the IU campus Feb. 10,” Arnolt Center Director Kathleen Johnston said. “Our mission here is to train the next generation of investigative journalists while shining a light on important issues affecting Hoosiers. This symposium – which we hope to host annually – gives all students and the public an opportunity to learn and interact with some of the best in our business.”

“We also invite faculty and staff across campus as well as the public to join us as we shine a spotlight on the importance of investigative reporting in our democracy,” she added.

Keynote speaker Sidner will soon launch her own daily news program – “The Big Picture” – on CNN+, the network’s new streaming platform.

Sidner began her career with CNN in India, where she headed coverage of South Asia, and during her first year there, she reported live during the deadly terrorist attack in Mumbai. In the Middle East, Sidner was part of the team that won a Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of the Arab Spring. Recently she helped lead the network’s coverage of the protests after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, as well as the coronavirus outbreak.

Two afternoon panels will include:

“Investigative Journalism in Sports,” featuring at 1:45 p.m.:

• Marisa Kwiatkowski, USA Today
• Steven Rich, Washington Post
• Tisha Thompson, ESPN
• Moderator: Erica Henry, CNN

“Investigative Journalism in a Polarized World,” featuring at 3:15 p.m.:

• Walt Bogdanich, New York Times
• Ellen Glover, Built In and the Invisible Project
• Tom Powell, NBC News Fort Wayne, A Gray Television station
• Moderator: Gerry Lanosga, IU Media School

The panels and keynote address were free and open to all students, faculty, staff, Indiana journalists and the general public.

Indiana University and a Monroe County public health order require people wear masks indoors. People are encouraged to observe social distancing requirements while inside Franklin Hall.

Full program details and speakers’ biographies will be available on the Arnolt Center’s website.

The symposium is sponsored by the Scripps-Howard Foundation, the Lumina Foundation, the Hoosier State Press Association, the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation, the Indiana Citizen, Gannett, the Indiana Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and Hutton Honors College and held in partnership with the Bloomington Press Club, Gray TV, the Indianapolis Press Club Foundation, the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Indiana Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and The Media School at Indiana University.

The nonprofit, nonpartisan Arnolt Center conducts multimedia investigative reporting on issues of importance to the residents of Indiana, including matters that reach beyond the state’s borders. The center’s work is available at no cost to local, regional and national news outlets and seeks to supplement their reporting at a time when many are losing newsroom staff.

Initially funded by a $6 million gift from alumnus Michael Arnolt, the center is editorially independent from Indiana University and The Media School.