Luis Clemens, senior editor for diversity at National Public Radio, will deliver a public lecture on the challenges of practicing journalism in the era of “fake news” and attacks on the press. Clemens will present “Facts, Freedoms, and the Pursuit of Journalism” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, in the Reading Room of Drake’s Cowles Library, 2725 University Ave. The event is free and open to the public.
Clemens works across the NPR newsroom to build a broad foundation of diverse experts and sources in order to enhance NPR’s news coverage. In this position, he serves as part of NPR’s Diversity team and is active partner in training initiatives at NPR and across public radio—helping to strengthen local coverage by expanding the range of content, sources, ideas and expertise.
Before joining NPR in 2010, Clemens was a frequent guest on NPR’s programs. He began his career in journalism at the local Telemundo and NBC television stations in Miami. In 1993, he began working at CNN as an assignment editor. Three years later he was promoted to Buenos Aires bureau chief. Following CNN, he was a spokesperson for the United Nations World Food Programme in Zimbabwe.
Clemens will also meet with Drake journalism students while on campus. His visit to Drake is sponsored by the Drake School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the E.T. Meredith Center for Magazine Studies and the Slay Fund for Social Justice.