SPJ to host panel on race, media and justice at Houston library

The Society of Professional Journalist Houston chapter invites you to attend our “Race, Justice and the Media” panel discussion at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 14, at the Houston Central Library in downtown Houston.

A panel comprised of legal scholars, community journalists and social commentators will discuss the various issues related to the trial of neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, a white Hispanic, who was acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of Trayvon Martin, a black Florida teenager. The case has once again exposed deep divisions among the American population on a wide range of issues including racial relations, Second Amendment rights and the definition of self-defense in criminal trials. It has also raised questions concerning media coverage and whether it is the role of the media to report the facts of a news story or to become an advocate for one individual or point of view.