Making Media Connections is an annual conference where hundreds of community leaders, nonprofit executives, journalists, independent publishers and media relations experts gather to promote news that matters.  Listen in as media experts and the general public gather together to discuss getting communities’ important stories told.

The first keynote of the day, was presented by Renee Ferguson, an award-winning investigative reporter who brings more than 30 years of reporting experience to NBC5 News. She has covered major stories locally, nationally and internationally with insight and expertise. Ferguson has received some of the nation’s most prestigious journalism awards, including: the duPont Award, given by Columbia University in New York; the Goldsmith Award, given by the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard; the Gracie Award, given by American Women in Radio and TV in New York; and, most recently, the Associated Press Award for Best Investigative Reporting. She has received seven Chicago Emmys, reporting awards from The National Association of Black Journalists and its local Chicago chapter, and the Studs Terkel Lifetime Achievement Award.

Recorded Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Columbia College Film Row Cinema.