Hanif on Media

Students are the best.

My answer to the “What are you doing these days?” question continues to be: Everything I can.

So what have I been up to? Way too busy. Working and studying hard. Conducting interviews for and/or writing recent or soon-to-appear freelance articles. Completing or researching other projects. Consulting. Networking. Giving thanks.

And speaking.

PBCC "Careers in Communication" panel

Speaking on National Public Radio regarding the Dunbar Village trials.

Speaking on local radio with “Brother Carl.”

Speaking with my friend and former Palm Beach Post colleague, the Rev. William Cooper, at the Palm Beach Planning Congress’ Third Annual Ethics Seminar.

Speaking with another good friend, Toward A More Perfect Union Executive Director  Jane Tierney, at Nova Southeastern University’s recent Diversity Summit 2009.

Also, speaking at Palm Beach Community College’s recent “Careers in Communication” event, encouraging students there to take charge of the future of journalism and media (which are not always the same thing).

From that event one student participant emailed this follow-up:

“Hi, I am writing an essay on the presentation at PBCC last week. What was the name of the thing that you’ve done longer than anyone else? And how long did you do it for?”

That would be the world’s longest-serving news ombudsman — more than 20 years for readers of The Palm Beach Post until my departure in August 2008.

And as we speak, so to speak, this just in: It has been confirmed that I also am to speak for several days next year on behalf of our international Organization of News Ombudsmen to share our experiences with journalists in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Speaking if which, I hope soon to share everything I can.