BEA2025

In an era where smartphones have revolutionized storytelling, the Mojo Awards celebrate excellence in mobile journalism, which empowers more journalists to narrate stories from more corners of the globe. The awards recognize outstanding achievements across four categories:

• Mobile journalism
• Crisis reporting
• Documentary
• Rural voices

Winning Mojo films will be showcased at this event, demonstrating high quality work indistinguishable from traditional cameras, followed by a Q&A discussion.
Organized in association with Mobile Journalism Awards.

Join our 2025 Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship recipient for this year's podium session.

In this session, panelists will share their own success stories and strategies used to increase membership, events, etc. for their student BEA chapters on their small universities and colleges. Student BEA leaders will share what they have found to be helpful from an advisor perspective, what their student members enjoy, and what they are BEA student leaders wish to see more of in chapters on their campus and BEA-wide. This session will also serve as a brainstorming session for any and all chapter advisors and student leaders wishing to attend.
Moderator: Bruce Finklea, University of Montevallo
Panelists: Kaitlyn Harmony Wayne, University of Montevallo; Lakshmi N Tirumala, Drake University; Kaley Nacole Martin, University of Montevallo; Aaron Atkins, Weber State University

Each fall, Colllege Broadcasters Inc. (CBI) hosts the National Student Media Convention (NSMC), which attracts hundreds of students working in college radio and tv. This past October the NSMC was held in Seattle and included over 60 panels covering an incredible variety of topics from faculty advisors, staff, industry pros and students. What were some of the key takeaways from this event? In this session, three CBI board members will share their perspective on the lessons learned from this convention and how they can help you as you manage your own student media outlet.
Moderator: John W. Owens, University of Cincinnati
Panelists: Anabella Poland, CBI President, Montclair State University
Sean McDonald, CBI Treasurer, Neumann University
John W. Owens, CBI Vice President, University of Cincinnati

This panel explores the long history of manipulation in media, arguing that the techniques we associate with cutting-edge AI today have deep roots in the past. From the earliest days of photography and documentary film to modern deepfakes and Generative AI (GAI) content, media creators have continuously pushed the boundaries of reality, reshaping our perceptions of truth through visual and textual means. The panel will introduce a series of diverse case studies to connect past, present, and future, illustrating how unique a threat AI may be – technology that is not a tool but an agent of “truth.”

Moderator: Michael Bruce, University of Alabama
Panelists: Kathleen M. Ryan, University of Colorado Boulder
David Staton, University of Northern Colorado
Harold Vincent, Elon University
Mark Heisten, University of Colorado Boulder
Hal Vincent, Elon University

This workshop will demonstrate how to use voice-generated artificial intelligence to create high-quality audio content for both classroom and creative projects. Voice-generated A.I. has the power to:

- Create audio content without expensive microphones and recording studios.
- Bring to life dead historical figures and have them read their own words out loud, which can then be crafted into audio content.
- With permission, have famous historical figures give opening remarks to conferences dedicated in their honor.
- Translate podcasts and research into different languages for maximum reach.
- Add new voices to newscasts without the need of a large news teams.
- Help students create radio commercials, in their own voice, with no need to edit.
Moderator: Isaac Caputo, Bethune-Cookman University
Cloning Voices: Using voice-generated AI for classroom and creative projects

This panel will explore the transformative impact of Generative AI on college sports broadcasting, discussing both the opportunities, challenges and ethical implications it presents. The conversation also will examine the role of university leadership, particularly how administration can support and guide the program to ensure its success and sustainability in the rapidly evolving landscape of sports media.
Moderator: Jodeane Brownlee, University of Nebraska-Omaha
Panelists: Lance Liguez, University of Texas - Arlington; Suzy Smith, Ball State University; Michael Hilt, University of Nebraska-Omaha

“Defining the Documentary” is an ongoing series exploring issues concerning the documentary. Following a brief introduction, we will break into groups each with its own moderator, and discuss this topic—allowing all attendees to participate in the ongoing conversation to explore the use of AI in documentaries. Should it be used or not?
Moderators:
Julia Largent Kuttler, McPherson College
James E. Machado, MFA, Millersville University of Pennsylvania
Brent K. Simonds, Illinois State University
Tom Hallaq, Kansas State University
Ralph Beliveau, University of Oklahoma
Nick Geidner,  The University of Tennessee

This session will discuss the need for continued scholarly inquiry into the practical, theoretical, and ethical dimensions of AI integration in public relations and strategic communication, offering insights for future research directions and practical implications. AI technologies such as chatbots, predictive analytics, recommendation engines, and supply chain management are reshaping strategic communication practices, offering efficiency and automation in various tasks. Despite concerns about job displacement, AI presents opportunities for professionals to focus on strategic planning, human resource management, influential marketing communication, internal communication, or crisis communication. On the other hand, ethical considerations surrounding AI in public relations and strategic communication, including transparency, bias, and privacy, require careful attention to ensure responsible use.
Moderator: Jae-Hwa Shin, University of Southern Mississippi
Ethical Guidelines for Public Relations Practitioners Using AI; Chuqing Dong, Michigan state university
AI Ethics: Moving toward a Universal Paradigm; Shannon Bowen, University of South Carolina
The Impact of AI on Influencer Relations: Bridging Organizations and Online Communities; Guy Golan, Texas Christian University
How to Respond to Deepfake Videos and Potential Threats to Organizations; Andrea Hickerson, Ole Miss University
Ethical Considerations for Working with Influencers in the age of Artificial Intelligence; Brian G. Smith, University of Mississippi

As Al technology advances, Al-generated audio, video, and text have become an integral part of daily life. For these Al-generated videos, do audiences engage with them out of curiosity, the content's appeal, or due to difficulty in distinguishing the authenticity of the content? This study will explore the acceptance and cognition of Al-generated content among users in the United States and China through qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews, to fill the research gap in this emerging field.
Moderator: Man Luo, Bowling Green State University
Panelists: Man Luo, Bowling Green State University; Kelsey Lynn Zook, Bowling Green State University; Hyacinth Balediata Bangero, Bowling Green State University

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools are more than text generators, like ChatGPT or Gemini. They can be used for content creation, create assignments simulating real-world scenarios, provide tailored feedback on student work, streamline the grading process, assist in research, automate tasks, and motivate students to think outside the box while preparing them for their future careers. This informative and interactive workshop discusses the basic concepts of AI, examines AI tools and their applications, and discusses the ethical considerations, strengths and weaknesses of using AI tools.
Moderator: Mary E. Myers, Regent University
Robert Mott, Liberty University

In today's rapidly evolving educational landscape, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise for transforming traditional teaching methodologies. These presentations explore the groundbreaking concept of using state-of-the-art GPT models, powered by artificial intelligence, as an innovative tool for creating and supplementing course content. By leveraging the capabilities of AI, we can reimagine textbooks, enhance student engagement, and foster personalized learning experiences.
Moderator: Barth Cox, Pittsburg State University
Panelists: Adam Peruta, Syracuse University; Youngrak Park, Columbus State University; Christopher Clemens, San Francisco State University; Ray Caputo, Bethune-Cookman University; Barth Cox, Pittsburg State University

This panel discusses the use of AI tools, specifically text and image generators, in courses and course assignments. By incorporating AI tools into the classroom, professors can help students develop the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly AI-driven world. AI tools can be used to simulate real-world scenarios, preparing students for their future careers. it's essential to note that AI tools should be used thoughtfully and ethically. Professors should carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks, and ensure that they are used in a way that supports student learning and academic integrity. Yes, part of this abstract was created by Gemini.ai.
Moderator: Mary E. Myers, Regent University
Panelists: Heather Walters, Missouri State University; Rick Brunson, University of Central Florida;  Adam Peruta, Syracuse University

This panel will explore both the current state-of-the-art technologies such as: writing automation/algorithmic journalism, A.I. image (and moving video) creation, audience analysis/privacy, A.I. integrated into cameras and editing software, and emerging technologies. Panelists explore how these were anticipated in films and TV, books/novels, (from Lang's "Metropolis" to Spike Jones' "Her") and look farther back into history for examples of previous technologies that attempted to do the same. (e.g. the literal 'Mechanical Turk') The panel will also explore how journalism both created and debunked the overhype of these technologies.
Moderator: William Hanff, University of District of Columbia
Panelists: William Hanff, University of the District of Columbia; What’s Old is New, What’s New is Old
The presentation will explore the history of automation (from print typesetting to A.I. chatbots) in broadcasting and media. From this history it will confront the overhype of technology in reporting in the context of technological determinism/media archeology, famous tech news stories (or hoaxes), and the visual representation of automation/technology in TV and Film. It will also include a juxtaposition and exploration of how earlier imagination of technology impacted later designs, and case studies of current A.I. uses in media production and overhype by corporations and investigative journalism in debunking frauds and hype.

MJ Robinson, Brooklyn College/CUNY; Dear AI Autocorrect: I move your son mulch” or “How many Hal 9000’s does it take to change a lightbulb?”
This presentation uses some of the most storied and arguably funny autocorrect fails as a jumping off point for a consideration of how hype about AI’s language processing and learning has always outpaced its actual creative abilities – even and especially with the explosion of generative AI writing apps and the writing about AI writing apps. A historical consideration of the mechanical/computer-aided creative production of the creative industries and role that automata/computers have played in them will follow with a specific focus on the inability of generative AI to generate certain types of content – such as that which relies upon humor, double entendre, wordplay, context, complex metaphor or simile and the implications of this for the culture and media industries.

Nadine El Sayed, The American University in Cairo; n in Science Journalism and Indie Music Production
Science Journalism and Indie Music Production — both are known to have examples of "overhype" and both claim to be 'disrupted' by AI and automation --- and both will probably weather cultural changes pretty well, because of the care and individualization that goes into both well-produced music and well-communicated science research/journalism.

Generative AI offers innovative solutions for idea generation, news writing, and sentiment analysis. In this session, we will share best practices for using generative AI in the classroom and the newsroom. We will provide an overview of generative AI industry practices in newsrooms around the US, talk about how generative AI is used in classrooms, share assignment ideas, and provide updates on ethical considerations.
Moderator:
Iveta Imre, Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi
Panelists: Generative AI industry practices; Ernest Kung, AI Product Manager for The Associated Press
Generative AI in the classroom; Brad Conaway, Instructional Assistant Professor, University of Mississippi
Generative AI Ethics; Ivanka Pjesivac, Associate Professor, University of Georgia