A conversation on international media and politics with the fall 2015 Joan Shorenstein Fellows: David Ensor, former director of Voice of America, Marie Sanz, Lima, Peru bureau chief, AFP, and Paul Wood, foreign correspondent, BBC. The panel discussion focused on the November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris, as well the fellows’ work at the Center. The fellows discussed the media’s role in using soft power to counter extremism, and the accuracy of common media narratives about ISIS. There was also discussion of the international refugee crisis, and U.S.-Cuba relations. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on November 17, 2015, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Former fellow and TV news producer Richard N. Kaplan returned to the Shorenstein Center to discuss the 2016 election, including the debates and the role of the media, and the need for serious journalism. Kaplan has worked for CBS, ABC, CNN and MSNBC, and served as executive producer for Walter Cronkite, Peter Jennings, Ted Koppel, Diane Sawyer, Katie Couric, and Christiane Amanpour. He recently served as creative consultant on Aaron Sorkin’s HBO show "The Newsroom." Kaplan also discussed Brian Williams’ reentry into the news, presidential candidates' appearances on "Saturday Night Live," news values and ethics, international reporting, and his involvement as a consultant to "The Newsroom." This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on November 10, 2015, at Harvard Kennedy School. 

Marvin Kalb, Shorenstein Center founding director and former moderator of "Meet the Press," discussed the current relationship between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S., placing the situation within a larger historical context. Kalb also spoke more about U.S. diplomacy and military actions, Russia-China relations, Putin’s advisors, and sanctions. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on November 4, 2015, at Harvard Kennedy School.

Maria Sacchetti, who covers immigration for The Boston Globe, shared her experience reporting on the international refugee crisis in Europe, and discussed the importance of local coverage of international stories. Sacchetti traveled to the Greek island of Lesbos to report on the refugees as they arrived onshore. She gives an account of her travels north to Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Germany, following the path of refugees and telling their stories in a recent Boston Globe series. This Shorenstein Center Speaker Series event was recorded on November 3, 2015, at Harvard Kennedy School.