030909_MediaSymposiumtrue1334586686108acckfpUniversity Relations, Press Release, Dr. Neal Baer, School of Communication, Symposium On Media and Social ChangeHofstra University Cultural Center and the School of Communication present a one-day symposium on “Media and Social Change: Using Entertainment Education to Improve the Outcomes of Health and Social Issues of Women” on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 8:30 a.m.- 4 p.m.030909_MediaSymposium/Hofstra_Main_Site/Home/News/PressReleases/Archive/030909_MediaSymposiumprplac1236612399875prplac1236612400031Press Release Sub TitleMedia and Social Change: Using Entertainment Education To Improve the Outcomes of Health and Social Issues of Women Press Release TitleHofstra Presents a Symposium On Media and Social Change Featuring Dr. Neal Baer, Executive Producer of Law & Order: SVU Press Release Date2009/03/09Lindsey CalabreseUniversity Relations202 Hofstra Hall516-463-4687516-463-5146Lindsey.Calabrese@hofstra.edu//Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY –Hofstra University Cultural Center and the School of Communication present a one-day symposium on “Media and Social Change: Using Entertainment Education  to Improve the Outcomes of Health and Social Issues of Women” on Thursday, March 26, 2009 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

The symposium will examine how radio and television entertainment is being used to tap into the power of storytelling to improve social and health outcomes. The day will consist of presentations from producers, conceptualizers, and researchers, who are at work in the United States and around the world changing attitudes and behavior that affect the way millions confront women’s issues in such areas as health, violence, and HIV/AIDS. The presentations will dramatically illustrate why this methodology works and how it is now beginning to be adapted by governments around the world.

The first panel will discuss how to properly integrate an issue into a network TV series. Panelists from ABC-TV’s One Life To Live will discuss their 38-week story line involving teen pregnancy. The panelists will include Executive Producer of One Life To Live Frank Valentini, Vice President of Programming for ABC-TV Sue Johnson, One Life To Live actress Kristen Alderson as well as Director of Entertainment and Audience Strategy, National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy Amy Kramer.

The keynote speaker is Neal Baer, M.D., Executive Producer of Law & Order: SVU. Dr. Baer will discuss “Telling Stories While Keeping Ratings High – The Creative Challenge” by examining how the challenges facing the creative teams are worked out in a way that ensures high ratings while dealing with serious issues. Prior to his work on Law & Order: SVU, Dr. Baer was an executive producer and writer for the NBC drama ER and has also worked in South Africa and Mozambique since 2006, teaching photography to mothers with HIV and to orphans with AIDS so that they can tell the world their own stories. He has published numerous articles regarding health and the depiction of health and healthcare providers on television.

After Dr. Baer’s discussion, a second panel will discuss “Using Radio and Other Technologies to Entertain and Change Behavior Around the World”. Panelists, including Bill Ryerson, president of The Population Media Center (PMC); PMC Director of Research Scott Connolly; and University of Texas Professor of Communication Arvind Singhal, will examine how radio is used in those countries where the penetration of TV is not yet widespread and how it affects behavior.

To register and for more information on this symposium please visit http://www.hofstra.edu/Community/culctr/culctr_events_media_for_social_change.html .

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 145 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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