49th ABS Annual Conference: Full Schedule

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9:00am MDT

Less Passion, More Precision: Bahá'u'lláh's Blueprint for an Effective News Media

Saturday August 2, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am MDT

In an era of deepening political polarization and extreme partisanship, journalism is in crisis. Some argue that journalists must adopt the role of a “resistance” against illiberalism. In contrast, others demand a rejection of elites who use “progressive” media framing to perpetuate a toxic cultural agenda. The place of fact-based journalism—objectivity—is now the field's most pressing debate. The sacred writings of the Baha’i Faith address these issues by offering a new tenet for journalists, one that outlines both the mission of news gathering and the motivations behind reporting. Exploring these passages may provide a roadmap for how journalism can serve humanity's best interests.

Speakers

Murray Oliver

Murray Oliver is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience in documentaries, investigative reporting, and daily news—including nearly a decade as a network foreign correspondent in Africa and the Middle East. Today, he teaches media and politics at Brandon University... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 9:00am - 10:15am MDT
TBA

Media, Breakout

10:30am MDT

Beyond Cellphone Bans: Young People Learning to Interact Meaningfully with Media

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

Banning cell phones may be a good first step, but we can’t stop there. Join this interactive workshop to explore and apply practical strategies for empowering young people to self-regulate their use of media technology. Discover the transformative power of virtues like patience, moderation, and responsibility as guiding principles for navigating media such as video games, AI, social media, news, and movies. Drawing on their experience as media practitioners and their work implementing these concepts in schools and junior youth groups, the presenters will introduce participants to an emerging media literacy curriculum and invite them to share their insights.

Speakers

Nwandi Lawson

As the Curriculum Designer for Shiny Gems (shinygems.org), Nwandi is an educator and consultant specializing in media production and communications, with experience creating programming, strategies, and campaigns for broadcasters, nonprofits, schools, and government agencies.

Daniel Rinaldi

As the Executive Director for Shiny Gems (shinygems.org), Daniel has over 10 years of experience in multimedia production and education across the Americas, including his native Colombia. With a background in journalism, he’s led media literacy workshops for middle schoolers and... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

Media, Breakout

10:30am MDT

Skepticism, Sources of Information, and the Pursuit of Truth

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT

TBA

The independent investigation of truth is a core principle of the Bahai Faith. This principle is opposed by Fifth Generation Warfare, i.e., the manipulation of information to divide, inflame, and set individuals and groups against one another. Remaining skeptical and neutral while pursuing truth, basing our opinions on evidence, is indispensable for navigating this Information Age that we’re living through. Otherwise, we are easily misled, and even distracted from our primary objectives. Today’s sophisticated practices of information curation and propaganda require that we equip ourselves for intellectual self-defense, lest we become indoctrinated by the narrative of the moment.

Speakers

Mehrtash Olson

I have been investigating various current events, observing their effects, researching their origins, attempting to gain more perspective in order to better contend with the issues involved. Through this process, I have discovered the benefit of employing a posture of neutrality... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 10:30am - 11:45am MDT
TBA

Media, Breakout

2:00pm MDT

Leveraging Media to Amplify Positive Conversations and Drive Change

Saturday August 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT

TBA

In today’s interconnected world, the media plays a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and societal change. This presentation explores the critical need for socially conscious companies to lead the media landscape, focusing on amplifying voices that deserve attention and recognition. Drawing from years of experience at the BWC and the Office of Media and Technologies, we will highlight the power of media in fostering inclusive, diverse, and complex conversations. By sharing our insights on how to navigate these discussions in online spaces, we aim to empower organizations to create impactful media strategies that contribute to positive messages.

Speakers

Gazalle Ardekani

Gazalle Ardekani is a media professional with over 14 years of experience specializing in social media and public relations. She has worked on a variety of corporate media projects, as well as socially conscious initiatives focused on discourse, such as the 239 Days in America project... Read More →

Altea DiGirolamo

Altea DiGirolamo is a creative director with over ten years of experience, including four years as a multimedia designer at the Baháʼí World Center’s Office of Media and Technologies. She deepened her cohesive identity as a designer, blending technical expertise with Bah... Read More →

Saturday August 2, 2025 2:00pm - 3:15pm MDT
TBA

Media, Breakout

49th ABS Annual Conference

9:00am MDT

Murray Oliver

10:30am MDT

Nwandi Lawson

Daniel Rinaldi

10:30am MDT

Mehrtash Olson

2:00pm MDT

Gazalle Ardekani

Altea DiGirolamo

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