“Justice for Journalists” was the theme of the 2023 J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium April 12-13. The event was open to the public both in-person and via video conferencing celebrating its 18th year in the College of Arts and Sciences. The symposium featured panels of journalists bringing to light national issues impacting treatment of journalists. It is the first symposium without Taylor’s presence. He passed away in February.
“This year’s theme of ‘Justice for Journalists’ honors journalists for keeping us informed, providing an outlet for our voices, and functioning as a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Spencer Herrera, chair of the symposium and NMSU Spanish professor. “Their work is essential to social justice, and we invite the community to learn more about journalism in the borderlands region.”
“Justice for Journalists” began April 12 with a welcome and introductions by Herrera followed by the first panel of journalists, who discussed challenges facing journalists in the border region A screening of the documentary “Endangered” followed the panel discussion. After the film, Molly Molloy and Héctor Iglesias engaged in a question-and-answer session with participants.
Day two of the symposium began with a welcome and tribute to J. Paul Taylor’s life with a presentation of a plaque to his family in gratitude for his leadership and support for the symposium over 17 years.
After Taylor’s tribute, Neil Harvey, government professor and department head, presented the annual Social Justice Awards.
Bertha Bermúdez Tapia, an assistant professor in the NMSU Department of Sociology, and Haleigh Haven, an NMSU graduate student enrolled in the Masters of Public Administration program, received the 2023 Social Justice Awards.
“Dr. Bermúdez Tapia has conducted research at migrant camps and shelters in the Mexican border cities of Reynosa and Matamoros,” said Neil Harvey, government professor and department head who coordinates the award. “This work led her to move from scholarly analysis to action for social justice, including advocacy for the rights of asylum seekers and the procurement and distribution of donations such as mattresses for pregnant women, food, clothing, blankets and tents.”
Haven was nominated by fellow graduate student Tobias Murphy, who praised Haven’s commitment to social justice. She is among the first students to be trained as a peer mental health ambassador in a program started with the goal to advocate for mental health awareness for students on campus at NMSU. In addition, Haven serves as an executive officer in the Save the Children Action Network in which she lobbied for higher quality in early learning and education, and also organized food drives and fundraising to address the needs of underprivileged children.
The final panel of the symposium included a wide-ranging discussion about “The Future of Journalism.” The symposium wrapped up with a talk from Keynote speaker Katherine Corcoran, author of “In the Mouth of the Wolf: A Murder, a Cover-Up, and the True Cost of Silencing the Press.”
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