An online journalist will discuss political journalism on the Internet in today's world, concluding a week of campus visits by nationally renowned speakers.
Jonah Goldberg, a syndicated columnist and editor-at-large for National Review Online, will present "Online Political Journalism" at 7 tonight in the Varsity Theatre. The event is sponsored by Marquette Student Government.
"Not only does (Goldberg) bring knowledge that's imperative to this generation, he's a very young, conservative journalist, and also he works online which is something that we should relate to today because online sources have become so pertinent in our world," said MUSG Speakers Commissioner Keta Radich, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences.
MUSG was looking for another speaker to hold a lecture in the spring, and Radich said she was presented with the opportunity to bring him to campus.
"I think his topic not only is fascinating, but I think it will be intellectually stimulating for the rest of campus, that we can all learn something and take a little break from our studies," said Radich, who hopes many students will attend because of Goldberg's national credibility.
One of the biggest issues in the presentation will be the use of Weblogs, or blogs, and how their use has changed the face of media, according to Chris Hoff, College of Health Sciences senior and MUSG program vice president.
Goldberg's political views are very interesting, Radich said.
In February, MUSG sponsored a presentation by documentarian Eugene Jarecki, who was billed as nonpartisan but was considered by some to be liberal.
Radich said Goldberg was not brought to campus as "any sort of rebuttal to" Jarecki. Her job is to try and get in touch with every part of the Marquette campus, she said, and Goldberg "will appeal to a different facet of campus."
Hoff also said Goldberg's political stance is not a concern for MUSG.
"We try to bring in a wide variety of speakers and we don't necessarily pick speakers because of their political affiliations," Hoff said.
The speakers will hopefully interest students and give them an educational, along with an entertaining, experience, he said.
Jim Fowler, advertising manager of National Review Online, said in an e-mail that Goldberg is "a very funny guy."
"My dealings with him have always been pleasant," said Fowler, who does not work directly with Goldberg. "He is also one of NRO's greatest assets, and we are lucky to have him here."
Fowler also commented on the importance of online political journalism.
"It's safe to say that online journalism and commentary is rapidly becoming a critical tool in shaping political and social debates across the country and the world," he said.
William Thorn, an associate professor of journalism, also stressed the growing importance of online journalism in the political arena.
"Journalism online and politics online have changed the nature of political dialogue in the country," Thorn said.
Goldberg's role in journalism is very important, he said.
"News media are also technologically driven and what you're seeing in his work and the work of others is simply the latest evidence that technology drives news media," Thorn said.