Florida Natural Disaster and Journalism Summit

When hurricanes hit our state, Florida communities turn to local journalists for clarity. We know that storms are intensifying, the information system is increasingly fragmented, and both forecasting and emergency response look different than they did even a few years ago. These shifts have reshaped how information flows during natural disasters—placing new demands on Florida journalists. That’s why we’re bringing journalists together for the first-ever Florida Natural Disaster and Journalism Summit. The free convening will feature presentations by experts on forecasting, misinformation, and trust building and workshops that introduce you to new tools and techniques that you can take back to the newsroom. WHAT TO EXPECT A mix of panels, workshops, and presentations including: * The Effects of Climate Change on Weather Predictability, Impact, and Recovery * Social Media’s Role in Natural Disasters and the Misinformation Effect * Lessons from North Carolina Newsrooms on Collaboration during Hurricane Helene * How to Build Trust when Information is in Flux * Map your Community for a Stronger Information Response * Lessons in Partnership with Government from BEACON [https://www.jou.ufl.edu/2024/12/19/new-ai-driven-beacon-emergency-alert-system-debuts-at-public-media-station-wuft-fm/] and FPREN, the Florida Public Radio Emergency Network The summit begins with an evening reception on March 9th and continues with a full day of programming on March 10th. We'll release a full program in early 2026. Who should attend: This summit is designed for journalists and other newsroom leaders from across the state, although we welcome individuals from outside news who also play a role in their community’s disaster response. Registration is free and travel stipends are available. After you register for your ticket, you'll be prompted to fill out a short form. This is where you can indicate your interest in a stipend. Presented by Press Forward South Florida, Press Forward Tampa Bay, and the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications.