The Saint Louis University community got a taste for how news is made from some of St. Louis’ most prominent media personalities on Tuesday, Jan. 30.

In the Anheuser Busch Auditorium, a panel discussion was held featuring Bill McClellan, a popular columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, interviewer and commentator Charles Jaco of KMOX radio, Collete Hogan, the president of Postnet.com, and Thomas Crone, the co-host of a radio talk show on KDHX.

The discussion was the first in the four-part St. Louis Speaker Series held by the Great Issues Committee. The focus of the first panel was both general media issues and media questions specific to the St. Louis area.

Tricia Fechter, chairperson of the Great Issues Committee, said, “The night was very successful. I was very pleased with the speakers’ willingness to participate and their grasp of the topics involved.”

The participants talked about a variety of issues, including the increasing corporate control of the media, bias in news outlets and careers in journalism. Each of the panelists condemned the sensationalism and oversimplification that categorize most contemporary news stories.

Jaco was especially outspoken about what he believes is the corruption of journalism. He thinks that the public should make the news outlets accountable by raising their expectations. “We pander to the cheap, sleazy, lowest common denominator for one simple reason: It sells,” Jaco said.

Brian Suda, the member of the Great Issues Committee who coordinated the event, was impressed by the quality of the discussion on the issues.

“I came away with very good insights and new ideas,” Suda said. “There were a lot of good questions asked.”

Fechter estimated that about 65 students, faculty and other St. Louis residents attended.

Suda said, “It was the first of four [events], so hopefully it will become a regular speaker series, and people can look forward to interacting regularly with members of the community.”

The next panel discussion will be held on Feb. 20 and will feature leaders from the St. Louis business community.