Military Reporters & Editors Conference
Date
Friday
October 27, 2023
Location
Medill School of Journalism’s Washington Newsroom
1301 K Street, NW, Suite 200 West
Washington, DC 20005
Agenda for 2023 MRE Conference
8:00 – 8:55
Meet and Greet
Socialize and network. Complimentary coffee and bagels available.
8:55 – 9:00
Welcome
Opening remarks by MRE President Howard Altman
9:00 – 10:00
Covering Ukraine: The journalist’s perspective
Panel Discussion
- Alex Marquardt, Chief National Security Correspondent, CNN
- Vivian Salama, National Security Reporter, The Wall Street Journal
- Frank Langfitt, Global Democracy Correspondent, NPR
Moderated by Megan Eckstein, Defense News
10:00 – 10:15
Break
10:15 – 11:15
Public Affairs Officers
Panel Discussion
- Air Force: Col. Allen Herritage
- Army: Maj. Gen. John L. Rafferty, Jr.
- Joint Staff: Col. David Butler
- Navy: Capt. Tamara Lawrence
Moderated by Jen Judson, Defense News
11:15 – 11:30
Break
11:30 – 12:20
Keynote Address by Her Excellency Oksana Markarova
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States
Followed by Q&A, moderated by Carla Babb, VOA
12:20 – 1:00
Lunch
1:00 – 1:50
Conversation with Courtney Kube
National Security and Military Correspondent, NBC News
Interview with Carla Babb, VOA
1:50 – 2:00
Break
2:00 – 2:50
Covering Afghanistan: The Afghan journalist’s perspective
Panel Discussion
- Zaki Daryabi, founder and CEO, Afghan newspaper Etilaatroz
- Mohammad Taqi Daryabi, freelance filmmaker and video editor
- Sami Mahdi, Editor in Chief, Amu Television
Moderated by Howard Altman, The War Zone
2:50 – 3:00
Break
3:00 – 3:50
Keynote Address by General Eric M. Smith
Commandant of the Marine Corps
Followed by Q&A, moderated by Carla Babb, VOA
3:50 – 4:00
Break
4:00 – 4:50
Israel and Gaza: A Dialogue with Gen. Joseph L. Votel (Retired) via Zoom
Former Commander of U.S. CENTCOM and Distinguished Fellow at the Middle East Institute
Moderated by Howard Altman, The War Zone
4:50 – 5:00
Break
5:00 – 5:30
Military Reporters & Editors Awards Ceremony
2023 MRE Journalism Awards
Presented by MRE President Howard Altman
5:30 – 6:00
MRE’s MRE and Wine Tasting
Join us for a sampling of Meal(s), Ready to Eat and wine.
After Conference Option
7:30 p.m.
The Combat Correspondent’s Dinner
The dinner will be held at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20045. Prix Fixe Dinner $45 (not including drinks, taxes, tip). If you plan on going, please send an email to Jen Judson. Thank you.
Updated 10/24/23