By Isabella Figueroa Nogueira

Award-winning journalist Susan Goldberg, the president and CEO of GBH and former editor-in-chief of National Geographic, returned to the MSU campus to speak with students, faculty and community members at the Neal Shine Ethics Lecture.

Goldberg’s visit was part of the Knight Center for Environmental Journalism’s commemoration of the 30th anniversary of environmental journalism at MSU.

Her talk at the WKAR TV studio focused on the power of storytelling and the responsibility journalists have to deliver accurate, meaningful information to the public.

“There is nothing more important than telling accurate, important, timely stories that shine a light into dark corners so problems can be fixed,” Goldberg told the audience.

The annual lecture honors the legacy of Neal Shine, a former publisher and editor of the Detroit Free Press who championed ethical journalism and public service reporting.

Goldberg’s talk, “Storytelling that Matters,” centered on how journalists can better communicate complicated issues such as science and climate change. She outlined principles for effective storytelling, including finding ways to make audiences care, sparking curiosity and focusing on solutions instead of only highlighting problems.

“If you’re telling a science story, you really have to figure out how to touch people’s hearts,” Goldberg said.

For many students in attendance, the lecture reinforced the idea that journalism is about more than simply gathering information.

Carly Carter, a junior journalism major, said the event helped her think more deeply about how journalists communicate with audiences.

“The Neal Shine lecture was very important because it gave journalists a base understanding of how to connect with people and bring information to them in a way that suits them,” Carter said. “At the end of the day, journalism is only as much as what the people make of it.”

Carter said one of the biggest lessons she took away from Goldberg’s talk is the importance of presenting information clearly and meaningfully.

“It’s not just about getting information, but about conveying information,” Carter said.

The lecture also highlighted career possibilities for students hoping to work in journalism or media.

Goldberg, who graduated from MSU with a journalism degree, spoke about her early career and how the training she received at the university helped prepare her for reporting and editing roles at major news organizations, including the San Jose Mercury-News, Cleveland Plain Dealer and Bloomberg News.

For staff at WKAR, hosting the lecture created a chance for students to learn directly from someone who has shaped the field of journalism.

Megan Matier, the director of production at WKAR, said bringing accomplished alumni back to campus can motivate students as they prepare for their own careers.

“I think it’s important to hold space for people like Susan Goldberg to come into WKAR,” Matier said. “She’s an alumna of the college and of MSU, and she’s gone on to do really great things in journalism and media.”

Matier said the opportunity for students to hear from a leader in the industry helps them imagine their own futures.

“It’s an opportunity for her to come in and speak to the next generation about what they can do with their futures,” Matier said. “She’s a great example of success.”

As the lecture concluded, Goldberg reminded students that even as journalism evolves with new technologies and challenges, the core mission remains the same.

“Seek the truth and publish it,” Goldberg said. “That is the single most important thing that we can do.”