By Stephanie Zucarelli
Opening day two of Media Party Chicago is Maggie Farley, Senior Director of Innovation, and the ICFJ Knight Fellowships. With the mission of cultivating a global culture of news experimentation, Farley also spearheads initiatives like the Leap Innovation Lab and supports Solutions Challenges, fellowships, and hackathons as the one being celebrated on the last day of MPC.
One of Farley’s core beliefs is that great ideas can emerge from anywhere, irrespective of geographical boundaries. Having traveled extensively as a reporter, she has witnessed firsthand how innovative practices can be found in the most unexpected places. As the director of ICFJ’s flagship Knight Fellowships, she actively seeks out journalists with groundbreaking ideas that can revolutionize the way news are being reported.
As a journalist herself, she emphasizes that innovation is not solely tied to shiny new technologies: they can manifest as different perspectives on traditional journalistic practices, building networks of professionals from around the world, and sharing techniques from interdisciplinary teams.
Her extensive background as a foreign correspondent for the Los Angeles Times, an adjunct professor at American University, and a Google News Initiative Teaching Fellow bolsters her understanding of journalistic innovation. Farley possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in investigative reporting, community engagement, combating misinformation, and leveraging technology tools for compelling storytelling.
With her current position as the Senior Director of Innovation and the ICFJ Knight Fellowships, Farley continues to make significant strides in driving journalistic innovation worldwide. Her ideas and projects within the ICFJ Leap Innovation Lab and Knight Fellowships foster an environment that incubates and accelerates transformative ideas, propelling the field of journalism into a new era.
Don’t miss day two of Media Party Chicago! More info at mediaparty.org.
