Inside the News Room: Berkeley College Hosts NPR Journalists to Discuss Media Ethics, Career Pathways, and the Future of Journalism in the Age of AI

Photo Caption (L to R): Danielle Sonnenberg, PhD, Professor, Social Sciences and Media Communications, Berkeley College Division of General Education, moderates a discussion with Tony Cavin, Managing Editor for Standards and Practices, NPR, and George Bodarky, a member of the NPR Training team, during "How is the News Really Made?" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City.

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Students gained an inside look at the evolving world of journalism - from career pathways and media ethics to the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the future of news - during "How is the News Really Made?," a conversation with NPR journalists, on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City.

Tony Cavin, Managing Editor for Standards and Practices, NPR, and George Bodarky, a member of the NPR Training team, shared lessons learned from decades in the newsroom with students pursuing degrees in Media Communications, Business, and other disciplines.

"I think it is an enormous privilege to be able to communicate information to communities - to help keep people informed and to tell stories," Bodarky said.

Cavin discussed the rigorous standards followed by journalists and editors when reporting on sensitive or polarizing issues.

"If you call someone a terrorist or if you call them a freedom fighter, you are telling us how you see this event," he said. "It is very important to find the language that is as neutral as possible and to make sure you are covering the various sides."

The speakers encouraged students to be discerning consumers of a wide range of news sources, emphasizing the importance of questioning the origin and credibility of information - especially in an era of AI, where convincing audio and video content can easily be created.

"AI is a tool - it is not a replacement for people," Cavin said. "Because it is built by people, it includes the biases of the people who built it."

The speakers also encouraged students interested in working as reporters to venture into their communities to develop sources and earn trust.

"You have to do it to learn it," Bodarky said. "My newsroom was never just a newsroom - it was one part newsroom and one part classroom. Because we are always learning every single day. I think that is true of even seasoned journalists."

"The event gave me a deeper understanding of how news is produced and the decisions journalists make behind the scenes," said Cornelia Meurling of Manhattan, NY, a Berkeley College student who attended the event as part of an "Introduction to Ethics" course. "I found it especially valuable to hear from professionals about the importance of accuracy, sourcing, and maintaining integrity in a fast-paced media environment. As both a student and a news consumer, these insights reminded me not only how essential it is to stay informed, but also to approach news with a critical mindset and be aware of how stories are shaped."

The Berkeley College Bachelor of Science in Media Communications program provides an innovative curriculum with a focus on the critical aspects of verbal communication, written communication, and visual communication. The degree offers concentrations in Digital and Social Media and Social and Cultural Responsibility.

The event was organized by the Berkeley College Library, in collaboration with the College's Division of General Education and was moderated by Danielle Sonnenberg, PhD, Professor, Social Sciences and Media Communications, Berkeley College Division of General Education.

"I hope that by seeing how news is constructed, our students will learn to critically evaluate sources and credibility, recognize bias, and understand why different outlets report stories differently," said Laurie McFadden, Senior Director, Berkeley College Library. "Understanding how news is made helps consumers think more critically and stay genuinely informed."

Photo Caption (L to R): Laurie McFadden, Senior Director, Berkeley College Library; Danielle Sonnenberg, PhD, Professor, Social Sciences and Media Communications, Berkeley College Division of General Education; Tony Cavin, Managing Editor for Standards and Practices, NPR; George Bodarky, a member of the NPR Training team; and Lily Chin, Reference/Instruction Librarian, Berkeley College, during "How is the News Really Made?" on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Berkeley College in New York City.

About Berkeley College

Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master's, Bachelor's, and Associate's degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.

Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor's Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans for 13 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2026 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.

The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.

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