This conference brought several award-winning journalists, politicians, and sociologists to Pitzer College. Marilyn Lester ‘70, led the afternoon session by challenging the popular view that the news media objectively reports the news. She contended that newspapers create reality. Joining her on the panel were Eleanor Hoover, National Media Award winner; Laud Humphreys, professor of sociology at Pitzer and holder of the C. Wright Mills Award of the Society for the Study of Social Problems; Bob Simmons, Emmy award winning television writer; and Martin Weinberger, publisher of the Claremont Courier. Also on the panel was David Felton, associate editor of Rolling Stone magazine. The evening session was devoted to the question, "Does the public's infatuation with the private lives of public figures divert attention from issues of real consequence? Is the private life of a public figure tied to the performance of his public duties?" Guests were introduced by Robert H. Atwell, president of Pitzer College.

An article excerpting this conference appeared in the Winter 1977 issue of "The Participant," Pitzer College magazine.