Recently, award-winning journalist and Morehouse College professor Nicole Carr spoke at NABJ’s 50th Annual Convention, sharing insights on covering civil cases that shape communities.
Titled “Beyond the Verdict: Covering Civil Cases That Shape Communities,” the session brought together an accomplished group of panelists, including Ernie Suggs of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, media commentator Tiffany Cross, and legal experts from Witherspoon Law Group. Together, they explored the complexities of reporting on civil litigation and its profound influence on communities.
For journalists, Carr emphasized the importance of thoughtful framing in storytelling—urging reporters to look beyond courtroom outcomes and examine how civil cases can open pathways to smarter enterprise reporting. She discussed how these cases often hold overlooked narratives, offering opportunities to ask sharper questions and uncover deeper community truths.
NABJ50 served as a powerful platform for advancing the conversation on how journalists can responsibly and creatively cover legal issues that matter most to their audiences. Through her teaching and professional work, Professor Carr continues to prepare the next generation of storytellers to navigate these challenging and essential topics with integrity and insight.