The Burleigh Media Ethics Lecture at Marquette University is an annual public event hosted by the Diederich College of Communication and the O’Brien Fellowship in Public Service Journalism. Established in honor of William R. Burleigh — a 1957 Marquette journalism graduate and former CEO of E.W. Scripps — the lecture series explores urgent ethical questions facing journalists and media professionals. Each year, leading investigative reporters are invited to share work that challenges institutions, sparks dialogue about fairness and accountability, and examines how reporters can balance truth-telling with respect for those affected. The program underscores Marquette’s commitment to preparing journalists who engage critically with issues of power, race, and social responsibility.
This year’s lecture highlights an investigative series on U.S. Catholic-run Indian boarding schools that exposed widespread sexual abuse of Native American children. Washington Post reporters Dana Hedgpeth and Sari Horwitz, recipients of the Dori Maynard Justice Award, will present their 18-month reporting process and reflect on the moral decisions behind it. Their work confronts systemic silence and the legacy of colonial violence, raising pressing questions about how journalists handle historical trauma, interact with survivors, and navigate institutional resistance to transparency. The event invites students, faculty, and the public to engage with these ethical dilemmas through a moderated discussion and Q&A.
The 2025 lecture will be held in Alumni Memorial Union (AMU) Room 157, offering a central and accessible setting for campus and community members. By featuring projects like Hedgpeth and Horwitz’s, the Burleigh Lecture serves as both a showcase of exemplary investigative reporting and a forum for debate on media ethics in a rapidly changing digital environment, setting a high standard for justice-oriented, socially responsible journalism.
