EUGENE–Americans don’t like the news media and their view probably will never change, according to Daniel Schorr, senior news analyst for National Public Radio.

Schorr will share his thoughts on why the public holds the news media in such low regard in a Convocation address marking the formal opening ceremonies for the University of Oregon’s 2000-2001 academic year.

His free talk will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Ballroom of the Erb Memorial Union, 1222 E. 13th Ave. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

Schorr will begin his address, "Forgive Us Our Press Passes," after the centuries-old traditional procession of faculty in their academic regalia.

During his 50-year career in the media, Schorr has covered numerous national and international events. His coverage of governmental controversies range from Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s hearings on communism in 1953 to the Clinton impeachment hearings in 1998 and 1999. He has observed superpower summits from the Eisenhower-Khrushchev meeting in Geneva in 1955 to the Reagan-Gorbachev conference in Moscow in 1988.

For his ardent defense of the First Amendment, Schorr has received numerous professional awards, including three television Emmys and a Peabody Award for a "lifetime of uncompromising reporting of the highest integrity." He recently received the prestigious Alfred I. DuPont—Columbia University Golden Baton for "exceptional contributions to radio and television reporting and commentary." For his achievements, Schorr has been inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Schorr’s commentaries can be heard on "All things Considered" and "Weekend Edition" and during NPR’s live coverage of major news events.

A significant feature of the University of Oregon’s calendar, Convocation serves as the ceremonial beginning of the academic year. It provides an opportunity for faculty and staff members, students and friends to come together to focus on the university’s rich academic history and to celebrate collective accomplishments.

For more information, call (541) 346-5555.

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