Even before the dust settled on sexual harassment allegations against Mayor Bob Filner, the media and local political leaders were criticized for not warning voters about the mayor’s alleged behavior.

Former Assemblywoman Lori Saldana said she “blew the whistle on this two years ago to the Democratic Party leadership,” and former KUSI reporter Doug Curlee recently wrote the San Diego news media failed because we “pretty much knew who and what Bob Filner is and has been.”
Did San Diego media drop the ball? Could our coverage of the mayor, both before and after allegations were revealed, have been better?

Our esteemed panel of veteran journalists and political insiders will discuss the issue. Please join us.

Who:
Mitch Blacher, investigative reporter, 10 News

Ryan Clumpner, former Carl DeMaio campaign manager

Kelly Davis, associated editor, CityBeat

Liam Dillon, government reporter, Voice of San Diego

Craig Gustafson, City Hall reporter, U-T San Diego

Lorie Hearn, executive director, inewsource

Darren Pudgil, former press secretary for Jerry Sanders

Moderator: Claire Trageser, KPBS

With possible special guest. (Not the mayor. We don’t think.)

When: Weds., August 14, for reception at 6 p.m. and panel discussion from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Downstairs conference room at KPBS Studios, 5200 Campanile Dr., San Diego 92182. Enter through the lobby and head to the room on the right. Park on the street or in Parking Structure 5 at the corner of 55th and Hardy Ave (https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/map/display.cgi?new_loc_id=1307). Note: you’ll have to pay for parking, or you can risk it and park in the faculty lot, Parking Structure 2, on Hardy Ave (https://sunspot.sdsu.edu/map/display.cgi?new_loc_id=1086). Campus parking rarely checks for permits after 5 pm.