(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- Seton Hall University’s Bateman Case Study Competition launched its public relations campaign for the News Literacy Project in February, which includes an array of activities including promoting the cause at the Prudential Center, hosting a discussion panel on diversity and news literacy and collaborating on a book drive with the Unified Vailsburg Services Organization (UVSO). 

The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan educational nonprofit organization that strives to build a national movement to make a more news literate country. Because news literacy is an integral part of American life, the News Literacy Project believes that teaching people from all backgrounds how to look for credible news empowers them. 

"We are excited for this year’s Bateman project,” said Kathryn Lancioni, Seton Hall faculty member and advisor to the Bateman team, “In today’s society, it is important for everyone understand how to interpret and evaluate the news on their own instead of looking to others to do it for them. Our hope is this year’s Bateman competition will educate and motivate individuals of all ages to understand the importance of being new literate.”

This year, the News Literacy Project will be the subject of public relations campaigns by students across the United States in the annual Bateman Case Study Competition. This competition encourages public relations students to apply their knowledge to a full-scale campaign that promotes the client the Public Relations Society of America chooses. 

Seton Hall’s Bateman team began their campaign with the launch of its Instagram account, @piratepressclub, which includes information about events, the importance of News Literacy and how the public can become more news literate. It will also include short reels with fellow students talking about what they know about the topic. 

On Feb. 8, the team tabled at a Seton Hall Men’s Basketball game against Creighton to engage Seton Hall students and fans. The members provided information and resources to ensure as many people as possible are looking at credible and accurate news. 

The following week on Feb. 15, the Bateman team members will host a panel discussion on the importance of news literacy for minorities working in a variety of fields. The News Literacy Project aims to get their information to minorities who are targeted by inaccurate news, and the panel is open to anyone.

Then, during the week of February 20, Seton Hall’s Bateman team will collaborate with UVSO on a book drive to promote practicing consuming and interpreting information. Any books will be accepted, and they can be brought to the UVSO Headquarters or Seton Hall University’s University Center. 

“I am overwhelmed with gratitude and very excited to know our students will have the opportunity to grow their home libraries,” Ellisa Clark-Rawls, UVSO’s Acting Director of Education.

Founded in 1967, the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is the foremost organization for students interested in public relations and communications. It advocates rigorous academic standards for public relations education, the highest ethical principles and diversity in the profession.