USA Today columnist Walter Shapiro will be speak at the Dole Institute of Politics at 4 p.m. Thursday. The event, hosted by former Missouri Congresswoman Karen McCarthy, is free and open to the public.

Shapiro writes “Hype and Glory” for USA Today.

He has been a presidential speech writer for the Carter administration and press secretary to Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall. From 1987-93, he was a senior writer for Time magazine specializing in government and politics.

He will discuss the role of journalists, historically and currently, in covering policy makers in the legislative process and how the press affects public opinion and public policy.

For information, call the Dole Institute at 864-4900.