Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs
What We're all about
Good government, good citizenship, a vibrant economy, and a healthy democracy depend on the quality of our public discourse.
Founded in 2000, the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs explores meaningful ways to enhance and elevate public discourse at the local, state, and national levels. The Center’s mission is to generate thoughtful dialogue, research, and programming about mass communication and its many-faceted relationships with public policy. The Reilly Center is committed to strengthening the Manship School's national leadership in media and public affairs, and to serving as an informational resource on issues important to the people of Louisiana.
Poll: Louisianans slightly less polarized, more interested in politics than nation
Respondents share strong desire for common ground, support for constitutional values
In August 2026, LSU’s Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) released findings from a statewide opinion poll that measures benchmarks of political polarization across Louisiana compared to national trends. The 2026 Louisiana Common Ground Survey, conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab, is part of the Reilly Center and PAR’s partnership to understand and reduce political polarization in the state, while promoting dialogue and civic thought. In addition to gauging polarization, the poll measured areas of shared values, trust in institutions, civic participation, and media use. Where possible, the Louisiana survey responses are compared to responses from identical poll questions in national surveys.
Upcoming Events
Pizza & Public Affairs
September 3 | 12 p.m.-1 p.m. | Holliday Forum, Journalism Bldg
The Reilly Center is proud to announce Dr. Kim Hunter Reed, Louisiana's Commissioner of Higher Education, as the featured speaker for our first Pizza & Public Affairs event of the Fall.
Held monthly during each semester, the Pizza & Public Affairs series invites students, faculty, and staff from across campus to enjoy free pizza and engage in meaningful conversations with guest speakers, whether a public official, civic leader, public affairs practitioner, or polarization expert. Speakers will share with students how they have achieved successful policy or program outcomes by building coalitions and communicating in a way that bridges division.
This series is part of the Common Ground Project.
A Successful 2026 John Breaux Symposium
Held at the Lod Cook Alumni Center on March 20, the 2026 John Breaux Symposium tackled the theme of "American Media at 250" — a nod to the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Featuring an all-star lineup of national voices and innovative scholars, the event encouraged thoughtful dialogue among its 205 registered attendees about the role of media in American democracy — past, present, and future.
Get to know Michael DiResto
Michael DiResto was named Director of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs in February 2025. His leadership is informed by more than 25 years of experience in media relations, public affairs, and public policy development. Joining the Reilly Center brought DiResto’s career full circle, as his first job after moving to Baton Rouge in 1996 was teaching freshman English at LSU.
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