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.
A Successful John Breaux Symposium in the Books!
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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