Big-name journalists don't need a political convention as an excuse to visit the Twin Cities. Dan Rather, Phil Donahue, Bill Moyers and Arianna Huffington are among the top-tier names appearing next weekend at the National Conference for Media Reform, a three-day event chockful of panels on everything from current war coverage to the future of Internet news.

Most of the guests are flying in on their own dime out of concern about where journalism is heading, said Josh Silver, executive director of Free Press, a Washington D.C.-based organization that sponsors the annual event.

"Once journalists like Bill Moyers and Phil Donahue reach the late parts of their careers, they are able to talk freely about the crisis that's befallen journalism," he said. "These top names understand that if we don't fix it, participatory democracy is not possible."

The schedule at the Minneapolis Convention Center isn't all doom-and-gloom talk. Comedian Lizz Winstead will co-host a Saturday night event, featuring Rather and Huffington, and participants will have a chance Friday night to see Donahue's new documentary, "Body of War."

10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Sat., 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. next Sun. $195 at the door; $95 for students, seniors and lower-income registrants. Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 2nd Av. S. For more information, call 1-202-265-1490 or go to freepress.net/conference.