Nina Totenberg, National Public Radio’s legal affairs correspondent, talked about everything from jury selection in the Lewis “Scooter” Libby case to current school-integration cases to an audience of NPR listeners, students and faculty Wednesday night. Totenberg said she gave her speech a general name, “The Supreme Court and You,” so she could talk about anything she wanted.

Following her presentation was a question-and-answer session.

Sophomore Aimee Braun said she came to hear Totenberg give her perspective on political issues.

“Since she’s in the media,” Braun said, “I want to know what she thinks. Political issues are difficult to understand, and I hope she can make it more clear.”

Totenberg said in an interview that it’s important to follow Supreme Court cases because what’s being decided will affect the future.

“Yes, the Supreme Court doesn’t have anything to do with your date on Saturday night,” Totenberg said, “but it may have a good deal to do with the air you and your children will breathe and whether you and other members of your family will go to war. It’s terribly important.”

Totenberg said when it comes to staying informed, reading a newspaper is more beneficial than watching the evening news.

“Smaller newspapers like USA Today have a lot of short stories,” she said, “and if you read the paper every day, you would know much more than just watching the news. You find out a lot of things you wouldn’t know otherwise.”

Totenberg added that Internet sites aren’t beneficial either.

“When you go online, you look at what interests you,” she said. “You need to pay attention to other points of view and challenge your thinking. It’s foolish to only watch or read something that affirms your beliefs.”

While she understands people are busy, Totenberg said if someone wants to be a semi-informed citizen, he or she has to look at a newspaper at least a few times each week.

“If you don’t stay informed,” Totenberg said, “you won’t know what you’re doing when you vote. Then you get what you deserve. What’s going on right now is very significant.