UNCLAS KINGSTON 000934

SIPDIS

FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE, JMANES; INFO WHA/PDA MJOHNSON;
APRUITT; RBANKS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP KPAO JM
SUBJECT: Request for DVC Speaker for World Press Freedom Day



1. SUMMARY: Post seeks a DVC speaker in recognition of
World Press Freedom Day. The discussion should focus on the
increasingly complicated role of the modern journalist, who
must balance the demand of generating original, breaking
news stories with the need to gain the public's trust and
provide fair, accurate and comprehensive press coverage.
END SUMMARY


2. Proposed Program Date: Preferred date May 3, 2005.


3. MPP Theme: Strategic Goal "Democracy and Human Rights"


4. Purpose of the Program: According to the Society of
Professional Journalists, public enlightenment is the
forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The
duty of the journalist is to further those ends by seeking
truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of
events and issues. As competition between media houses
increases and modern technology allows for instant
publication of breaking news, how can journalists balance
the demands of a modern newsroom with the need to provide
fair, accurate, and comprehensive coverage to the general
public? Also, how do reporting scandals - such as Jayson
Blair with the New York Times and the recent CBS Evening
News debacle - affect the public's trust of the media?


5. Audience: Working journalists, columnists, commentators
and representatives of non-governmental organizations.


6. Proposed topics and nature of events: A digital
videoconference with the audience in the U.S. Embassy's
Public Affairs Auditorium (maximum 50). Suggested length of
program: 90 minutes.


7. Type of specialist required: A working journalist,
journalism lecturer or member of a non-governmental
organization such as the Committee to Protect Journalism or
Freedom House.


8. Language: English.


9. Funding specifics: I Bucks.


10. Post program officer: Glenn Guimond, PAO; tel: (876) 935-
6053; fax: (876) 929-3637; email:guimondg@state.gov. Back-
up program officer: Emma Lewis, PAA, tel: (876) 935-6009;
fax: (876) 929-3637; email: lewisec@state.gov. Tighe