Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08BANGKOK1362 | 2008-05-02 05:26:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Bangkok |
VZCZCXRO3663 RR RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHBK #1362 1230526 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 020526Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 5201 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2908 INFO RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS |
UNCLAS BANGKOK 001362 |
1. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Post requests IIP support and assistance to recruit a U.S. speaker for an FY2008 Speaker Program on Elections 2008. Post will program the U.S. speaker for five (5) days in Bangkok and outlying provinces in the North, South and Northeast. Post seeks a speaker who can provide a journalistic perspective on the 2008 U.S. elections. Topics of interest would include media ethics in covering the election campaign and candidates; the impact that the media has on public perception of candidates; and the effect of new media and technology on the electoral process, including how it has shaped campaigning and fund raising by candidates. The speaker also must be able to discuss platform issues that resonate most with U.S. voters and to explain basic elements of the U.S. electoral system (i.e. delegates, Electoral College, balloting, vote counting, and campaign finance.) A senior political correspondent or other senior correspondent versed in coverage of U.S. elections would be ideal. 2. TIMEFRAME: Post proposes September 22-26, 2008 as tentative program dates. 3. PROGRAM PURPOSE: To increase awareness, interest and understanding among local media, students, academics, think-tanks, and civil society on issues related to the 2008 U.S. Presidential Elections with a special focus on the role of the media. This program will further advance the Mission Strategic Plan goals of Governing Justly and Democratically and Promoting International Understanding. Proposed Program details: (a) Conduct round-table discussions with local media and civil society activists on the 2008 U.S. elections and the importance of a free and transparent media in the democratic process. (b) Participate in one-on-one interviews with local Thai media on the 2008 U.S. elections. (c) Speak to groups of local media, university students, academics, think-tanks, and civil society activists on the 2008 U.S. elections in general, including possible implications of a new administration on foreign policy, particularly security and trade. 4. AUDIENCE: Local media, academics, students, think-tanks, and civil society in Thailand. 5. LANGUAGE: English. Post will arrange for Thai-English interpretation as needed. 6. OTHER MATERIALS REQUESTED: Post requests IIP assistance in obtaining relevant documents from the speaker for the information packet Post will prepare and distribute. We appreciate your assistance in obtaining this information at least six weeks in advance of program for translation into Thai. 7. PROGRAM OFFICER: Assistant Information Officer Cynthia A. Brown Telephone: 66-2-205-4415 Fax: 66-2-650-8919 E-Mail: brownca@state.gov Information Specialist Subhabhong Rarueysong Telephone: 66-2-205-441566-2-205-4388 Fax: 66-2-650-8919 E-Mail: subhabhong@state.gov 8. FUNDING: All standard U.S. Speaker funding to be provided by IIP through I-bucks. 9. COMMENT: Post requests this program be funded through I-bucks in order to leverage the unique opportunity presented by the 2008 presidential elections to promote better understanding on the role in a free press in the democratic process, which is of particular importance as Thailand only recently returned to a democratically-elected government in February 2008. JOHN |