Coverage of Black Presidential Candidates and the influence of bloggers
among topics to be discussed
WASHINGTON, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association
of Black Journalists (NABJ) will hold its inaugural conference on political
and congressional reporting October 20-21 at the Watergate headquarters of
the National Journal magazine in Washington, D.C.
This two-day conference will feature political and congressional
correspondents, columnists, bloggers and broadcasters in topical sessions
geared at increasing the number of qualified journalists of color in
covering the national political scene.
Presenters include veteran Capitol Hill and White House correspondent
Deborah Mathis, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and editor Ken Cooper, NBC
News political director Chuck Todd, USA TODAY columnist DeWayne Wickham and
political editor Catalina Camina, former president of UNITY: Journalists of
Color, Inc.
Session topics will take a look at coverage of black candidates -- past
and present -- running for the U.S. presidency; the influence of bloggers
and print editorial board's in political coverage; and what it really takes
to cover the nation's capital from area media experts.
Earlier this year, NABJ called on all major news organizations --
print, broadcast, and online -- to assure that the diversity of America is
reflected in their coverage of potential candidates seeking their party's
nomination for the presidency.
"This conference is an exceptional opportunity to connect media leaders
with journalists of color who are looking to cover the national and
political realm," says NABJ President Barbara Ciara. "The argument that
candidates of color cannot be found is getting old and it's our goal to
bridge that gap."
According to a 2004 study conducted by UNITY and the University of
Maryland, "only one in 10 writers, editors and bureau chiefs in the
Washington daily newspaper corps are journalists of color."
"For years, the excuse has been that qualified candidates are scarce
when it comes to the most important beats, especially coverage of Capital
Hill," said Lee Ivory, president of the Washington Association of Black
Journalists. "This conference is a huge first step in exposing journalists
of color to what it takes to compete for, and win, those kinds of important
jobs."
The NABJ Watergate Conference on Political and Congressional Reporting
is sponsored by the National Journal and Freddie Mac. Media organizations
seeking recruitment opportunities can contact Program Development Manager
Ryan Williams at rwilliams@nabj.org.
For more information about the NABJ Watergate Conference on Political
and Congressional Reporting, visit http://www.nabj.org. Registration is required.
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the
largest organization of journalists of color in the nation, with nearly
4,000 members, and provides educational, career development and support to
black journalists worldwide.
SOURCE National Association of Black Journalists
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Related links:
http://www.nabj.org
CONTACT:
Kristin Palmer, Communications Manager of
NABJ, kpalmer@nabj.org, +1-301-445-7100, Ext. 107
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