Digital Journalism, Diversity and Debate Take Center Stage at the 32nd NABJ Convention in Las Vegas

Digital Journalism, Diversity and Debate Take Center Stage at the 32nd NABJ Convention in Las Vegas

WASHINGTON, June 27 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 3,000 print and broadcast journalists are expected to convene in Las Vegas, Aug. 8-12, for the 32nd convention of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the largest gathering of journalists of color in America this year.

Top presidential candidates, television network chiefs and controversial celebrities have been invited to join black journalists from around the nation and across the globe at Bally's Las Vegas Hotel and Casino this summer. The convention -- themed "Revolutionizing Journalism, Transforming the Future" -- will emphasize changes in the media industry and how journalists can position themselves for the next decade and beyond.

"Today, we are at both an exciting and frightening crossroad in American journalism," said NABJ President Bryan Monroe, vice president and editorial director of Ebony and Jet magazines in Chicago. "Layoffs, buyouts, the Internet, politics and the next generation... Our convention will confront those issues head-on, providing our members with a roadmap to the future."

The five-day gathering will feature major plenary discussions on Politics and Campaign '08, as well as a frank conversation on race, inclusion and the media with top voices in the news industry.

On Thursday, journalists will participate in "A Conversation with America's Candidates." NABJ has invited the 2007 Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to participate in this open forum, including Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Hillary Clinton, former senator John Edwards, Gov. Mitt Romney and Mayor Rudy Giuliani. The convention will be their sole opportunity to address thousands of African-American print, broadcast, and online journalists.

Later that day, Alfre Woodard, actress and founder of Artists for a New South Africa, will participate in the annual W.E.B. DuBois Lecture. As part of the session, "Cause Celeb: Artists for Change on the African Continent," the panel will discuss celebrity activism in Africa and how it is portrayed in mainstream media.

On Friday, the plenary will focus on "Where the Buck Stops: Beyond Imus, What is in Bounds, Out of Bounds and Who Makes the Call?" Invited speakers from CBS, NBC, BET and others will participate in an engaging and enlightening discussion as industry leaders look at the role media play in the national conversation around race, language, inclusion and respect.

This year's convention will include hands-on training in digital journalism and new media. As part of the pre-convention Learning Labs, "Convergence: The Multimedia Newsroom", participants learn how to present stories and TV talkbacks; how blogs can enhance online news and how to use those tools to interact with the public.

The professional development breakfast, "Black Women in the Newsroom", a popular series by Lyne Pitts of NBC News and Avis Weathersbee of the Chicago Sun-Times, will show how minority women can achieve career success in the newsroom.

During the convention, NABJ also will host several special events including the opening reception Wednesday night with George Wallace, the only African American comedian to own his own show on the Vegas strip. On Thursday evening, "NABJ Presents" sponsored by Walt Disney World will feature comedian and radio personality Steve Harvey in an evening of fun and surprises. The comedy continues on Saturday night as "Fly Jock" Tom Joyner, host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, will kick off the party celebrating Unity '08 in Chicago.

Basketball legend/author Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and actress/author Victoria Rowell will speak at the annual NABJ Author's Showcase on Thursday and Friday.

Also on Friday, Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson will host the NABJ Hall of Fame Banquet. The 2007 Hall of Fame inductees are: Xernona Clayton, Merv Aubespin, John L. Dotson, Jr., and Jim Vance.

Maurice Dubois, WCBS-TV anchor, will host the Salute to Excellence Awards Gala on Saturday night as NABJ recognizes exemplary coverage of people or issues in the African Diaspora. Awards for emerging journalist, community service, lifetime achievement, and journalists of the year also will be presented.

A major component of the NABJ convention is the annual career fair that offers media recruiters the opportunity to meet with prospective employees. CNN Worldwide, The Associated Press, Harpo, Inc., NBC News, Talent Dynamics, Dow Jones & Company, American Red Cross, the Mayo Clinic and The McClatchy Company are among recruiters participating.

For more information about the 32nd NABJ Convention & Career Fair or to register, visit http://www.nabj.org/.

The National Association of Black Journalists, established in 1975, is the world's largest organization of journalists of color, and represents journalists, students and media-related professionals. It provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.

Over 3,000 journalists from across the country are expected to attend the 32nd Annual Convention, August 8-12 at Bally's Hotel & Casino. The convention will feature the nation's largest journalism career fair along with specialized workshops in new media, plenary sessions and professional development breakfasts for veteran and future journalists. For more information, please visit http://www.nabj.org/.

NOTE: Members of the working press who will be covering the NABJ convention are required to obtain media credentials. As part of the process, reporters must submit a request for credentials on company letterhead signed by their supervisors. The letter must also include the specific days that the reporters will be covering the convention and the names and titles of all staff members who are requesting media credentials. A photo ID or press pass will be required for each person. For additional information on obtaining credentials, contact Kristin Palmer, NABJ Communications Manager at kpalmer@nabj.org.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)

CONTACT: Kristin Palmer, Communications Manager of National Association
of Black Journalists (NABJ), +1-301-445-7100 Ext. 107, kpalmer@nabj.org

Web site: http://www.nabj.org/

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