NABJ to Address Legislative and Political Reporting at Watergate Conference

NABJ to Address Legislative and Political Reporting at Watergate Conference

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 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

CONTACT: Kristin Palmer, Communications Manager of NABJ,
kpalmer@nabj.org, +1-301-445-7100, Ext. 107

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

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