US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON934

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, human rights 
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