Cronkite School Hosts Global Conversations

The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University will host a new series of discussions led by international journalists speaking on global media issues.

The series, which starts next week, will be led by the Cronkite School’s Humphrey Fellows, 10 established journalists and professional journalists from eight countries: Bangladesh, China, Croatia, Macedonia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey.

The fellows are at ASU this year as part of a prestigious U.S. State Department-funded program that brings mid-career professionals to U.S. universities to take classes, pursue leadership development and engage with professionals in their fields. There are 18 Humphrey Fellowship programs nationally. Cronkite is one of two schools to host a journalism program.

In the Cronkite Global Conversations series, fellows will give firsthand accounts from some of journalism’s most dangerous frontiers, including Sri Lanka, the most dangerous country for journalists in 2009, and Pakistan, the most dangerous country for journalists in 2010.

Other topics covered in the series will include international relations, disaster coverage and the role of public broadcasting in an emerging democracy.

"We all need a fresh perspective of global events, and the Humphrey fellows offer that plus keen insights on their individual nations," said Dr. Bill Silcock, curator of the Humphrey program and director of Cronkite Global Initiatives. "Each Global Conversation is an hour you'll never forget – taking you up close and personal with journalists from the front lines of global headlines."

The discussion series, which is open to the public, will take place Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 355 at the Cronkite School. Cookies will be served. The schedule can be found at http://cronkite.asu.edu/events/humphreys.

Cronkite Global Conversations are as follows:

Feb. 8
“Sri Lanka: Rising from the Ashes of War in the Most Dangerous Country for Journalists in 2009”
Chevaan Daniel, CEO, News 1st Sri Lanka

Feb. 22
“Lessons from the Balkans: Media Revolution in Croatia and Macedonia”
Daria Marjanovic, international producer, HTV, Croatia
& Aleksandra Dukovska, independent journalist, Macedonia

March 8
“Caught in the Crossfire: Voices from Pakistan, the Most Dangerous Country for Journalists in 2010”
Javed Afridi, television reporter, Express 24/7,
Malik Siraj Akbar, founder and editor, the Baloch Hal
& Mukesh Kumar Ropeta, reporter, Geo Television Network

March 22
“The New Role of Mongolia’s Public Broadcaster in a Transforming Democratic Landscape”
Chinkhand Dorj, broadcast journalist, Mongolian National Public Radio

April 5
“A Chinese Reporter’s Notebook: Disaster Coverage for Beijing Youth Daily”
Yang Xiao, senior reporter, Beijing Youth Daily

April 19
“Bridge Building through Communications: Creating Opportunities for Development in Bangladesh and Promoting International Relations in Turkey”
Mohammed Alauddin, information and communication coordinator, Caritas
& Sevgi Serpil Atalay, communications and international relations specialist, Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey