OU to host Media Educators from 18 Countries

By Don Sanders

The U.S. Department of State has selected Ohio University to run the 2010 Journalism and Media summer program! It is called the 2010 Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) for Journalism and Media scholars.

The E. W. Scripps School of Journalism’s Institute for International Journalism (IIJ) is proud to have been selected to host this year’s summer scholars' program and to welcome a diverse and talented group of educators from 18 countries: Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Ecuador, Finland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jamaica, Macedonia, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Rwanda, Thailand, Vietnam, West Bank and Zambia.

The school and IIJ have planned an innovative summer scholars’ program that will challenge the media educators from 18 countries to think in new ways about teaching journalism, media research, and other principles of this ever-changing profession.

The SUSI Journalism and Media program is funded by a grant from the Department of State's Study of the U.S. Branch of the Office of Academic Exchange Programs. This year’s program runs from June 30 to August 12, 2010.

Participants in Study of the U.S. Institutes are among the approximately 30,000 individuals who participate in exchanges managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) each year. Other ECA exchange programs include the Fulbright Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program. Through a range of academic and professional exchanges, the Bureau seeks to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

We look forward to introducing participants to our campus and Athens local community through tours and cultural activities. Participants will visit media outlets and cultural attractions at three major cities in our region - Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburgh - and to Atlanta and Washington, D.C. It’s going to be an exciting six weeks!

The academic program will cover a wide range of topics, issues, and practical skills in journalism and media, with four main themes: media, ethics and society; legal frameworks for media freedoms; scholarly research in journalism and media; roles and responsibilities of journalism in a democracy; changing media business models in an era of technological change.

Participants in SUSI are among the approximately 30,000 individuals who participate in exchanges managed by the Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) each year. Other ECA exchange programs include the Fulbright Program and the International Visitor Leadership Program. Through a range of academic and professional exchanges, the Bureau seeks to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries.

Participants will use social media platforms, including the IIJ Blog and Facebook to share their experience in our summer program. Watch this space in the coming weeks for regular updates.

Journalism Abroad: Program Participants

UGANDA
East Africa
July - Aug 2010

By Don Sanders,

Participants in the 2010 journalism summer study abroad program titled "Uganda: Media, Diversity and Governance," were announced on April 9, 2010.

This is the inaugural journalism study abroad program that is administered and practically conducted by the Institute for International Journalism (IIJ).

This was a competitive nomination process. Only 14 out of 30 applicants were finally selected. The group is comprised of students from political science, media arts and studies, and journalism (magazine, broadcast, and news-editorial sequences).

"We are pleased with the talent and caliber of this year’s participants. It’s a group with exceptional aptitude and enthusiasm that will provide support for each other as they embark on this academic intercultural immersion and touristy adventure," said Professor Yusuf Kalyango, the Institute's Director. Prof. Kalyango serves as the Program Director for the journalism study abroad program.

The group is now preparing for its adventurous expedition this spring quarter with eight weekly orientation sessions. Watch this space in the coming months for the latest news and feature articles from all 14 participants and their local counterparts.

World Press Freedom Day: Join a Webchat

By Robert Stewart

May 3rd is World Press Freedom Day, when various media organizations call attention to issues related to press freedom issues.

The U.S. State Department’s website is hosting a webchat with journalists:

On May 3, 2010, journalists, citizens, and governments around the globe will commemorate World Press Freedom Day. On this important day, designated by the U.N. General Assembly, we celebrate Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek.

The U.S. Department of State invites you to join the discussion in live webchats with journalist and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism professor Judith Matloff (in English, on May 3 at 14:00 GMT/10 a.m. EDT) and journalist, trainer and former Radio France Internationale (RFI) producer Diane Seligsohn (in French, May 3 at 10:00 GMT/6 a.m. EDT). We welcome your questions and thoughts on the struggle for freedom of expression and independent media in countries worldwide.