As part of the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, a dozen African and Caribbean journalists visited the School of Communications on Nov. 5 to learn about journalistic practices in the United States.
A Nov. 5 panel discussion led by School of Communications faculty produced an insightful two-way conversation with a dozen African and Caribbean journalists visiting campus, exploring U.S. democracy, freedom of speech, new technology and the media industry. The visit was part of the International Visitor Leadership Program’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, which annually brings more than 100 emerging international journalists from around the world to examine journalistic practices in the United States.
The cadre of international journalists visiting Elon’s campus this week hailed from Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Guinea-Bussau, Haiti, Kenya, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Zimbabwe. In an added wrinkle, many of them primarily spoke French.
Moderated by Associate Professor Rich Landesberg, the 45-minute panel featured Professor Anthony Hatcher, Associate Professor Amanda Sturgill, Assistant Professor Brooks Fuller and Elon senior Grace Morris, who is studying journalism. Fuller also serves as the director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition.
For photos from the panel, visit the School of Communications Flickr page.
During the informal discussion, the School of Communications contingent kicked off the conversation, delving into topics such as democracy and accountability in reporting in the United States, as well as the development of new tools and technologies to counter the spread of misinformation. Through translators, the School of Communications faculty and the visiting journalists conversed about their personal and professional experiences.
Much like their American counterparts, the visiting journalists had several thoughts about the pros and cons of new technologies and social media, and the silo effect that new platforms can create.
In addition to the panel, the visiting journalists toured the School of Communications complex and received a welcome from Communications Dean Rochelle Ford.
About the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists
Each year, the U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists brings international journalists from around the world to examine journalistic practices in the United States. The Murrow program is an innovative public-private partnership between the Department of State, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies, and several leading U.S. schools of journalism. The program usually occurs in October-November.
The program aims to provide visiting journalists with a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy, and the principles and laws governing the press in the United States. Additionally, the program hopes to provide an understanding of the evolution, current status and trends in journalistic investigations.