MEDIA: Losing the news

By Christine Carrie Fien on September 22, 2009

Journalists around the world are facing threats ranging from outright violence to layoffs. | The United Nations Association of Rochester is holding a one-day conference, "Freedom of the Press: A Global Crisis," to examine the issue. | "It's really an opportunity for people to exchange ideas, debate, and to learn more," says conference chair Margaret Corbin. | For almost 30 years, the UNAR has hosted journalists from developing nations, who come to the US to learn about the UN. The journalists will spend four days - October 2-5 - in Rochester and participate in the UNAR conference on Monday, October 5. Journalists from Cape Verde, Iran, Rwanda, Mali, Panama, and other countries are scheduled to attend, if they can get visas. | Panels will examine radio, TV, photo, and print journalism policies and practices in the US and around the globe. | Maidstone Mulenga, global editor of the Democrat and Chronicle, is the keynote speaker. | The conference, which is open to the public, is from 8 a.m. to noon at the Metro Center of SUNY Brockport, 55 St. Paul Street. To register, e-mail unar@unar.org or call (585) 473-7286. The cost is $20 or $10 for students with ID.