Sixteen journalists from a continent where gossip can be a public service and mobile media have enabled speech in unprecedented ways will visit USFSP starting Thursday, Nov. 3.
Visitors from 15 sub-Saharan African countries will tour the U.S. as part of the State Department’s Edward R. Murrow program. Murrow brings young up-and-coming journalists from around the world to meet, teach and learn from their American counterparts.
“This is truly an exchange program. These are young people that are, in a number of instances, bringing very unique experiences,” said Mary Ellen Upton, the executive director of the Tampa Bay chapter of the International Council, the State Department’s official partner in the region.
“It enriches everyone’s life when you have an opportunity to exchange information and share experiences,” she said.
Sociologist Susan Watkins discovered that the people of Malawi rely on gossip to determine their potential sexual partners, in dating or marriage. Watkins’ research prompted new insight into how rural Africans are combating HIV/AIDS.
Events this year include a lecture on how gossip is protecting Malawi villagers from HIV/AIDS, a talk about how smartphones are causing a news revolution around the world and a session of one-on-one interviews between students and the visitors.
The program is a “great opportunity for students at USFSP to meet [their counterparts] and exchange ideas,” Upton said. “These young people can be lifelong contacts.”
This will be the third consecutive year USFSP has hosted the Murrow event since its establishment in 2006 as an expansion of the 70-year International Visitor Leadership Program.
Nationwide, 150 journalists will visit 11 academic institutions as part of the program this year.
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SCHEDULED EVENTS
All in Poynter Corner of campus library unless otherwise marked
Thursday, Nov. 3:
News and Gossip: A Cultural Discussion
Dr. Tony Sylvia
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
How Smartphones Tell the News
Drs. Monica Ancu and Paul Wang
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Neighborhood News Bureau Welcome program
@ Trinity Presbyterian Church
6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 7:
African News and News in Africa
Dr. Robert Dardenne
9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.
Student session – Open Forum
10:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Participants’ session (On being a journalist in Africa)
1:45 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Press conference; Informal discussions and one-on-one interviews
3 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
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