U.S. Overseas Media: A Call to Action

WASHINGTON, March 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Public Diplomacy Council announces the release of its latest book, Local Voices/Global Perspectives: Challenges Ahead for U.S. International Media. This volume presents the next administration and Congress with the case for retooling U.S. publicly funded international broadcasting in an era of interactive, online communications. "This anthology," says one reviewer, "calls for urgent action if our nation is to be a force in the global marketplace of ideas dominated by a new generation."

A panel discussion of Local Voices/Global Perspectives: Challenges Ahead for U.S. International Media will be held in the First Amendment Lounge of the National Press Club on Friday, April 4, at 9 a.m. The Press Club is located at 529 14th Street NW, 13th floor, Washington, DC 20045.

Contributors to the anthology include:
-- James K. Glassman, U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors Chairman

-- Robert T. Coonrod, Public Diplomacy Council President and former Corporation for Public Broadcasting CEO

-- Kevin Klose, NPR President

-- Sanford J. Ungar, Goucher College President and former Voice of America Director

-- Mark Helmke, Veteran U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee aide
-- Brian Conniff, President of the Middle East Broadcast Networks Inc.
-- Gary Knell, President and CEO of Sesame Workshop.

Other eminent analysts in the anthology are Paul Blackburn, Nicholas J. Cull, Kim Andrew Elliott, Morand Fachot, Mark Maybury, Graham Mytton, Salameh Nematt, Adam Clayton Powell III, Walter R. Roberts, William A. Rugh, McKinney Russell, John Trattner, Jeffrey Trimble, Myrna Whitworth and Barry Zorthian. The book is edited by Alan L. Heil Jr., former VOA deputy director.

The series of essays and recorded roundtables cover challenges in international media facing the new administration and Congress. These include: issues for audience research, the essentials of credible news and programming for a new era, options for structure and resources in 2009 and beyond, new media contributions to America's dialogue with the world, and visions for government and private sector media in the years ahead. Reviewers have termed the book a "must read" for specialists in overseas publicly funded and non-profit media.

The nonpartisan Public Diplomacy Council consists of 80 veteran professionals and scholars who advocate strengthening of the nation's overseas information, cultural, and educational programs. To RSVP for the inaugural or order books ($19.95 each), contact the Public Diplomacy Council, pdi410@gwu.edu / 805 21st Street NW, Suite 410, Washington, DC 20052 / (202) 994-0389.

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Source: Public Diplomacy Council

CONTACT: Public Diplomacy Council, +1-202-994-0389, pdi410@gwu.edu

2008-03-27 16:59:16 0321802 PRNEWSWIRE