| Media Note Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC February 13, 2002 Journalists from Central Asia Examine Free Press and Foreign Policy in the United StatesA group of journalists from Central Asia are participating in a three-week International Visitor program in the United States designed to familiarize them with the role of the free press in a democratic society, and U.S. foreign policy and defense issues. They are meeting with professional counterparts as well as government officials, regional experts and think tank specialists. Their program, sponsored by the Office of International Visitors of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, also touches on U.S. policy in Central Asia and the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. The journalists are being exposed to a broad cross-section of American society, with some emphasis on ethnic and religious diversity. Throughout their professional program, they are invited to visit American homes and attend cultural events. Beginning their trip on February 4 in Washington D.C., they were introduced to journalism and press operations as well as foreign policy issues in the United States. In St. Louis, Missouri (February 9-12), they met with local media outlets and traveled to the University of Missouri where discussions at the Journalism School centered on newsgathering and reporting, media ethics, and protection of sources. In Houston, Texas (February 13-15), their focus will include world events with discussions on events in Central Asia and the Middle East at the Baker Institute at Rice University. In Phoenix, Arizona (February 16-19), the group will examine government-media relations. Finally, in New York City (February 20-23), the participants will visit the United Nations and meet with journalists at a Russian language newspaper. They also will visit Ground Zero to gain an understanding of how the city and community dealt with the events of September 11. Since September 11, 2001, the critical role of public diplomacy, or citizen-to-citizen diplomacy has been increasingly acknowledged. The International Visitor Program brings current or potential leaders in government, media, education and other fields to the United States from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts. More information about the program is available at the website http://exchanges.state.gov/education/ivp. Media Contact: Catherine Stearns, telephone 202-203-5107; email cstearns@pd.state.gov |
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