For Immediate Release

Contact: Barbara K. Laskin or Doug Stone
October 4, 2004
(651) 696-6203

International Journalists talk about their impressions of the U.S. at the World Press Institute's "What's News?" Forum November 16 at Macalester

St. Paul, Minn. - Nine international reporters and editors will offer their unique observations of the U.S. news media and other issues in their countries during a free public forum at 7 p.m., Tues., Nov. 16, in the John B. Davis Lecture Hall of Macalester College's Ruth Stricker Dayton Campus Center, 1600 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, Minn. The forum, "What's News?," will be hosted by Minnesota Public Radio's Cathy Wurzer, host of Minnesota Public Radio's "Morning Edition."

WPI fellows have spent four months together experiencing the complexities of life in the United States and examining the role and responsibilities of a free press in a democratic society. Starting in St. Paul, they were immersed in U.S. journalistic standards and practices through seminars, briefings and visits to newsrooms, large and small. They learned first-hand about U.S. business, education, politics and government. In addition, they were exposed to a range of social issues and U.S. culture while traveling throughout the country. This year's WPI program focused on war coverage, investigative reporting, the environment and diversity. The program began August 1 and concludes this month.

WPI's 2004 fellows are:

Bhutan - Mr. Ugyen Penjor, senior reporter, Kuensel, Thimphu
Bulgaria - Ms. Petya Dikova, reporter, 24 Chassa, Sofia
China - Ms. Wenjun Gu, news director, Dragon TV, Shanghai
Ecuador - Ms. Elisa Sicouret, reporter, Hogar, Guayaquil
Nepal - Mr. Raj Kumar K.C., reporter, The Rising Nepal, Katmandu
Nigeria - Mr. Louis Iba, business correspondent, The Punch, Lagos
Panama - Mr. Tilcia Delgado, reporter, La Prensa, Panama City
Sweden - Ms. Liselott Persson, reporter, Sveriges Television, Stockholm
Zambia - Ms. Olga Manda Mwaba, freelance correspondent, DPA, RFI, Africawoman, Lusaka

The forum is co-sponsored by the Minnesota International Center.

Established at Macalester College in 1961 with seed money from DeWitt Wallace, founder of the Reader's Digest and a St. Paul native, the mission of WPI is to foster understanding about the role and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy. WPI is a private, nonprofit corporation supported by a wide range of foundations, local and national media, U.S.-based multinational corporations, WPI alumni, friends and Macalester College. For additional information, visit www.worldpressinstitute.org.

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