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CONTACTS:
Mac McKerral, SPJ president-elect and convention chair, 813/342-2472, mmckerral@spj.org
Robert Leger, SPJ president, 417/836-1113, rleger@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Bush Administration says the major conflicts in Iraq are over, but troops are still engaged in dangerous situations, and journalists remain covering the conflict.

The Society of Professional Journalists National Convention, scheduled for Sept. 11-13, in Tampa, Fla., will open with a discussion about the many issues associated with the war in Iraq (past, present and future).

Noted First Amendment attorney Bruce Sanford will moderate this discussion with panelists Seymour Hersh, investigative journalist with The New Yorker; Kerry Sanders, a news correspondent for NBC; Bryan Whitman, deputy assistant secretary of defense, media operations, U.S. Department of Defense, Pentagon; and Juan Tamayo, a journalist with The Miami Herald.

The panel is scheduled for 8:30-9:45 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.

More than 600 professional journalists and college journalism students are expected to attend the SPJ convention at the Hyatt Regency Tampa. For more convention information, including a complete schedule and registration information, visit http://www.spj.org/convention.asp. For information about covering the convention, contact SPJ at spj@spj.org or 317/927-8000 ext. 216.

The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.