CONTACT:
Julie Grimes, Deputy Executive Director, Society of Professional Journalists, (317) 431-3785

INDIANAPOLIS – Hear from journalists who found themselves in the eye of a storm that left New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast devastated. How prepared were they for the worst hurricane in the nation's history? How has what they've experienced changed them and the journalism business? What do other journalists need to know about covering a disaster of this magnitude?

“Eye of the Storm: Covering Katrina Up Close,” which takes place from 12:45 to 2 p.m., Oct. 18, is the latest addition to the SPJ 2005 Convention & National Journalism Conference in Las Vegas. The program will be in Grand Ballroom 4 of the Aladdin Hotel and Casino.

Panel participants include: Carl Redman, managing editor, Baton Rouge Advocate; State Sen. Ann Davis Duplessis, New Orleans; David Cohen, news director, WWL-Radio; and Blake Kaplan, assistant city editor, The (Biloxi) Sun Herald. Reginald Stuart, journalist and corporate recruiter, Knight Ridder, will moderate the discussion.

For information about covering this presentation, contact Julie Grimes, Deputy Executive Director, Society of Professional Journalists, at (317) 431-3785.

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 public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

-END-