Contact:
Beth King, Communications Manager, (317) 927-8000, ext. 211

INDIANAPOLIS – Coinciding with the introduction of “citizen journalism,” legal action against bloggers has skyrocketed the past few years. Meanwhile, many traditional journalists have sought to differentiate themselves from bloggers through self-regulation and legislation.

But as traditional news organizations are beginning to embrace blogs and user-generated content, the “blogging v. journalism” debate has begun to dissolve, replaced instead by a greater awareness that what threatens bloggers today may well threaten professional journalists tomorrow.

Addressing the challenges, threats and future opportunities for bloggers and journalists, Media Bloggers Association President Robert Cox will lead an interactive discussion during the 2007 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. The event will take place at noon, Saturday, Oct. 6 in the Ticonderoga room at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

“Robert Cox and the Media Bloggers Association are at the forefront of the citizen journalism movement,” SPJ National President-Elect Clint Brewer said. “The challenges and opportunities facing bloggers and journalists are very similar, particularly when it comes to First Amendment rights and press freedoms.”

To obtain a media credential for this event, please contact SPJ Communications Manager Beth King at (317) 927-8000, ext. 211. For more information about the 2007 SPJ National Convention & Journalism Conference — including a full convention schedule — or to register, visit www.spj.org/convention.asp.

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, 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. For more information about SPJ, visit www.spj.org.

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