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

INDIANAPOLIS – In 1972, two young reporters at The Washington Post changed journalism forever when they were assigned to cover an odd break-in at the Watergate Hotel. Subsequently, the reporters -- Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein -- launched an investigative probe that shook the country and eventually led to the resignation of President Richard M. Nixon. Today, their work serves as the textbook example for investigative reporting.

Thirty-five years later, the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce that Woodward and Bernstein will be headlining a panel discussion at the 2007 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. In addition to looking back on Watergate, the two will discuss the lessons learned and how one historical event has transformed journalism.

Joining Woodward and Bernstein are Alicia C. Shepard, a journalism professor from American University and the author of “Woodward and Bernstein: Life in the Shadow of Watergate” and Daniel Schorr, senior news analyst for National Public Radio. CBS’s Bob Schieffer, one of broadcast journalism’s most experienced reporters, will moderate the panel discussion. The event will take place at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 400 New Jersey Ave., NW in the Ticonderoga room.

“Now 35 years later, the entire profession still looks to the work of Woodward and Bernstein on Watergate for inspiration and as the watershed moment where watchdog journalism was arguably born,” SPJ National President-Elect Clint Brewer said. “This panel promises to hold truths and lessons for journalists everywhere.”

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 http://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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