R.I. Press Association to host Journalism Day at URI

KINGSTON, R.I. -- October 21, 1999 -- The Rhode Island Press Association and the University of Rhode Island Journalism Department will co-sponsor their annual Journalism Day on Nov. 4, in Atriums I and II in URI's Memorial Union on the Kingston Campus.

The day includes a morning panel from 10 a.m. to noon, a Hall of Fame induction luncheon from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m., and an afternoon panel from 2 to 4 p.m.

The topic of the morning panel is "Police Records in Rhode Island." Panelists include Sheldon Whitehouse, R.I. attorney general; Jonathan Rockoff, reporter, The Providence Journal; Joseph V. Cavanagh, First Amendment lawyer; Police Captain Steven B. Fage, North Kingstown; and Police Chief Richard Tamburini, Johnston. The moderator will be Barbara Meagher of WLNE 6.

The Hall of Fame induction luncheon will honor writers and editors for their outstanding accomplishments in the field of journalism. This year's inductees are James V. Wyman, retired executive editor of The Providence Journal; Ambrose Smith, sports writer for The Kent County Daily Times; the late Winfield Townley Scott, poet and literary editor of The Providence Journal, and the late Rosalie Frost, publisher of The Cranston Herald.

The afternoon panel will discuss "How Well Are the Media Covering Gay and Lesbian Issues?" Panelists include Jennifer Levitz, reporter, The Providence Journal; W. Fitzgerald Himmelsbach, liaison to the gay and lesbian community in the office of Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci; Andrea Herrmann, graduate assistant programmer in the URI Office of Housing and Residential Life; and Peter Cassels, editor, Bay Windows, Boston's gay and lesbian newspaper. Barbara F. Luebke, professor of journalism and former department chair at URI, is the moderator.

The morning and afternoon panels are free and open to the public. Luncheon reservations must be made by October 29. The cost is $12 per person, and checks can be sent to Professor Linda Levin, RI Press Association, Department of Journalism, Chafee Building, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881.

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For More Information: Jan Sawyer, 401-874-2116