GTAZ Welcomes Journalists from Africa for the Edward R. Murrow Program: 21st Century Approaches to Print and Radio Journalism
Global Ties Arizona welcomed the Print & Radio Journalism Delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan and Tunisia.
The program kicked off with a meeting hosted by Chicanos Por La Causa.
Chicanos Por La Causa led a roundtable discussion on the media's role in advocating for and supporting social organizations and the importance of fostering local journalism. The group heard from Ms. Maria Jesus Cervantes, Vice President of Public Relations & International Affairs, about CPLC’S communications strategy and media relations efforts. CPLC representatives also shared an overview of the programs and services they offer to the Mexican-American and migrant communities in the states that they serve (Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas). The representatives also spoke about their advocacy work to ensure that Latino and other minority voices are justly represented in our communities.
The program continued at Prensa Arizona with Director of Sales & Marketing, Will Medina, and Publisher, Lety Garcia. Will and Lety shared the paper’s 30-year history of print media, and how they report on issues important to the Hispanic community in Arizona.
The group enjoyed lunch with a very special guest, Her Royal Highness, Queen Ameenata Koita, Sarauniya of Fulbe, Ashanti Region, Ghana, who resides in Laveen, Arizona. The lunch was full of laughter and knowledge sharing as the International Visitors shared news from their countries in Africa, and the Queen shared her experiences of living in the United States.
The delegates visited KTAR News Radio for a tour of the station’s newsroom, led by Martha Maurer, News Director & Assistant Program Director and Mr. Tyler Bassett, Digital Content Manager of KTAR.com and ArizonaSports.com. Ms. Maurer and Mr. Bassett also shared a “Trusted Voices'' presentation about KTAR’s guiding principles.
Programming continued with a visit to Univision Arizona, the number-one Hispanic broadcasting station, and the second overall radio station in the state. The group was welcomed by Mr. Gerardo Higginson, Senior Director of Community Empowerment. Mr. Higginson led the group on a tour of the building and newsroom while learning about Univision’s role in covering current issues that matter to the Hispanic community.
The group enjoyed a meal and Home Hospitality at the homes of our Executive Director, Kristin Allen, Board Member, Sapna Gupta, and citizen diplomat volunteers, Larry and Joan Bergen.