ASNE Convention Kicks Off Tuesday in D.C.; Bush, Murdoch, Rice to Speak

By: Joe Strupp The annual American Society of Newspaper Editors conference kicks off next week in Washington, with events that will focus on issues from war coverage to reaching younger readers to media bias.

Among the key speakers at the convention are President Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich; and Rupert Murdoch, chairman and CEO of News Corporation.

The convention program begins on Tuesday, which will feature an address by Boxer and a look at the future of the newspaper industry.

ASNE president Karla Garrett Harshaw, editor of the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun and senior editor of Cox Community Newspapers, will also address ASNE members that day, speaking about the state of the newspaper industry.

Morning general sessions on Wednesday will begin with a discussion about reaching young readers and a session on media bias. Murdoch will speak at Wednesday's luncheon, and he'll be followed in the afternoon by Gingrich's speech and a panel on the use of "disturbing images" in newspapers.

Thursday opens with a review of government secrecy and challenges to protecting confidential sources. That will be followed by an update on ASNE's efforts during Sunshine Week and a look at distinguished writing and photography with the winners of this year's ASNE Awards. President Bush will speak at Thursday's luncheon.

Friday morning will bring a panel on Middle Eastern perceptions in of the United States, followed by a panel of top war correspondents on reporting from Iraq. Gen. Myers will speak at 11 a.m., followed by Rice addressing editors at the closing luncheon.

Among the evening events will be an opening-night reception sponsored by Cox Newspapers; separate receptions for women and small newspaper editors on Thursday; and the convention's first-ever gay reception on Wednesday night.

ASNE plans to release the results of its latest annual newsroom-diversity survey on Tuesday, while two new publications will be available at the convention: "Stepping Out to Step Up: Big-City Editors Moving to the Top at Smaller Newspapers" and "Sharpening the Tools: A Catalog of Special-Subject Training at U.S. Journalism Schools."

More information is available at www.asne.org.