Calendar of events | MARCH 2008
Freedom of Information Annual Program
In honor of Freedom of Information Month, Rhonda Chriss Lokeman, who has been with The Kansas City Star since 1981, will describe her two-months in Kenya training and mentoring African journalists. While she was there, Kenya was relatively peaceful, but now, several months after her return home, Kenya is in turmoil. Hear her share her exhilarating experiences and how her training has prepared Kenya journalists to “put her training to use.”
Here is a segment from her nationally syndicated column that appears every Sunday in The Kansas City Star. Shortly after the Kenya elections, she wrote:
“Based at the Daily Nation newspaper, I trained and mentored Nation media staff across Kenya and in Tanzania.
"This remarkable opportunity led to greater cross-cultural understanding. The 23 trainees in the regional media lab were from various tribes and three East African nations.
"When I left in October, Kenyan friends invited me to return in 2008. Now they urge me to stay away. 'We are living in fear,' said one. 'Pray for us, pray for Kenya,' said another.
"Those in the media lab wrote to tell me that this crisis has enabled them to put my lessons to practical use. I am pleased and distressed by this news. “Finally, I will see what it is like to interview hostile sources,” one wrote. Indeed.”
Rhonda is a firm believer in the Bill of Rights and vocal advocate for civil liberties. Her commentary has earned her national and international honors, including a Pulitzer Prize, an Inter American Press Association award and a 2004 Clarion Award from the Association for Women in Communications.
Program Details:
| WHAT | Topic: Freedom of Information Annual Program Rhonda Chriss Lokeman, Syndicated Columnist & Editorial Writer for the Kansas City Star |
| WHEN | March 18, 2008 5:30 - 7:30 pm |
| WHERE | Rudy's Tenampa Taqueria 1611 Westport Rd Kansas City, Mo. 64111 816-931-9700 [map] |
| COST | $20 members, $25 guests |
| RSVP | RSVP to kcawcevents@gmail.com or call 913-432-1214. |
Posted 3/6/08
