Lloyd H Weston, CJA board member, to be panelist at annual convention of American Arab Journalists Association

For Additional Information, Please Contact:
rayhanania@comcast.net or
Lloyd H Weston @ 1-866-266-2002  or westonlloyd1@gmail.com                       

Lloyd H Weston Head Shot Attached Below.

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CHICAGO / DETROIT – Retired Chicago-area journalist and newspaper editor Lloyd H Weston will join a panel discussion April 30 at the sixth annual convention of the National American Arab Journalists Association. A member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Journalists Association (f/k/a Chicago Press Veterans), Weston, a fervent First Amendment advocate, will discuss the controversies that erupted following the firings of news reporters Helen Thomas and Octavia Nasr -- both of Arab descent -- and the anti-Arab backlash that followed in the mainstream media.

Weston will be joined on the Saturday afternoon panel by Christine Tatum, a past-president of both the Chicago Headline Club and the national Society of Professional Journalists.

Originally from Detroit and now living in the Chicago area, Weston is a graduate of Wayne State University's School of Journalism. He was an early critic of his alma mater's decision last year to rename the Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in Media Award. He has been equally outspoken in condemning the Society of Professional Journalists' shelving of a Lifetime Achievement Award named for Thomas.

An award-winning journalist and editor for more than 40 years, his work has been published in the Chicago Sun-Times, Pioneer Press Newspapers,The Forward Newspaper, Chicago Jewish News, Paddock Publications, Booth Newspapers and many others.

"The panelists will invite the convention to join them for a freewheeling discussion about free speech, journalism ethics, media bias -- and how those things, and so many other dynamics -- figured into the controversies that erupted after respected journalists Thomas and Nasr spoke their minds," said Ray Hanania, NAAJA National Coordinator. 

Another convention panel discussion will feature U.S. State Department official Phil Frayne, Director of the Office of Press and Public Diplomacy for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. He will join professional American Arab journalists George Hishmeh and Ali Younes in an examination of the challenges facing American Arabs in the decade since the terrorism attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

“We’re very excited to have distinguished professionals like Mr. Weston and Mr. Frayne join the line up of panels that will be presented in two separate conference rooms all day April 30 during our convention,” Hanania said.

A complete listing of panels is available on the official conference web site at:  http://www.naaja-us.com/NAAJAConference/program.htm

“American Arab journalists are under siege,” Hanania says. “From Helen Thomas to Octavia Nasr, we are being targeted because of what we represent. And, what we represent is a determination to insure that the mainstream news media is fair, accurate and includes the voices of American Arabs and Muslims in their daily reporting. That doesn’t always happen.”

The convention goals are to strengthen the growing network of American Arab Journalists, NAAJA and help launch more chapter networks in other cities. Currently, NAAJA has more than 300 members – there is no fee to join – and has five chapters including in Chicago; Dearborn, Mich.; Washington D.C.; Austin, Texas, and Oregon.

At the convention NAAJA will also recognize three students with college scholarships. NAAJA is dedicated to supporting young American Arabs to help them pursue careers in journalism.

The three-day conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dearborn. It will run from Friday evening, April 29, through Sunday, May 1.

Registration information is available at: http://www.naaja-us.com/NAAJAConference/register.htm

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