Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: New and Traditional Media in the Digital Age – Western Hemisphere

Now in its eleventh year, the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists was designed to meet the core element of U.S. Foreign Policy of "encouraging a free and responsible press all over the world". This initiative is especially set to engage young media professionals in finding new ways to foster a well-informed citizenry, examining rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy, and holding governments and institutions accountable. To be specific, the Department of State outlined the following objectives for the project:

• Examine the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a democracy;
• Observe operational practices, standards and institutions of the media in the U.S.;
• Gain insight into the social, economic and political structures of the U.S.; and
• Participate in professional development seminars and an international symposium highlighting current trends and challenges in the media profession, foreign affairs reporting, and coverage of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

The Western Hemisphere group visited Norman, Oklahoma; Tampa, Florida; and New York, New York. In Washington, DC, visitors heard remarks from Secretary of State John Kerry and legendary investigative journalist Bob Woodward. Highlights in Norman include a roundtable discussion on regional affairs with university staff members, students, and professional journalists. Highlights in Tampa, Florida include a workshop with the Poynter Institute and remarks from US CENTCOM. They wrapped up the program in New York with various high level meetings with media organizations.