Internation Journalism Kicks off Journalism Week

"International Journalism: Reporting Across Borders" was the topic for the opening event of the first ever Journalism Week here at Ithaca College. Tonight Dr. Matt Mogekwu, associate professor and Chair of the Journalism Department, and Vadim Isakov, a Scholar-in-Residence, shared their first hand experience and knowledge to the Ithaca community about reporting over seas with a focus on Nigeria and Uzbekistan.

Dr. Mogekwu has taught at universities in Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, and Swaziland. He has also taught at Bowie State University in Maryland before he came to Ithaca College.

Isakov worked for the Agence France Press in his home country of Uzbekistan and has also worked for the United States Agency for International Development, The Herald Sun, as well as The Daily Tar Heel in North Carolina.

Mogekwu and Isakov shared the difficulties that journalists face while reporting in foreign countries in relation to the freedoms that journalists in the United States may take for granted. It was a great experience to hear stories of Mogekwu and Isakov's journalism careers over seas and learn about the challenges journalists face in terms of the ability to get information and the ability to write the truth without facing consequences.

Thanks to both Mogekwu and Isakov for taking the time to come share a little bit about international journalism with us!

Don't forget to attend a brown bag lunch tomorrow with Jeffrey Selingo, editor of the Chronicle of Higher Education, at 12:15 p.m. in Park 220. Then there will be a presentation entitled "Building Online Communities: Making Journalism a Two-Way Conversation" with Vanessa Schneider '07 and Wes Siler Tuesday evening.

-Katie