In late 2018, a multinational group with members from Albania, Belize, Egypt, Latvia, New Zealand, and the People’s Republic of China arrived in Pensacola as part of an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) titled Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists: New and Traditional Broadcast Media II. This group came to the USA to review the history and importance of press freedom and to examine the practices and technologies used in this field.
City of Pensacola Council Member Dr. P.C. Wu met with the visitors and gave an overview of the city’s demographics & history. He also provided insight into the Florida Sunshine Law and how the city communicates with the news media.
Their itinerary included several media site visits and discussions. WEAR TV News Director Kimberly Wyatt gave a tour of the station and explored story development, editing, and technical aspects of news production with the group. At WRSE public television, they discussed the promotion of community development and the cultivation of an active and informed citizenry thanks to Station Administrative Coordinator Kasey Jones, General Manager Bob Culkeen, Director of Education Content and Services Jill Hubbs, Senior Producer & Director Mike Rowan, and Manager of Digital Strategies Brenton McMahon. They discussed local news and methods of advertising at News Radio 1620 with owner Dave Hoxeng and morning host Andrew McKay and community journalism and social media with Pensacola News Journal Executive Editor Lisa Nellssen-Savage.
To round out their exchange, the group explored the role of a public information officer at the Pensacola Police Department with Mike Wood and the process of ensuring fair and proper elections with Escambia County Supervisor of Elections David Stafford and Outreach and Training Coordinator Brandi Ziglar.
After workhours, the group also interacted on a more personal level with locals at an informal mixer with the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council Young Professionals and met briefly with
Joyce Black at the Pensacola Visitors Information Center.
The Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council thanks everyone who contributed to the success of this project.
