Jackson Free Press

[verbatim] Jackson, MS (BlackNews.com) - Frank E. Melton, mayor of Jackson, Miss., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the TV-3 Foundation in Jackson, will deliver the keynote address at the MidSouth Winter Journalism Conference held at Belhaven College (Jackson, Miss.), February 24-25, 2006. Mayor Melton served as CEO of Jackson's WLBT TV-3, Inc. from 1984 to 2002, guiding the NBC affiliate to become the leader in local broadcasting. The two-day conference is for college-age aspiring journalists of faith. Attendees will be encouraged to integrate their Christian faith and journalism practice through lectures, discussion and fellowship.

Saturday will include sessions led by Jerry Mitchell, award-winning investigative reporter for the Clarion-Ledger (Jackson, Miss.); Elayne Hayes-Anthony, dean of Belhaven College's communications department and the first African-American female on Jackson's WJTV Channel 12; and Art Moore, news editor for WorldNetDaily.

The conference opens Friday with dinner and an opening session led by Robert Case of the World Journalism Institute.

College journalists and their advisers are encouraged to attend the conference. To register, go to http://www.worldji.com The registration fee is $25. Housing, meals, and books are provided by Belhaven College.

Belhaven College is a Christian liberal arts college dedicated to helping people grapple with the complex issues of life and to preparing them for positions of leadership in a rapidly changing society. Founded in 1894, Belhaven has been listed for the seventh year in America's 100 Best College Buys, as one of America's Best Christian Colleges, and in the U.S. News and World Report "America's Best Colleges."

The World Journalism Institute's mission is to recruit, equip, place and encourage Christian journalists in the mainstream newsrooms of America. The institute has offices in Asheville, N.C., and New York City.

For More Information:
Kimberly Collins
Program Director
World Journalism Institute
800-769-7870
[e-mail missing]

-END-

Previous Comments

ID

120876

Comment

I really hope that he sticks to the topic of journalism and represents our city well. I wish him the best.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-20T11:19:53-06:00

ID

120877

Comment

This is particularly ironic considering the contempt with which Mr. Melton and his administration is treating media in Jackson. It is also interesting in light of him telling the judge in Meridian that he could lie under oath because he was a journalist when he headed MBN when the truth is (a) he was a public servant, not a "journalist," and (b) journalists don't get to lie under oath, either. Someone keynoting a journalism conference should be aware of these facts. Of course, Mr. Melton is surrounded by irony. Remember that the reason the Meridian judge just said that Mr. Melton had to foot his own legal damages in that case was because Mr. Melton said he was a journalist, and the state doesn't cover the costs of journalist's legal damages. Interesting turnabout there from the judge.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T11:28:54-06:00

ID

120878

Comment

Darn it, Donna! I was trying not to think about all that. ;-)

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-20T11:31:49-06:00

ID

120879

Comment

Wonder if there will be a Q&A period after the keynote? I'll pay $25 for THAT.

Author

Rex

Date

2006-01-20T11:36:37-06:00

ID

120880

Comment

Sorry, L.W. I was just so offended, as a journalist, at Mr. Melton's trying to make us look like we think we can lie to judges that I still haven't quite gotten past that one. I'm glad the judge turned his words against him on it. Yeah, Rex, I'll pay $25 for that, too. Why don't we all go? Here comes the JFP Blogging Corps.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T12:57:13-06:00

ID

120881

Comment

Sounds like loads of fun (ahem), but do you think that Melton may cancel at the last minute and send Robert Walker in for him? Not only is he in the C-L about the perjury thing, but the person who wrote the article is hosting one of the sessions! Well, maybe he'll still come - with bodyguards and machine guns in tow.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2006-01-20T13:15:13-06:00

ID

120882

Comment

Agreed, L.W. That's weird. Does it make sense for him and Jerry to be on the same panel, if Jerry is now covering the lawsuit against him in Meridian? And where does the whole lying under to a judge fit in with the "Christian faith" ideas of this group?

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-20T13:28:18-06:00

ID

120883

Comment

before i make someone mad let me say that I do not mean that in a racist way i am not saying he is a monkey. I am saying he looks like Paul Frank or whatever that monkey's name is, not the skin color but the ears and face. Just so we are clear.

Author

*SuperStar*

Date

2006-01-25T13:37:58-06:00

ID

120884

Comment

I must say, Superstar, this is offensive, even if you didn't mean it to be. So we'll forgive you, but you must forgive me for taking down your post. I don't think it contributes much to conversation.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2006-01-25T13:39:28-06:00