Newhouse’s Tully Center for Free Speech to host London-based debate on Middle Eastern journalism

Newhouse’s Tully Center for Free Speech to host London-based debate on Middle Eastern journalismMarch 12, 2007Wendy S. Loughlinwsloughl@syr.edu

The Tully Center for Free Speech, part of Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, will host a debate — “Journalism About the Middle East: Free Speech or Propaganda?” — Tuesday, March 27, at 6 p.m. at The City University’s Oliver Thompson Lecture Theatre in London. The event is co-sponsored by SU London and The City University.

Barbara Fought, Newhouse assistant professor of broadcast journalism and director of the Tully Center, conceptualized the debate with two goals in mind: 1) to encourage SU London students to explore issues of free speech and 2) to create an opportunity for them to interact with British and other international students. “Watching a British debate will be an exciting experience for American students, especially with some of the top journalists in the UK,” says Fought. “We hope the journalists will spur a robust discussion among the audience.”

Debate participants will include Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, columnist for The Independent; Mohamed Chebaro, UK bureau chief for Middle East News and correspondent for Al-Arabiya Television; Jane Corbin, correspondent for the BBC; Richard Gizbert, correspondent for Al Jazeera English; and Stewart Purvis, professor of television journalism at The City University and former editor-in-chief of the Independent Television Network (ITN). Adrian Monck, head of journalism and publishing at The City University and former journalist for CBS News, ITN and Sky News, will chair the debate.

The Tully Center was founded in 2006 with a bequest from Joan Tully ’69, a former editor and lawyer who cared deeply about protecting and promoting freedom of speech. For more information about the event or the Tully Center, contact Fought at (011 44) 207 400 9310 or bcfought@syr.edu.