Consumer group to honor media leaders with ethics in telecommunications awards – National Consumers League

September 29, 2009

Contact: 202-835-3323, media@nclnet.org

Washington, D.C.— Media advocates who work daily to empower individuals and promote diversity and democracy in media will gather at The Riverside Church in New York City on Sept. 30 to examine ethics in telecommunications. The 27th annual Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture and Awards, featuring the Rev. Michael Kinnamon, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A., brings together media advocates from across the country and honors individuals whose work embodies the principles and values of advocating for the public interest through social communications.

MEDIA ADVISORY

What: The 27th Annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture and

Awards Reception

When: September 30, 20093:30 PM

Where: The Riverside Church New York City, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027

Why: To honor excellence in media ethics and consumer reporting.

This year’s honorees include:

Patti Miller, Vice President of Public Policy, Sesame Workshop, recipient of the Parker Award.  Sesame Workshop is devoted to developing innovative and educational content for television, radio, print, and interactive media that makes a meaningful difference in children’s development.  The award is given in recognition of an individual whose work embodies the principles and values of the public interest in telecommunications.

Sam Simon, Chairman, Amplify Public Affairs; Fellow, Intersections; and Founder and Former President, TRAC, recipient of the Donald H. McGannon Award.  Simon is being honored for his lifetime of media advocacy work on behalf of minority consumers. The McGannon Award is given in recognition of special contributions in advancing the roles of women and persons of color in the media.

Ben Popken and Meghann Marco, Co-Executive Editors of the popular blog “The Consumerist.” This award is given in recognition of efforts to educate and enable consumers to use technology as a toll of empowerment.

The event is free and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested.  Online registration is available here or for more information, contact Jeff Woodar at woodardj@ucc.org.

The Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications Lecture was created in 1982 to recognize OC, Inc. founder the Rev. Dr. Everett C. Parker and his pioneering work as an advocate for the public’s rights in broadcasting. It is the only lecture in the country to examine telecommunications and the digital age from an ethical perspective. Past speakers include network presidents, Congressional leaders, FCC chairs and commissioners, as well as academics, cable and telephone executives and journalists. It is funded by the communications industry, particularly broadcasters, along with the communication offices of major faith groups. The Parker Lecture is sponsored by the United Church of Christ’s Office of Communication (OC, Inc.) and the Telecommunications Research and Action Center (TRAC), a program of the National Consumers League.

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About the National Consumers League and TRAC

The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.

The Telecommunications Research & Action Center is a non-profit education and advocacy organization for residential and small business communications consumers. TRAC produces consumer guides, comparison charts, brochures, and online content dedicated to helping consumers navigate the often complex world of communications devices and services. TRAC is based in Washington, DC