CNN Pressroom - CNN.com this week will sponsor 19 journalists from leading minority journalism associations for the network’s first-ever Digital Media Workshop. During the two-day workshop, journalists across the media spectrum will engage in coursework designed to develop, update and sharpen their digital reporting and production skills.

“As the distribution of news evolves, there is a real need for concentrated digital media training,” said Mitch Gelman, senior vice president and senior executive producer for CNN.com. “I am pleased that we are able to provide an innovative learning environment and exposure to this fast-evolving digital media landscape.”

On Thursday, April 24, and Friday, April 25, participants will take part in the all-expense-paid workshop conducted by CNN.com’s award-winning team. Highlights of the program include hands-on training with production tools designed to tell a multi-platform story, instruction in engaging and managing user participation and the opportunity for guidance from members of CNN’s executive management team.

Participants are current members of at least one of six leading minority journalism organizations, including the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), the South Asian Journalist Association and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA).

“Over the past three years, CNN has contributed more than $1.2 million to the scholarship funds of the major minority journalism organizations to support the next generation of journalists and bring student journalists into the industry’s pipeline,” said Johnita Due, senior counsel for CNN Worldwide and chair of its Diversity Council. “With this Digital Media Workshop, we are able to have a lasting impact on top practicing journalists by sharing the cutting-edge skills necessary to remain relevant and to excel in this age of digital news.”



The 2008 CNN Digital Media Workshop participants and their affiliations include:

· Simone S. Bridges, producer, NYTimes.com (NABJ)

· Stanley B. Chambers, reporter, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. (NABJ)

· Erika Cebreros, associate editor, El Mensajero Newspaper (NAHJ)

· Florangela Davila, writer, lifestyle & culture, The Seattle Times (NAHJ)

· Jigsha Desai, online editor, Knoxnews.com/govolsxtra.com, Knoxville, Tenn. (NAHJ)

· Sara A. Fajardo, photographer, Orlando Sentinel (NAHJ)

· Sharon Ford-Dunn, associate professor, Grambling State University (NABJ)

· Mike Green, content editor, Ashland Daily Tidings, (NABJ)

· Amy Hsuan, staff writer, The Oregonian (AAJA)

· Ko W. Im, freelance news assistant, NY1 (AAJA)

· Joshua Johnson, anchor/reporter, WLRN/Miami Herald News (NLGJA)

· Elio Leturia, visual journalism class supervisor, Columbia College, Chicago (NAHJ)

· Natasha Mitchell, online editor, NewsOK.com/ The Oklahoman (NABJ)

· Victoria Lim, consumer reporter, WFLA-TV, Tampa, Fla. (AAJA)

· Daniel G. Morales, freelance journalist/writer, LaMusica.com, Revista monitor Latino, Quepasa.com (NLGJA)

· Ernesto Mourelo, assistant news director, KVEA Telemundo O&O (NAHJ)

· Franklin Robertson, multimedia editor, Chillicothe Gazette, Ohio (NAJA)

· Nina Sen, reporter, The Hour daily newspaper (SAJA)

· Vino Wong, photographer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AAJA)



CNN.com is the world’s No. 1 destination for online and wireless news, garnering the greatest audience share among current events and global news sites. Launched in 1995, CNN.com draws from the resources of CNN Worldwide and its many partners to provide consumers with the most enriching, immediate interaction with news anywhere, seamlessly combining articles, videos, images, interactive features and user-generated content. CNN.com’s news video offering – both live and on-demand – is unparalleled on the Web. CNN.com’s recent awards include an Edward R. Murrow award, a National Headliner award and two EPpy awards.