CNN Press Release - CNN Worldwide, in partnership with Turner BroadcastingSystem, Inc. (TBS, Inc) and 21st Century Leaders, is hosting the fourth annual Leadership Unplugged: A CNN Experience, a week-long program developed exclusively by CNN employees to teach rising high school juniors and seniors in Georgia about media literacy, journalism and personal leadership. Leadership Unplugged takes place June 22-26, 2009, on the campus of Georgia Institute of Technology.

“My CNN colleagues and I are thrilled to offer these exceptional young people a forum to further develop their personal leadership styles, as well as learn more about some of the most critical challenges facing media professionals every day,” said Susan Grant, executive vice president of CNN News Services. “The opportunity to mentor Leadership Unplugged ambassadors is an honor for CNN executives and anchors alike, and we hope each of the students gains as much from the experience as we do each year.”

During the Leadership Unplugged program, 100 high school students - selected from a competitive pool of applicants from across the state of Georgia - will learn how news stories are presented on different platforms, as well as the impact social networking is having on the media landscape. The students will participate in workshops and discussion groups on a range of topics including diversity, ethics in media and audience engagement; and will attend panels and mentoring sessions featuring CNN executives, reporters and anchors including CNN’s Kyra Phillips and Tony Harris; HLN’s Richard Lui; CNN International’s Colleen McEdwards; and CNN.com’s Reggie Aqui and Melissa Long.

The curriculum for Leadership Unplugged is developed by CNN Student News, CNN’s cost-and-commercial-free news program for middle and high school students, and the classes and workshops are led by volunteer employees at CNN and TBS, Inc. After attending the classes and workshops throughout the week, the students work in teams to develop a story idea based upon the lessons they have learned. The week concludes with the student teams presenting their proposals before a panel of judges comprised of CNN and TBS, Inc. executives.

CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world’s most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.

21st Century Leaders, Inc., is a non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire the next generation of Georgia leaders by empowering high school students with essential business and community leadership skills through programs connecting a diverse group of enthusiastic peers and passionate professionals.