For immediate releaseDecember 1, 2009 For more information:Lindsey Wray (202) 496-1992 LWray@iwmf.org International Women’s Media Foundation Seeks N...

In celebration of its 20th anniversary year, the International Women’s Media Foundation is seeking nominations for the 2010 Courage in Journalism and ...

The board of directors of the International Women’s Media Foundation announced that it has named Liza Gross as its new executive director. Gross, who joined the IWMF board in 2004 and served as co-chair in 2007-08, has served as interim executive director of the foundation since April.

“The board unanimously agreed that Liza is the best person to lead the IWMF as we celebrate our 20th anniversary year,” said Akwe Amosu, IWMF co-chair.

• Read the press release.

For immediate releaseNovember 24, 2009 For more information:Lindsey Wray202-567-2610LWray@iwmf.org International Women’s Media Foundation Names Liza...

The Center for Global Communication Studies announces the launch of an online essay series called NGOs and the News: Exploring a Changing Communications Landscape. The series, produced in collaboration with the Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard University, seeks to explore the increasing activity of civil society actors such as NGOs and advocacy networks and in the news media sphere. Visit the Nieman Web site to participate.

The charges against Chansa Kabwela, an editor at Zambia’s The Post newspaper, have been dropped. Kabwela had been charged with distributing obscene materials after she sent photos of a woman giving birth to Zambia’s vice president and health minister to draw attention to the consequences of a health sector strike. Read the petition by the IWMF on Kabwela’s behalf. Read the IFEX alert about the dropped charges.

The Columbia Graduate School of Journalism is collaborating with the Dart Center on Journalism and Trauma and the Carter Center Mental Health Program to offer "When Veterans Come Home: A Workshop for Working Journalists" on Jan. 7-9, 2010 in Atlanta, Ga.  The workshop will address the special challenges facing local and regional news organizations seeking to improve their coverage of critical issues facing returning veterans, with a special emphasis on journalists in communities with high concentrations of veterans or military families. Apply by Nov. 20. Visit the Dart Center Web site for application information.

The Knight Science Journalism Fellowships are designed for self-motivated journalists who hope to improve their coverage of science, technology, medicine or the environment. The fellowships are part of the Program in Science, Technology, and Society at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and are sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Visit the MIT Web site for details.

The Columbia School of Journalism is seeking applicants from news organization leaders for the Punch Sulzberger News Media Executive Leadership Program’s fourth year, which starts January 25, 2010. The program is offered to 20 high-ranking executives over a 12-month period. During that time, the participants learn to use strategy, innovation, and other critical approaches to undertake challenges confronting their companies. Application deadline is Nov. 20. Visit the Sulzberger Web site for information or to apply.

The deadline for entries for the John H. Oakes Award has been extended to Nov. 20. Also, original stand-alone online work and websites that accompany newsprint projects are now eligible for the award.  The winner receives a $5,000 prize and trip to New York’s Columbia Graduate School of Journalism to appear on a panel on environmental reporting issues. For information or to apply, visit the Columbia Journalism School Web site.

Teresa Rehman, a journalist from India who will be participating in the IWMF’s upcoming South Asia Initiative on Women and HIV/AIDS Policymaking, received a Sanskriti Award for Journalism from the Sanskriti Foundation. The awards recognize talented individuals in various fields who are in the 25-35 age range. Rehman is the principal correspondent for Tehelka news magazine. Read more on the Sanskriti Foundation Web site.

Ann Curry, an IWMF board member and NBC News anchor, is featured on the cover of the November/December issue of Washington Flyer magazine. Curry talks about her work as an anchor and as an investigative reporter. Read the Washington Flyer article.

Reporters Without Borders has released its eighth annual World Press Freedom Index. The worst countries are Eritrea and North Korea. RSF compiles the index on the basis of questionnaires that are completed by journalists and media experts around the world. See the RSF World Press Freedom Index.

The IWMF held a networking event at Americas Society in New York in October, bringing together women journalists to share tips and career advice. IWMF board member Peggy White, publisher of Double X, spoke at the event.

Amira Hass, the 2009 winner of the IWMF Lifetime Achievement Award, spoke at the University of California – Los Angeles about her experiences reporting in Gaza and the books she has written. Read more on UCLA’s Web site.