ATHENS, Ohio -- A journalism conference at Ohio University that focuses on local audience interest in foreign news will air live on the Internet on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13.

The two-day conference, "What's Local?" will feature news executives and decision makers from the Associated Press, Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch, Cox News Service, Dayton Daily News and iviews.com as well as academics specializing in the study of international news. The conference can be seen at www.scrippsjschool.org/iij.php. RealPlayer is required to view the Webcast.

The program was organized by the Institute for International Journalism at Ohio University with support from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, the Ohio University College of Communication, the Ohio Newspaper Association and Ohio University's Office of International Student and Faculty Services.

"These are difficult times, and news media are going to be expected by audiences to help make the times more understandable," said Robert Stewart, director of the Institute for International Journalism at Ohio University. "It's up to journalists to get a handle on current events if they expect to perform this role on behalf of their readers, viewers and listeners."

Registration is available only through the Ohio University Web site at www.ohiou.edu/noncredit/confschedule.htm. For more information and to view the full schedule, visit the Scripps School on the Web at www.scrippsjschool.org. For more information, contact Robert Stewart at (740) 593-2601 or stewartr@ohiou.edu.