3/5/98
Contact: Ralph Izard, 740-593-2589
ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Director Ralph Izard has been appointed a fellow at the Freedom Forum, a non-partisan, international foundation devoted to freedom of the press. Starting in July and based at the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center in New York City, Izard will serve as coordinator of the Forum's International Consortium of Universities.
"Ralph's outstanding experience in journalism and academia make him uniquely qualified to direct the consortium's academic and journalism projects worldwide," said Charles L. Overby, chairman and chief executive officer of The Freedom Forum. "We will draw on his expertise as a researcher of journalism issues on a global scale."
Izard is retiring July 1 after 32 years as a professor at the Scripps School, where he has served as director since 1986. The consortium joins researchers from several universities, including Columbia University, University of Toronto, Chinese University of Hong Kong and Green College of Oxford University. The new consortium will allow scholars and media professionals to investigate and solve problems affecting the news media and the public.
"Selection as a Freedom Forum fellow and working on this special international project is both and honor and an opportunity, tying together many of the activities that have been important to me over the years," Izard said. "The project is designed to stimulate dialogue and research about journalism worldwide. I look forward to experiencing the intellectual stimulation of the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center."
Izard has worked at four bureaus of The Associated Press, on the copy desk of the defunct Columbus Citizen-Journal and as education editor of the Charleston, W.Va., Daily Mail.
In 1992-93, Izard served as president of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communication and served on the Executive Committee and the Professional Freedom and Responsibility Committee of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. He has been active in the Society of Professional Journalists, serving as national vice president for campus chapter affairs from 1976 to 1979 and as Ohio University adviser for 20 years. In 1985, he received the society's highest honor, the Wells Memorial Key.
In 1992, Izard received the Distinguished Service Award from the Central Chapter of SPJ and, in 1994, the Distinguished Service Award from AEJMC's Newspaper Division. He is co-author of two books and has been editor of the Newspaper Research Journal since 1988.
"Ralph Izard brings to The Freedom Forum knowledge and experience that will enrich our work on fairness and in building effective relationships with four major universities to explore issues of the news media on a global basis," said Robert H. Giles, senior vice president of The Freedom Forum.
The Freedom Forum, based in Arlington, Va., is a nonpartisan, international foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. Operating programs of The Freedom Forum are the Media Studies Center in New York City, the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and the Newseum in Arlington. The Media Studies Center is devoted to improving understanding of media issues by the press and the public. Center programs bring journalists, scholars, media industry executives and the public together to examine the media's effects on society.