Todd Gitlin to speak about WikiLeaks at UH forum

Hawaii will get to hear the impact of WikiLeaks and modern media first-hand from a man who on the forefront of sunshine in our governments.

Todd Gitlin is a writer, sociologist, communications scholar, novelist, poet, and chair of the PhD program at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

Gitlin has written several articles for national and international distribution on WikiLeaks. He is one of 19 members of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism who have cosigned a letter to President Barack Obama and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder opposing any prosecution based on Wikileaks’ release of government information.

In a letter to Obama and Holder, the members said: “Any prosecution of WikiLeaks’ staff for receiving, posessing, or publishing classified materials will set a dangerous precedent for reporters in any publication or medium, potentially chilling investigative journalism and other First Amendment-protected activity.”

The presentation by Gitlin will also feature a Hawaii sunshine report on the State’s record of open government, transparency, and freedom of information. Media Council Hawaii will also announce its Fletcher Knebel award to a journalist for best use of freedom of information and open record laws in reporting.

The event is free to the public. For those wishing lunch, there will be a $15 charge, and reservations are necessary. Parking is in the structure accessible from Dole Street.

RSVP online at [email protected] or call (808) 596-2121.

A Presentation by Todd Gitlin
Wednesday, March 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
William S. Richardson Law School
Room CR3