Journalist to speak about her work protecting press freedoms in Africa

International journalist and former university professor Michelle Betz will speak about her experiences supporting press freedoms in sub-Saharan Africa as part of a newsmaker luncheon on March 29 in Hilo.

Sponsored by the Big Island Press Club, the talk is from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Coqui’s Hideaway. There is no fee for the event, but attendees are required to purchase their own meal.

Betz has had a fascinating international career, reporting from more than 20 countries with much of her work focusing on conflict sensitive journalism and rapid response work to conflict zones, particularly in Africa.

Among the experiences she’ll be sharing at the March luncheon include being charged and convicted in absentia in Egypt and ongoing crackdowns on press there and elsewhere.

Founded in 1967, the Big Island Press Club is the state’s oldest and most active press club with members from media outlets throughout Hawaii Island. Every year the organization provides more than $4,500 in scholarships to aspiring journalists.

For more information, contact BIPC events committee chairwoman Denise Laitinen at info@bigislandpressclub.org or 281-3497 or visit www.BigIslandPressClub.org.