CNN Donates $50,000 to NAJA's Scholarship Program

CNN has pledged $50,000 to NAJA's scholarship program for broadcast students as both organizations continue to work together to boost the number of Native people involved in broadcast journalism.

NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release

Contact: Mike Kellogg, Board President, 405-372-5000, ext. 290
Kim Baca, Interim Executive Director, (605) 677-5282

CNN DONATES $50,000 TO NAJA'S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

VERMILLION, SD--Jan. 20, 2006--CNN has pledged $50,000 to NAJA's scholarship program for broadcast students as both organizations continue to work together to boost the number of Native people involved in broadcast journalism.

"This is good news," NAJA President Mike Kellogg (Navajo) said. "NAJA awarded more than $25,000 in scholarships last year and each year we see more requests from students. We're delighted that in the coming years we'll be able to help more of our future broadcasters."

This most recent gift continues CNN's generous support for Native journalism and journalists of color.

"In today's world, it is imperative that a news organization such as CNN employ a diversity of journalists that reflect the diversity of the world they cover," said Jim Walton, CNN Worldwide president. "To that end, this donation helps ensure that CNN and other news organizations encourage more minority students to consider journalism as a career."

CNN also says it will work with NAJA to get more Native students involved in broadcast journalism through internships, as well as train broadcast journalists during the 2006 convention. The network is planning a seminar at NAJA's 2006 convention in Tulsa, Okla., to share its vast experience covering natural disasters--from wildfires to floods to the recent hurricanes along the Gulf Coast.

In addition to a seminar, CNN has pledged support for the 2006 and 2007 conventions in Tulsa and Denver. The network was also a major sponsor of the 2005 annual convention in Lincoln, Neb.

NAJA Executive Director Kim Baca (Navajo/Santa Clara Pueblo) says working with CNN will help NAJA accomplish NAJA's mission of enriching journalism and increasing diversity.

"Native Americans continue to be the most underrepresented group in TV. Receiving this gift is a positive step in rectifying this situation. NAJA is addressing the lack of Native Americans in the broadcast field by creating programs to attract Native students where career interests start," Baca said, adding that NAJA is working with the Radio-Television News Directors Foundation for a weeklong summer high school radio program in 2007.

"With CNN's and other broadcasters' help, we can aid in creating new avenues for Native students and radio and television professionals," she said.