The Freedom Forum/ASNE International Journalism Exchange has assigned the visiting editors to residencies at American newspapers. The goals of the program are to strengthen newsroom management in countries where press freedom is taking root and bring an international perspective to U.S. newspapers.

The Freedom Forum, which has funded the program for the last four years, has announced a $100,000 grant for the exchange in 1998.

Sandra Mims Rowe, editor of The Oregonian, Portland, and ASNE president, said the program has emerged as one of ASNE’s key initiatives because there are lasting benefits for both the visiting editors and the host newsrooms.

"This type of hands-on training program has a significant impact in improving the free flow of information around the world. The visiting editors see for themselves how independent newspapers function in a free market society. And the host newspapers benefit from the perspectives and experiences of their colleagues from around the world."

Charles L. Overby, chairman and CEO of The Freedom Forum, said: "Programs such as The Freedom Forum/ASNE International Journalism Exchange result in a heightened awareness of the value of a free press throughout the world."

Since 1984, when ASNE created the project, 127 newspaper professionals have participated in the exchange. The 1997 participants were chosen from 142 applicants representing 59 countries.

The 1997 exchange will begin on Oct. 8 with a three-day orientation session in Washington, D.C. The visiting editors will then participate in a four week program at the host newspapers from Oct. 13 to Nov. 7. The visiting editors will complete the program Nov. 10-11 with two days of appointments and seminars in New York City.

The program is administered for The Freedom Forum and ASNE by the International Center for Journalists in Washington.

The 1997 participants work for newspapers in Albania, China, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Russia and Tajikistan.

They and their host newspapers are:

• Francisco Chamorro, chief editor, El Nuevo Diario; Managua, Nicaragua — The Miami Herald.
• Irina Eranova, deputy editor-in-chief, Vecherniy Novosibirsk; Novosibirsk, Russia — The Boston Globe.
• Juan L. Font, deputy editor-in-chief, El Periodico; Guatemala City, Guatemala —The Sacramento (Calif.) Bee.
• Ilir Gjoni, deputy editor-in-chief, Koha Jone; Tirana, Albania — The Press Enterprise, Riverside, Calif.
• Eleum Emeka Izeze, editor, The Guardian; Lagos, Nigeria — The Philadelphia Inquirer.
• Li Bo Lin, deputy editor-in-chief, GD-HK Information Daily; Guangzhou, China — USA Today International, Arlington, Va.
• Ali Murtadlo, managing editor, Jawa Pos; Surabaya, Indonesia — Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram.
• Artur Ricardo, editor-in-chief, Diario De Mozambique; Beira, Mozambique — The Mobile (Ala.) Register.
• Lidiya Savina, deputy editor-in-chief, Vecherny Bishkek; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — Star-Tribune, Minneapolis.
• Andrey Sidorin, deputy editor-in-chief, Posuh Newspaper; Dushanbe, Tajikistan — The Deseret News, Salt Lake City.

The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan, nonprofit international foundation dedicated to free press, free speech and free spirit for all people. The foundation, based in Arlington, Va., pursues its priorities through programs including conferences, educational activities, publishing, broadcasting, online services, fellowships, partnerships, training and research.

The American Society of Newspaper Editors, with 840 members, is an organization of the main editors of daily newspapers in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1922, ASNE focuses on the professional development of its members and journalism-related issues, including the First Amendment, newsroom staff diversity, editorial innovation, and the newspaper’s role in providing information necessary to the informed practice of citizenship.

The International Center for Journalists, founded in 1984, shares professional knowledge and information with journalists and their news organizations around the world. A nonprofit, independent institute, ICFJ provides a full range of professional training, educational programs and media research.