MRE 2008 Conference to focus on new administration and the military

Whether it is John McCain or Barack Obama who will be the president-elect after the November general election, significant changes are anticipated in the defense policy of the new administration. Military Reporters & Editors is uniquely poised with its 2008 conference to provide the media, lawmakers, military officials, teachers, and students the first substantive discussions dealing with defense issues that will face the new president and his cabinet.

This year's conference is scheduled Thursday, Nov 13 to Saturday, Nov. 15 at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street NW, in Washington, D.C., just nine days after the presidential election.

The theme for the conference will be:Military Policy and Media Access in the New Administration: What Can We Expect?

Schedule: 

Thursday, November 13, 2008

6pm to 9pm: MRE Social Night with Tom Ricks, former Washington Post military affairs reporter / Q & A session
(Holeman Lounge at Natl Press Club)

Friday, November 14, 2008

8:30 am: Welcome to the conference / Continental Breakfast

9:00 am - 10:00am: What's Next?: What can we expect from the new administration in terms of defense policy? This panel is expected to include a top policy maker from the winning party and key Washington analysts.

10:10am - 11:10am: Military Justice: A discussion of issues relating to media access to trials at Guantanamo Bay, Article 32 hearings, and courts-martial and whether the new administration will encourage more openness in these proceedings.

11:30am - 1:30pm: Keynote Speaker Kim Dozier address/ Award Ceremony Luncheon

1:45pm - 2:45pm: Ethics and Access: How much transparency should we demand of our sources and how much should we tell the reading/viewing public about the potential conflicts of interest of high-ranking officers and experts we use in stories?

3:00pm - 4:00 pm: Photo/Video Panel: Photographers and videographers will show some of their work while discussing restrictive ground rules in covering military stories the field and at home.

4:00pm - 5:00pm: Going to War and Coming Back: A broad look at the issues that will be at the forefront of military news coverage in the new administration ranging from recruiting and retention to medical issues to VA benefits.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

9:30am: MRE members meeting/ Board Elections at Medill News Service bureau:
The conference will conclude Saturday morning with the election of board members and officers. This year's election is particularly important because there will be a total turnover of officers and several members of the board have indicated they will not be up for re-election. If you are interested in being an MRE board member or officer, please contact Ron Martz at ronmartzmre@gmail.com

 MRE will not have an official conference hotel this year and members attending the conference will be responsible for booking their own rooms.

Registration Click HERE to print a form to register for the conference.

Conference Registration After 9/30/08:

Members: $125

Non-Members $1 50

Students: $25

Active Military: $75