JOURNALIST, AUTHOR MARIA ARMOUDIAN TO SPEAK AT ‘ANC GRASSROOTS’ WORKSHOP ON ADVOCACY THROUGH MEDIA
KPFK Radio Host to Discuss Role of Media in Transformational Politics
September 22, 2011
GLENDALE, CA — The Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) has announced that Maria Armoudian will serve as a panelist in the ANC Grassroots workshop on activism through convergent and social media. The workshop is part of the ANC Grassroots weekend that will take place from Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, 2011, at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
Capitalizing on the proliferation of convergent and social media outlets – such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, and the online portals for major media organizations – is integral to the Armenian Cause. Media coverage is a vital part of the Armenian Cause, and providing the media with facts, resources and accurate information is crucial to preserving the historical record and countering genocide denial.
Author Maria Armoudian is a veteran journalist who has written for Daily Variety, Billboard, and Business Week. Her work has also been syndicated by both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times Syndicates. She is currently the host and producer of the weekly public affairs show “The Insighters” on KPFK. Armoudian is a fellow at the Center for International Studies at the University of Southern California.
In her recent, critically acclaimed book ‘Kill the Messenger: The Media’s Role in the Fate of the World,’ Armoudian demonstrates vividly the consequences of an absent or unethical media. In some instances, such as Rwanda, the Bosnian War, and the Holocaust, the media instigated further conflict. In other cases, journalists helped facilitate peace and understanding between war-torn peoples simply by accurately and ethically reporting the news. Journalists helped protect human rights and foster democratization in South Africa, Taiwan, Mexico, and Senegal, while media professionals aided both the destruction and rebuilding of democracy in Chile.
The book was undergirded by Armoudian’s doctoral studies into the causes of genocide, war, peacemaking, democratization, and the protection of human rights and the environment. In addition to her decades in journalism, Armoudian also has nearly 20 years of public sector experience having worked as a legislative consultant in the California Legislature focusing on corporate reform, environmental protection, government accountability and civil rights. She was recently appointed to the Los Angeles City Taxicab Commission. From 2005 to 2010, she served on the City of Los Angeles Environmental Affairs Commission where she helped develop and oversee the City’s sustainability plan.
Throughout her career, Armoudian has been actively involved in the community and in civic engagement efforts. She is a board member of the Los Angeles League of Conservation Voters, has served on the board of the Pacifica Foundation and is a past president of Southern California Americans for Democratic Action.
Armoudian is a Ph.D. candidate in Politics and International Relations at the University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in political science from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
The three-day ANC Grassroots program is the first in a groundbreaking series of workshops, conferences and seminars that will educate the community about civic leadership arising from grassroots efforts. ANC Grassroots will bookend the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) Annual Banquet, which will take place on Saturday, November 26 at 7 p.m.
The conference and Annual Banquet are open to interested individuals throughout the entire United States, and participants are encouraged to register early.
Tickets for ANC Grassroots, which includes the Friday night cocktail in the Starview Room; as well as conference sessions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, which include breakfast, post-banquet dance, and a keynote luncheon on Sunday, are $150. Tickets for the Annual Banquet are $200. Those interested in attending the Annual Banquet and ANC Grassroots can purchase a package for $300.
Students with valid ID can purchase discounted tickets to the Annual Banquet and Conference.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.