Dr. George Esper has spent the past 10 years preparing West Virginia University P.I. Reed School of Journalism students for careers in the media industry. Now he will share his experiences as a veteran war correspondent with students at several Polish universities.

Esper—who covered the Vietnam War, the first Gulf War in 1991, as well as U.S. peace missions in Somalia and Bosnia—was invited by the U.S. Consulate in Krakow, Poland, to participate in a digital video conference discussing the ethical and legal aspects of reporting on foreign wars Oct. 19.

Part of a larger two-day conference on war correspondents, the one-hour video conference, “War Correspondent: Goals, Possibilities, Legal Issues and Independence – American Perspective,” is a joint effort among the U.S. Consulate in Krakow; the Institute of Journalism and Social Communication at Jagiellonian University in Krakow; the Society of Journalism Studies in Poland and Polish Radio Rzeszow.

Esper said it is a great honor to participate in such an important event – one which will address key issues in the journalism industry.

“Unlike engineers, we cannot turn to mathematical equations for solutions,” said Esper. “Unlike lawyers, we cannot turn to dusty tomes for precedent. Our guide is our conscience and the conscience of our media, fairness and accuracy, maintaining the highest reporting and ethical standards, on which our reputation rests. This conference will address these vital issues, the importance of an independent media and freedom of the press.”

Esper reported for the Associated Press for 42 years. In addition to his war coverage, he reported on many major stories in the U.S., including Hurricane Andrew, the great Midwest floods and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City. He is one of a handful of AP reporters to earn the title of AP Special Correspondent.

After retiring from the AP, Esper returned to his alma mater to teach in the WVU P.I. Reed School of Journalism in the spring semester of 2000. Since Fall 2000, he has served as the School’s Ogden Newspapers Visiting Professor in Journalism. He teaches writing and reporting and journalism history.

—WVU—
cv/10/18/10

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CONTACT: Kimberly Brown, School of Journalism
304-293-3505 ext. 5403