MEDIA CONTACT: Charles Loebbaka at 847-491-4887 or c-loebbaka@northwestern.edu

August 12, 2004

University Hosts Workshop on Bioterrorism

Mary J.C. Hendrix

Tom Ridge

CHICAGO --- Northwestern University was host Wednesday (Aug. 12) to a workshop on the crucial role of the media in reporting on a bioterrorist attack.

The workshop featured remarks by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge and Mary J.C. Hendrix, professor of pediatrics at the Feinberg School of Medicine and president and scientific director of the Children’s Memorial Research Center. Hendrix spoke on the importance of scientific research, technology and development in addressing the need for an effective response to a bioterrorist attack.

They spoke to more than 100 journalists and news managers, public information officers, science and public health experts, emergency managers, and other officials at the presentation in Kellogg School of Management facilities in Wieboldt Hall on the Chicago campus.

The workshop, produced by the Radio-Television News Directors Foundation (RTNDF), examined communication in a time of crisis -- what works and what needs work -- and provided background on potential terrorist threats and guidance on how journalists and public information officers can better prepare for what might happen next.

The RTNDF produced the program in association with the National Academies and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 to prevent and deter terrorist attacks and protect against and respond to threats and hazards to the nation.

The National Academies is composed of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council.

RTNDF provides training programs, seminars, scholarship support and research in areas of critical concern to electronic news professionals and their audiences. The foundation’s work is supported by contributions from foundations, corporations, members of the Radio-Television News Directors Association and other individuals.