Upcoming Talks on "Media and Democracy in Venezuela"

You are invited to attend a presentation and discussion on "Media and Democracy in Venezuela" at one of the following dates:

- Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7:00 pm, Westport Coffee House, 4010 Pennsylvania, Kansas City, Missouri
- Saturday, September 29, 11:00 am, Honkerbean's Coffee House, 1196 NE Douglas, Lee's Summit, Misouri
- Monday, October 15, 7:00 pm, Amnesty International #115 meeting, All Souls Unitarian Church, 4501 Walnut Street, Kansas City, MO
- Saturday, October 20, 1:00 pm, Homer's Coffee House, 7126 W 80th Str - 80th & Metcalf, Overland Park, KS

Description of the presentation:
US government officials accuse Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez of undermining the news media in that country. US news media depict the Venezuelan social and economic model as a dictatorship. In July 2007 Matt Quinn participated in a Reality Tour organized by Global Exchange, which met with 15 Venezuelan media and community organizations, including several private media outlets, opposition political parties, as well as groups in poor communities. He will share photos and a report from the tour. How has mass media in Venezuela been impacted by the sweeping social changes? Why is it important for progressives to understand what is happening in Venezuela? What lessons can be learned on community organizing?

Background
Matt Quinn lives in Lee's Summit, works as a project manager for an information technology company and organizes for Citizens for Justice in the Middle East and KC Iraq Task Force. Global Exchange is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. Reality Tours organizes trips to over 30 countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

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