July 12, 2007 "“ PCI-Media Impact, a global not-for-profit producer of TV and radio shows in over 25 countries, announced today the eight Peruvian journalists selected to travel to the U.S. as part of the Peru-American Exchange Program (PAX). PAX, a PCI-Media Impact initiative supported by the U.S. Department of State, promotes professional standards in journalism through responsible, accurate, and ethical coverage of democracy and development issues. The exchange aims to foster mutual understanding, networking opportunities, local capacity building and sustainable partnerships between Peruvian and U.S. radio journalists and media institutions.

Over 100 radio journalists, hosts, and producers from outside of the capital city of Lima applied to participate in the PAX program. Following an initial training in Peru earlier this year, eight journalists have now been selected to travel to the U.S. this September to take part in the program’s next phase: an intensive five-week program involving media training and internships at U.S. radio stations.

The eight journalists hail from all over the country, representing the diversity of Peru. Their names, network affiliations, and cities are: Yulder Florez Aguirre (Radio Inty Raimy - Cusco), María del Rocío Farfán Manrique (Radio Cutivalú - Piura), Julia Soledad Rosario Mamani (Radio Sol de los Andes - Puno), Cecilio Soria Gonzales (Radio Frontera - Ucayli), Wilmer Fortunato Hidalgo Huamán (Radio Amazónica - Junín), Leonardo Alfredo Ccori Vargas (Radio Yaraví -Arequipa), Oscar Martín Fajardo Gallego (Chami Radio - La Libertad), Enith Alcidia Fasanando Tello (Radio Tropical - San Martin).

"The participants make this such an exciting program," said PCI-Media Impact Director of Programs, Natalia Vaccarezza. "We have a truly exceptional group representing women, youth, rural communities, indigenous groups, and disabled populations. Many broadcast bilingually in Quechua and Aymara. Each one is talented, committed, and passionate about reaching communities that are often underserved by mainstream media. They see this as a unique opportunity to impact not only their own lives, but their communities, their country, and their U.S. counterparts."

Once in the U.S., the Peruvian journalists join U.S. radio journalists in a week-long media training in San Francisco, California, organized by PCI-Media Impact and its partner, New America Media (NAM). A consortium of over 700 ethnic media outlets around the U.S., NAM produces and brings together editorial content from and for the national ethnic media sector. After the training, each participant will begin a month-long professional internship at a U.S. radio station where they will work together with U.S. journalists and radio broadcasters to produce community-oriented programming.

"To be able to share our life experiences, our work, culture, civic participation and democracy, through radio, is an invaluable opportunity for us," wrote participant, Julia Soledad Rosario Mamani of Radio Sol de los Andes. "The experience will allow me to contribute to my region and my country’s development."

In the program's final phase, U.S. media professionals will travel to Peru to exchange best practices and gain a better understanding of media, democracy, and diversity issues within Peru. The program aims to create lasting cross-cultural partnerships between the U.S. and Peruvian journalists and broadcasters.

Since its founding, PCI-Media Impact has co-produced more than 75 radio and TV programs in 27 countries, reaching an estimated audience of 153 million people worldwide in the last three years alone. Plans are in the works for new programs and partnerships in Central Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. To learn more about PCI-Media Impact or to discover our redesigned website "“ relaunching this summer "“ go to www.pci-mediaimpact.org.

About PCI-Media Impact

Since 1985, PCI-Media Impact programs have addressed the root causes of poverty and have encouraged people to make choices that lead to better health and sustainable development. Working with local partners worldwide, PCI-Media Impact produces carefully researched and culturally-sensitive radio and television dramas that combine the power of storytelling with the reach of broadcast media. For more information, please visit PCI-Media Impact's website at www.pci-mediaimpact.org

PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact

PCI-Media Impact is at the forefront of innovative social change communications programming. Its pioneering approach uses creative media, the power of storytelling and the reach of broadcast media to mobilize individual, community and political action in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV/AIDS, environmental conservation and sustainable development, human rights and democracy.

For over twenty years, its programming has captured people's imagination. Media Impact has trained hundreds of organizations and community leaders in the effective use of media. Working with media professionals, it has completed more than 242 productions, including radio and television serial dramas, comic books, documentaries and public service announcements reaching hundreds of millions of people in 27 countries around the world.

From Mexico to India, Kenya to China, Media Impact has been: "Telling Stories, Saving Lives." For more information, please visit the website at www.mediaimpact.org.

PCI Media Impact Videos:

Click here to watch Who is Media Impact?
Click here to watch Behind the Scenes of PCI Media Impact
Click here to watch Taru Has Changed My Life: Educational Radio Soap Opera

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