DC SPJ chapter launches 2013-14 event season with focus on new Al Jazeera English Network

The DC Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will kick off its 2013-14 program calendar on Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., featuring Hebah Abdalla, senior interview producer with Al Jazeera English (AJE), and Lisa Fletcher, host of the network’s “The Stream” program.  The program will be co-hosted by the MEDILL Washington Program and the MEDILL National Security Journalism Initiative of Northwestern University. The location is 1325 G. St. NW, Room 730, which is a short walk from the METRO CENTER subway stop.

Ms. Abdalla was a member of the team that helped to launch Al Jazeera’s English-language center in Washington on Aug. 20, as well as the award- winning social media news program, “The Stream.” Prior to joining AJE, she worked in news production for CNN and as an assignment editor for the its “World Report.” She was also an assignment editor at the DBS affiliate, WBNS-TV in Columbus Ohio.  Ms. Abdalla received a regional Emmy Award as an assignment producer and in 2011 was part of the team that won a Peabody Award for its coverage of the Arab Spring uprisings. A graduate of Ohio University and the Ohio State University, she also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Council at Ohio University’s Scripps School of Journalism.

Reservations are requested and can be made through Carl Ericson at ceje39@aol.com or at 703-644-0961.  You can either pay at the door or mail a check to SPJ, PO Box 19555, Washington, DC 20036-0555. Tickets are $7 for SPJ local members or student members with an ID, or $9 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served along with wine and soft drinks. And participants receive free tickets for door prizes supplied by AJE.

*** Also mark your calendars for SPJ’s other upcoming events. 

  • On Wednesday, Nov. 20, SPJ will co-host a program with George Washington University’s School for Media and Public Affairs, 805 – 21st St.NW, Washington, DC 20052, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Room 307. It is a short distance from the Foggy Bottom METRO. Speaker will be Christopher Weyant, political cartoonist for The HILL Newspaper and NEW YORKER Magazine.
  • On Tuesday, Dec. 3, SPJ members and guests will tour the new $238 million headquarters of National Public Radio at 1111 N. Capitol St.NE, with tours at 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. followed by the annual Holiday Party at the Hilton Garden Inn, 1225 First St. NE, Washington, DC. Both sites can be accessed from either Union Station or NOMA on the METRO Red Line. Details: burnskathy@earthlink.net

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