Children’s PressLine reporters to discuss the conventions, kids’ issues, and journalism in an online forum

September 1, 2004 – With election coverage saturating the newspapers and nightly news programs of the American media, Connect for Kids and Children’s PressLine are working to provide adults and kids with an unfiltered youth perspective on the election issues affecting their lives.

In the latest edition of Connect for Kids’ TalkTime Live! series, Connect for Kids Executive Editor Susan Phillips will be joined by four kid reporters who had the chance to attend both the Democratic and Republican conventions, interview politicians about their views on kids’ issues, and provide unique reports on the overall process. Children’s PressLine reporters Tarissa Whitely, 16, Laurence James, 13, Natasha Kirtchuk, 12, and Marie Ponsot, 11, will share their experiences at the conventions with the TalkTime Live! audience, and give their impressions of the issues at play in this year’s presidential election, and in journalism today.

TalkTime Live! is a bimonthly online discussion series where expert panelists, concerned parents, educators, advocates and policymakers can openly discuss and ask questions about various issues concerning kids. Previous TalkTime Live! topics have included finding funding for nonprofits, recruiting and retaining foster parents, and books for teens.

What: TalkTime Live! online discussion – kid reporters give their takes on the Democratic and Republican Conventions, politics, and journalism

Who: Tarissa Whitely, 16, Frederick Douglas Academy (Bronx)
Laurence James, 13, Geneva School (Manhattan)
Natasha Kirtchuk, 12, Manhattan Lab School (Brooklyn)
Marie Ponsot, 11, Brooklyn School for International Studies
Susan Phillips, Executive Editor, Connect for Kids

When: Wednesday, September 8, 2004
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET

Where: http://www.connectforkids.org

Participants may send questions for the chat ahead of time. To send questions or obtain additional information about Connect for Kids or TalkTime Live! please e-mail Robert Capriccioso at rob@connectforkids.org. Transcripts of online discussions are also available at http://www.connectforkids.org.