Newspaper Commentary Touts Feb. 27 Panel; Oahu Civil Defense Agrees To Participate

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin published CHORE's commentary yesterday on next week's panel discussion sponsored by the Honolulu Community Media Council.

Not mentioned in the piece was the equallly quick decision by Oahu Civil Defense to join the panel discussion on "Media and Emergency Response." State Civil Defense, which has taken the brunt of critical comment about the October 15th Earthquake Sunday communications failures, has yet to accept a similar invitation to participate.

It should be emphasized that the Media Council meeting won't be a game of Gotcha. Its sponsor is a highly respected organization of volunteers -- the oldest of the three volunteer media councils that exist in the United States. The Council is composed of individuals from the community and media and is a non- partisan, non-profit, non-governmental independent group that seeks to improve public access to information, strengthen public support for First Amendment rights and freedoms, broaden public understanding of the role of the media, and promote accurate and fair journalism in Hawaii.

Next week's panel discussion will explore how the media are improving their ability to respond to emergencies that island residents frequently must confront -- hurricanes, tsunamis, power blackouts, volcanic eruptions, floods, freeway closures.... It's a subject worthy of public interest and involvement, and the public is invited to attend and participate in the discussion from the floor.

Reservations can be made through Friday February 23rd by calling 596-2121. The luncheon's cost is $20, paid at the door. Registration begins at 11:30, and the panel discussion will conclude at 1:30.