Embedded Journalist Program Expanded to Bring More of French and Indian War to Life
14 September 2006 - 3:25AM
PR Newswire (US)
17 colorful historical accounts by "Phineus Cobb," embedded
journalist with the Pennsylvania Gazette PITTSBURGH, Sept. 13
/PRNewswire/ -- A newly expanded Embedded Journalist program
launched today, which will feature new and exciting reports on the
French and Indian War from a fictitious 18th Century reporter
similar to the modern-day embedded journalist. The program,
developed by French and Indian War 250, Inc., is being released as
part of a number of initiatives to commemorate the war's 250th
anniversary, including "The War That Made America," a four-hour
dramatic documentary that premiered nationally on PBS stations
earlier this year. "I look forward to receiving accounts from the
front by Phineus Cobb," said Jim Wetzler, Program Facilitator,
Pennsylvania Educational Alliance. "I have teachers in my workshop
elaborate on the embedded journalist's report by exploring what led
up to the event and what we may expect to happen next. The program
offers a number of exciting activities and in the process you learn
about the French and Indian War." The reports come from Phineus
Cobb, a fictional newspaper reporter, and are written in the style
of the time with some adaptation to account for a wide variety of
registrant reading levels. Cobb is the creation of David Dixon,
PhD, professor of American History, Slippery Rock University.
Cobb's accounts themselves were written by Dixon to ensure not only
historical accuracy, but also the integrity of the persona of Cobb
and to give his accounts a believable and authentic feel. "Our
original Embedded Journalist program was so well-received we
decided to add new accounts to infuse even more history and energy
into the program," said Debbie Corll, project manager for French
and Indian War 250, Inc. "Our aim is to engage people's interest in
this critical time in our country's history and the embedded
journalist concept makes it relevant to them, it helps them
connect. We're proud to have been able to generate excitement
around this influential period of history." To register for this
innovative program, visit http://www.frenchandindianwar250.org/ and
click on the Embedded Journalist icon on the home page. Then, once
a week for the next 17 weeks, a series of "field reports" will be
sent to registrants via email. Presented in chronological order,
these reports will cover several pivotal and poignant events that
demonstrate not only the short-term effects they had in determining
the course of the war, but also hint at the fact that without the
events begun in 1754 near present day Pittsburgh, Pa., there would
not have been the American Revolution in 1776. For more information
about the Embedded Journalist program and the numerous historic
sites associated with the War, visit
http://www.frenchandindianwar250.org/, or call 412-281-4783 ext.
3135. French and Indian War 250, Inc., is spearheading the national
commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian
War; the commemoration began in 2004 and continues throughout the
decade. French and Indian War 250, Inc., is developing and
coordinating programs and educational resources to raise awareness
of this significant period in history. Based in Pittsburgh, Pa.,
French and Indian War 250, Inc., is an initiative of the Allegheny
Conference on Community Development. DATASOURCE: French and Indian
War 250, Inc. CONTACT: Paul O'Rourke, APR, , or Brooke Werner, ,
both of Pipitone Group, +1-412-321-0879, for French and Indian War
250, Inc. Web site: http://www.frenchandindianwar250.org/
Copyright