PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists (PABJ), in cooperation with Drexel University and the local chapters of National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA), and the Asian-American Journalists Association (AAJA), is proud to announce it is hosting the first 2003 Philadelphia mayoral debate between Democratic Mayor John F. Street and Republican challenger Sam Katz.

CN8 anchor and managing editor Arthur Fennell will moderate.

The one-hour debate, to air live on CN8, The Comcast Network, will take place from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, October 9, 2003 at Drexel University's Mandell Theatre, housed in the Creese Student Union Complex at 33rd and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, PA. CN8 broadcasts to 6.2 million viewers every day from Washington, DC to the New England area.

This is a proud and historic moment for all of the journalism organizations involved, said Denise Clay, PABJ president and a reporter for the Bucks County (PA) Courier Times. For the first time in recent history, voices and issues that aren't traditionally heard in a mayoral campaign will have their say and citizens, through the journalist organizations that represent their communities, will be able to ask to the next leader of Philadelphia city government the questions that are important to them.

Among the issues citizens are concerned about in this election are the economy, public education, the future of Philadelphia, and city services, Clay continued. The panel of journalists will ask tough questions of the candidates to get a clear idea of their vision of the city. We hope the debate provides all residents with the information they will need to make an informed decision on November 4th . We also want to thank Drexel University for providing the location for the debate and CN8 and Radio One for making the debate available to millions of viewers and listeners throughout the Greater Philadelphia region.

Drexel is proud to be hosting the first debate of the 2003 mayoral election on our campus, said University President Constantine Papadakis. A Drexel education prepares students not only for professional success but also to become good citizens. The debate will provide our students with an opportunity to witness the election process first-hand.

It is an honor that CN8 was chosen to provide exclusive coverage of the first televised debate between these two talked-about mayoral candidates, said Jon Gorchow, Vice President & General Manager, CN8. This broadcast event further demonstrates our networks mandate to provide compelling, relevant programming events important to the Comcast Cable viewers we service.

Radio One has the rights to air the entire debate anytime between October 9th and Election Day, which is November 4th . Radio Ones local stations are WPHI (103.9 FM) and WPLY (Y-100 FM). It is the seventh largest radio broadcasting company in the United States and the largest black owned radio broadcasting company. The debate will be broadcast in its entirety during E. Steven Live on WPHI-FM from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12th.

Radio One Philadelphia is proud to be involved as co-sponsor of this historic event, said Lynn Bruder VP/GM Radio One Philadelphia. This is an extraordinary example of the true commitment 103.9 The Beat continues to make to our listeners.

Admittance to the debate in the 424-seat theatre will be by ticket only and the tickets will be distributed to citizens throughout the Delaware Valley by the journalists organizations, Drexel University, and the Street and Katz campaigns.

The debate will feature questions to the candidates from a panel of journalists each selected by the four media organizations. The panelists are Nia Ngina Meeks, reporter, Philadelphia Tribune (PABJ); Alan Tu, senior producer, WHYY-FMs Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane (AAJA); Hassan Sudler, freelance journalist (NGLJA); and Henry Veguilla, host of WYBE-TVs Philly Live: Your Latino Connection. (NAHJ). The moderator is CN8 anchor and managing editor Arthur Fennell.

Fennell served as president of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), which has 3,300 members nationwide, from 1995-1997. During his tenure as President of the NABJ, Fennell was named One of the top 100 most influential African Americans in the country by Ebony Magazine.

We would like to commend the mayoral candidates for agreeing to debate on issues affecting the citys communities of color, said NAHJ National Executive Director Ivn Romn. Too often, the mainstream media fails to cover a candidates position and views on issues affecting these communities.

This is why the debate will provide the residents of Philadelphia the unique opportunity to hear how their next mayor will govern for all segments of society, Romn concluded.

This is a chance for the future leader of Philadelphia to hear from the diversified voices of the city, said Tina Kim, outgoing president of the Philadelphia chapter of the AAJA. Many observers may label this contentious mayoral race in terms of black and white but everyone watching the debate will see Philadelphians of all colors care about the citys future and are ready to put the nominees policies to the test. AAJA Philadelphia is grateful to the PABJ for the hard work in setting up such a unique forum.

Robert Drake, president of the Philadelphia chapter of NLGJA, commented, in the spirit of unity, I am excited to have the local chapter of NLGJA join with our fellow local chapters of the three major journalism associations in order to give the citizens of our city a chance to learn about their candidates for mayor.

PABJ is a not-for-profit organization celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It was founded by journalists concerned about the lack of black journalists in the media and the dearth of coverage of the black community. Many of the original members of the PABJ are also founding members of the NABJ, which began in 1975.

The PABJ works to strengthen ties among African-Americans in all media; sensitize the media to biased news coverage; promote diversity in newsrooms; sponsor scholarships for black high school students interested in journalism; honor excellence and achievement in the media; offer workshops to enhance the skills of black journalists; offer workshops that teach the community how to gain access to the media; and expand job opportunities for black journalists.

For more information about the four journalism organizations, go to their web sites at www.pabj.org (Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists), www.aaja.org/Chapters/Philadelphia (Asian American Journalists Association), www.nlgjaphiladelphia.org (National Gay and Lesbian Journalists Association) and www.nahj.org (National Association of Hispanic Journalists).