Featured panelists include Alec Ross, Ray Suarez, and Reed Hundt

MEXICO CITY, Feb. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On February 22nd the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program, in association with Grupo Salinas will host the inaugural Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate. The Forum plans to address issues surrounding the freedoms of expression, association, and connectivity in the 21st Century. Its aim is to arrive at actionable steps by Mexican authorities that can enhance the freedoms of communication in that country.  Future forums will travel to other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

The Forum will feature four substantive panel sessions: Freedom and Connectedness, Journalism in the New Media Ecosystem, An Enabling Environment for the Freedom to Communicate, and Conclusions and Recommendations.

When: Wednesday, February 22, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm CST

Where: Tecnologico de Monterrey, C/ Puente 222, Col. Ejidos de Huipulco, Mexico City, MEXICO

Who:
Panelists/Speakers include:

• Joaquin Alvarado, vice president of digital innovation, American Public Media
• Mony de Swaan Addati, chairman, Federal Telecommunications Commission of Communications of Mexico (COFETEL)
• Fernando Gutierrez, director, Communications and Art, Tecnologico de Monterrey
• Federico Reyes Heroles, president, Fundacion Este Pais
• Reed Hundt, former chairman, U.S. Federal Communications Commission
• Walter Isaacson, president, Aspen Institute
• Carlos Lauria, senior america programs coordinator, Committee to Protect Journalists
• Monica Lozano, executive VP, ImpreMedia
• Maria Elena Meneses, professor and coordinator of the fellowship in information society, Tecnologico de Monterrey
• Andres Roemer, executive director, Poder Civico
• Alec Ross, senior advisor for innovation, U.S. Department of State
• Ricardo Salinas, president and founder, Grupo Salinas
• Hector Schamis, adjunct professor, latin american studies, Georgetown University
• Ray Suarez, senior correspondent, PBS News Hour
• Esther Vargas, journalist and director of journalism Classes, Peru 21
• Enrique Tames, dean of the school of humanities, Tecnologico de Monterrey

Moderators will be Charlie Firestone, The Aspen Institute, and Sergio Sarmiento, TV Azteca. 

This event will be streamed on the web at http://as.pn/freedom2c. Join the discussion on Twitter at hashtag #freedom2c.

The Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program serves as a non-partisan venue for global leaders and experts to exchange insights on the societal impact of advances in digital technology and network communications. It also creates a multidisciplinary space in the communications policy-making world where veteran and emerging decision-makers can explore new concepts and develop new policy networks. Visit us on the web at www.aspeninstitute.org/c&s and follow on Twitter @aspencs

Grupo Salinas is a group of dynamic, fast-growing and technologically advanced companies, focused on creating shareholder value, and improving society through excellence. By making technology available to all levels of society, Grupo Salinas promotes the development of the countries where it operates.  Follow on Twitter @GrupoSalinas_GS

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has offices in New York City and an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org. 

SOURCE The Aspen Institute

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