Aspen Institute to Present Findings on Barriers to Connectivity and the Freedom to Communicate in the Americas

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

What: On Monday, October 1, 2012, the Aspen Institute Communications and Society Program will release a new report detailing eight major barriers to connectivity and the freedom to communicate in the Americas and five recommendations for overcoming these barriers.The report, Freedom and Connectivity: Advancing the Freedom to Communicate in the Americas, captures the insights and recommendations of a distinguished group of business, government, journalism and academic leaders and experts from the United States and Latin America who met earlier this year in Mexico City for the inaugural Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate. A light lunch will be served.

Who:  Alec Ross, Senior Advisor for Innovation, U.S. Department of State
          Ricardo B. Salinas, Founder and Chairman, Grupo Salinas
          Sergio Sarmiento, Distinguished Journalist, Syndicated Columnist, 
          Radio and TV Host, TV Azteca 
          Charlie Firestone, Executive Director, Aspen Institute Communications & Society 
          Program (moderator)

The session will feature a presentation of the report and its recommendations followed by comments from the featured speakers.  The report addresses issues of connectivity, telecommunications investment and competition, innovation and censorship in Mexico and throughout the Americas. Following the featured speakers' remarks, Charlie Firestone will moderate a discussion among all invited guests that explores the challenges to the freedom to communicate at this pivotal time in the global development of both democracy and digital technologies.

When: Monday, October 1, 2012, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. EDT

Where: The Aspen Institute, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 700, Washington, D.C.

Follow on Web or Twitter: The event will be streamed live at www.aspeninstitute.org/freedom2c. Join the discussion on Twitter at hashtag #freedom2c or by following @aspencs.

Media who are interested in attending should contact Kiahna Williams at [email protected] or 202.736.5818

The Aspen Institute Forum on the Freedom to Communicate addresses issues surrounding the freedoms of expression, association, and connectivity and develops actionable recommendations that can enhance these freedoms, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. 

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

SOURCE Aspen Institute; Grupo Salinas