Poynter Institute Announces New Scholarship Program Generously Supported by AmerisourceBergen

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 16, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Poynter Institute for Media Studies, a leader in excellence in journalism and media innovation, has announced that AmerisourceBergen Corporation, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical service companies, has become the initial sponsor of a new scholarship program, which will allow journalists, without the worry of cost, to attend seminars at the Institute on subjects ranging from writing and editing to covering political controversies to telling better stories with multimedia tools. In addition to supporting the scholarship program, AmerisourceBergen is also the lead sponsor with a $50,000 donation for Poynter's May 15 gala dinner and panel, Lessons for Journalism's Playbook: Covering the Field in 2013 and Beyond, held at the Harvard Club of New York City.

"Since 1975, Poynter has been dedicated to teaching and inspiring excellence and integrity in journalism," said Paul Tash, Chairman and CEO of Times Publishing Company and Chairman of Poynter's Board of Trustees. "At a time when truth and rumor battle for daily attention, good journalism matters, and AmerisourceBergen's support of not just our May 15^th event, but also our overall mission through a new scholarship program, allows us to continue to provide programming that trains journalists to ensure that truth prevails."

The Lessons for Journalism's Playbook: Covering the Field in 2013 and Beyond panel discussion focused on the press' 2012 election performance and featured Chuck Todd of NBC News and Katty Kay of BBC, along with Ken Auletta of The New Yorker as the moderator. Also in attendance was Stephanie Cutter of the Obama Campaign, Stuart Stevens of the Romney Campaign and Jimmy Carter IV.

"As the panel discussed, the role of journalism in building a strong democracy has never been more important, and at AmerisourceBergen we understand the critical role media plays in informing citizens—providing accurate and reliable information needed to make decisions affecting all aspects of their lives," said Steven H. Collis, President and Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen. "We are grateful to be able to support the Poynter Institute, which counts Pulitzer Prize winners and new media pioneers among its alumni.  Throughout Poynter's storied history, it has held journalists and journalism to standards of excellence, and we are proud to support the future of that mission."

ABOUT THE POYNTER INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA STUDIES
The Poynter Institute for Media Studies is an international leader in journalism education, and a strategy center that stands for uncompromising excellence in journalism and media. Poynter faculty teach seminars and workshops at the Institute in St. Petersburg, Fla., and at conferences and organizational sites around the world. Its e-learning division, News University (www.NewsU.org) offers the world's largest online journalism curriculum, with more than 250 interactive courses and 250,000 registered users since its inception. The Institute's website, Poynter.org, produces 24-hour coverage of news about media, ethics, technology, and the business of news. The world's top journalists and media innovators come to Poynter to learn – and to teach new generations of reporters, storytellers, media inventors, designers, visual journalists, documentarians and broadcast producers. Poynter is dedicated to building public awareness about journalism, media and discourse that ensures the public good and the democracy that serves it.

About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen is one of the world's largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets. Servicing both healthcare providers and pharmaceutical manufacturers in the pharmaceutical supply channel, the Company provides drug distribution and related services designed to reduce costs and improve patient outcomes. AmerisourceBergen's service solutions range from niche premium logistics and pharmaceutical packaging to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting services. With over $80 billion in annualized revenue, AmerisourceBergen is headquartered in Valley Forge, PA, and employs approximately 13,000 people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #32 on the Fortune 500 list. For more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.

CONTACT: Jessica Blais, 727-482-1313, [email protected], or Michelle Hunt, [email protected]

SOURCE The Poynter Institute