Continental Cub Reporters study media literacy up-close at national political conventions; Cub Reporter from Florida to be featured today on NewsTalk Television.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1996-- Mingling with Members of Congress and interviewing national journalists, politicians, and officials, 20 middle and high school students from Continental Cablevision service areas across the country gained a clearer view of the relationship between politics and the media at the national political conventions this summer.

The students, from five states, covered the conventions as part of Continental's Cub Reporter program and are part of the nationwide team of young media monitors observing coverage of the '96 presidential campaign.

Ranging in age from 12 to 18, the Cub Reporters at the conventions visited with, and interviewed, members of the news media, as well as Senators, Congressman, delegates, and convention organizers in a "hands-on" analytical view of political conventions and the media's coverage of them.

The Continental Cub Reporter program is a component of View Smart to Vote Smart, Continental's multi-faceted voter education effort designed to educate voters and future voters on how to analytically view the media's campaign coverage.

As part of the critical viewing experience, the students met with programming executives from C-SPAN; correspondents and anchors from CNN; reporters, producers and interns from MS/NBC; reporter Allison Stewart from MTV; and they toured the offices of The Chicago Tribune. The interactive sessions with the media inspired some to think about a journalism career, while others admitted the experience convinced them they would rather do something else. They also gained a keener understanding of how to critically view television.

"Before (getting involved in) View Smart to Vote Smart, I never realized there are different ways to watch TV. Now I actually watch different channels and read stuff and make up my own mind. I've got the rest of my family doing it too," said Shannon Mullin-Keck, 13, of Oak Brook, IL, one of the Cubs who attended the Democratic National Convention. Added Kevin McNamara, 17, of Elk Grove Village, IL -- who also attended the convention -- "I've learned that you're your own self, and you can form opinions without letting yourself just be fed opinions."

Aygemang Clay of Pompano Beach, FL, didn't attend either of the conventions but has been active locally as a Cub Reporter. Clay will be featured in a program segment today on NewsTalk Television. The 14-year-old has produced a report that answers the question: "Are schools failing our kids?" It will be featured as part of the network's special, "Education in America." The report will run on NewsTalk TV's Teen Segment at 5:30 PM EDT today.

The Cub Reporters attending the conventions also produced segments for a national audience. A 30-minute "Cubvention" program was cablecast on Continental Cablevision systems across the country. The program featured a "behind the scenes" look at the convention, features on styles, Internet information and interviews with local delegates.

Among the more than 50 opinion leaders interviewed by the students were:

U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL) U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo (R-CA) U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL) U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL) Michael Dukakis, former Democratic Presidential Candidate Bill Daley, co-chair of the Democratic Convention Committee Alex Spanos, organizer of the Republican National Convention

The students also picked up a taste of the delegates' life by attending state delegation meetings and convention sessions.

"The convention experience gave the Cub Reporters more than just critical viewing skills," according to Nancy Larkin, Continental's Vice President of Community Relations. "The students were given real-world experiences that will benefit them in whatever field they chose. They learned organizational skills in preparing for their interviews and stories; communication skills were sharpened as they interviewed and were interviewed; and interpersonal skills were strengthened as they worked and roomed with youths and adults they had never met before."

The Continental Cub Reporters at the conventions were:

Angela Deeb             17         St. Paul, MN
Gorm Shackelford        16         St. Paul, MN
Josh Wills              18         Jacksonville, FL
Caitlin Hagan           12         Bedford, NH
Richard Baker           18         Stockton, CA
Katie Balicki           16         Lockport Township, IL
Nathan Brown            16         Bolingbrook, IL
Russell Eisenstein      16         Bolingbrook, IL
Amy Fricilone           15         Lockport Township, IL
Tracy Gaydos            16         Joliet, IL
Thomasine Laib          16         Joliet, IL
Stephanie Peterson      17         Lockport Township, IL
Brandye Phillips        15         Joliet, IL
Tom Weber               17         Lincoln-Way, IL
Carrie Lydon            17         Elk Grove Village, IL
Kevin McNamara          17         Elk Grove Village, IL
Esther Yoon             17         Elk Grove Village, IL
Timothy Boyes           17         Elk Grove Village, IL
Sean Eshaghy            13         Oak Brook, IL
Shannon Mullen-Keck     13         Oak Brook, IL

Continental Cablevision, Inc., the nation's third largest broadband telecommunications company, serves more than 4.2 million subscribers in 20 states.

Please visit our Web site at http://www.continental.com

CONTACT: Continental Cablevision

Thom O'Grady, 617/854-3218