FOR RELEASE: Immediate

Contact:Richard T. Kaplar The Media Institute kaplar@clark.net (202) 298-7512

MEDIA ADVISORY NEWS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING LAUNCH OF THE CORNERSTONE PROJECT   10 AM, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2000 NATIONAL PRESS CLUB LISAGOR ROOM WASHINGTON, D.C. The Media Institute will hold a news conference kicking off its Cornerstone Project on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 10 am in the Lisagor Room of the National Press Club in Washington (14th and F Sts., N.W.). The Cornerstone Project is a national three-year program celebrating the First Amendment.  It will include various public education and awareness components including public service announcements and ads, exhibits, books, publications, and a national symposium in Washington.  News conference agenda:  Brief overview of the Cornerstone Project by Media Institute President Patrick Maines Introduction of Cornerstone Advisory Council members* in the audience Brief comments by senior representatives of the four Founding Sponsors -- National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Newspaper Association of America (NAA) American Association of Advertising Agencies (AAAA) Magazine Publishers of America (MPA) Release of a new First Amendment paper by noted constitutional scholar Robert Peck   If possible, please let us know if you can attend by calling Susanna Coto or Rick Kaplar at 202-298-7512 by Oct. 27.  Refreshments will be served. *  Cornerstone Advisory Council Members: American Library Association; American Society of Magazine Editors; American Society of Newspaper Editors; Association of American Publishers; Freedom of Expression Foundation; Media Coalition; Radio-Television News Directors Association; Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press; Society of Professional Journalists; The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression.