Crosstown E-Battle of Ideas Takes Stage in Providence

Ocean State Current joins Breitbart, Heritage, and Franklin in “Future Of Journalism Summit”

Click here to see national news stories about what people are saying about the Summit …

The Ocean State Current, the news wing of the Rhode Island Center for Freedom and Prosperity, will participate with the Heritage Foundation and the Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity at this weekend’s events, which will include a tribute to the monumental journalistic achievements of Andrew Breitbart at the “Breitbart Awards Dinner” on Friday, June 8, at 7:00 p.m. The dinner is the main event of the “Future of Journalism Summit” – establishing a center-right beachhead north of the State House, opposite the left-wing Netroots Nation summit to its south – on Friday and Saturday.

Andrew Breitbart pioneered a new media revolution that transformed journalism and the political landscape. As his tragic passing is mourned, many seek to ensure that his legacy is honored and that the movement he spawned continues with the army of citizen activists that he cultivated and inspired to carry the torch for freedom and truth.

The spirit of that movement is represented locally by the RI Center for Freedom & Prosperity, which worked with the Franklin Center in the development of the Ocean State Current, its online news bureau. CEO Mike Stenhouse says, “In terms of both inspiration and practical example, the trail that Andrew Breitbart and these organizations have blazed – to uncover the truth and to provide greater government transparency – has been a guide as we’ve made our own way, here in the Ocean State.”

“Interacting with other journalists in the Franklin network around the country these past few months has been very encouraging,” says the Current’s managing editor, Justin Katz. “It’s easy to feel like the Netroots crowd controls the conversation in this state, so it’s great to have some friends from the other side mingling in the shadow of the Independent Man,” he says, referring to the statue on top of the State House dome.

The first annual Breitbart Awards Dinner will honor three individuals from the realms of 1) professional journalism; 2) blogging; and 3) citizen activism-whose efforts advance the spirit of Andrew Breitbart’s work, which was driven by an indomitable pursuit for truth and accountability that advances those causes on behalf of the public good.

The winners of the 2012 Breitbart Awards:

Professional Journalism: Phillip Klein, The Washington Examiner Blogger: Ace of Spades, Ace of Spades HQ Citizen: Andrew Marcus

Breitbart Awards Dinner Details:

Keynote Addresses by John Fund and Sonnie Johnson, Breitbart Award winners

Breitbart Awards Dinner

Friday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. EST

Providence Marriott Downtown-1 Orms Street, Providence, Rhode Island

The Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity supports transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility. It trains reporters, produces investigative news content, and holds government officials accountable.

The Heritage Foundation is the nation’s most broadly supported public policy research institute. Its mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.

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