Thirteen South Korean journalists spent an afternoon in Athens in November learning about the University of Georgia student newspaper, the local daily commercial newspaper, and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
The journalists were visiting colleges and media outlets throughout the East as a part of a program called Envisioning New Business Models for Newspapers.

Sunghae Kim, a graduate of the Grady college, organized the trip and translated for the team meeting with Harry Montevideo, publisher of the student newspaper, The Red & Black, and Juanita Cousins, editor-in-chief of the paper.
Participants were eager to visit an independent and successful student-run newspaper.

Asked by the Korean guests why The Red & Black wanted to gain independence from UGA, Montevideo answered that the college newspaper is the watchdog of the university community. This can cause friction, so it is better if it is completely independent.
The Red & Black is a trusted publication and the students have been working hard to develop its credibility, added Cousins.

Following their visit at The Red & Black, the group visited the Athens Banner-Herald, the city newspaper. They met with Cecil Bentley, director of career services and corporate relations of the Grady College and former editor of the Athens Banner-Herald. The group participated in a discussion about the newspaper’s relationship with the community and toured the newspaper facilities.

The Athens part of the program was coordinated by the James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research, a unit of the Grady College.
Melanie Zuñiga, administrative specialist, represented the Cox Center and presented the group with an overview of the Center’s work.
Georgia was just one of many stops included in the journalists’ tour of the East. Other destinations included New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. Following their visit to Athens on November 5, the group traveled to Atlanta to return to South Korea.