Ford to Discuss Media Coverage of Firestone Tire Recall; National Association of Black Journalists to Host 'Spinning Wheels' Discussion With Automaker's Spokesman

    DETROIT, April 19 The Detroit Chapter of the National
Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will host a rare gathering on
April 28, 2001 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center.  Jason Vines, vice
president and spokesman, Ford Motor Co., will join reporters to discuss media
coverage of the automaker's role in the Firestone tire recall.
    The panel discussion, "Spinning Wheels: Peeling Away Treads of Coverage
from the Firestone Tire Recall," is part of the 2001 NABJ Regional Conference
in Detroit, "Meet Me In Motown: New Voices, New Choices," and begins at
3:15 p.m. in the Nicolet B conference room.
    The panel discussion will explore the media's role in the controversies
surrounding the tire recall and its lasting effects on Detroit's automotive
community.  Other scheduled panelists include:

    *  Joseph White, Detroit bureau chief, The Wall Street Journal
    *  Alejandro Bodipo-Memba, staff writer, Detroit Free Press
    *  Mark Truby, automotive writer, The Detroit News
    *  Frank Washington, Detroit-based automotive freelance writer (moderator)

    Registration is $10.  For more information, call the NABJ hotline at
313-438-6017 or email detroitnabj@hotmail.com .
    Title sponsors of the conference are The Detroit News and Detroit Free
Press.  Platinum sponsors: Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., and Scripps
Howard.  Silver sponsors: AAA of Michigan, Avance Communications Inc., Detroit
Institute of Arts, Detroit Medical Center, Health Alliance Plan, John Bailey &
Associates, Our PC magazine, St. John Health System, Trinity Health and Walter
Goolsby Enterprises.  Bronze sponsors: DaimlerChrysler AG, Don Coleman
Advertising, Essential Business Services, Lexis-Nexis and U.S. Concepts.