National Press Foundation Presents 'Uncovering The Next Enron: Fact and Fiction in Financial Reporting'

5/20/2002

From: The National Press Foundation, 202-663-7297, npf@natpress.org, http://www.nationalpress.org

News Advisory:

WHAT: "Uncovering The Next Enron: Fact and Fiction in Financial Reporting"

WHO: -- Bethany McLean, Fortune Magazine -- David S. Hilzenrath, Washington Post -- Howard Schilit, C.P.A., president of Center for Financial Research & Analysis, Inc.

WHEN: Monday, June 10 9 a.m. - Noon

WHERE: National Press Foundation 1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 310

No Cost, but Limited Seating

If you were in the dark about Enron until it became Wall Street's Titanic, you were not alone. Enron's dramatic fall, among others, caught many news organizations off guard and left reporters and editors wondering how they might avoid being snookered in the future.

This half-day seminar, which will focus on spotting potential problems in financial reports and provide plenty of time for Q&A, is designed to help.

Bethany McLean, credited as the only reporter to flag high-flying Enron as headed for a fall months before its collapse, will explain what clued her in. David Hilzenrath, who unraveled accounting methods used by MicroStrategy and is now tracking investigations into Enron and Andersen, will offer tips in unearthing hidden truths in financial reports. Howard Schilit, a financial veteran who has trained many journalists to critically evaluate a company's health, will provide his roadmap for finding accounting gimmicks in company financials.

THERE IS NO FEE, BUT SEATING IS LIMITED TO 20 PEOPLE.

You must make a reservation if you wish to attend by e-mailing npf@natpress.org or calling 202-663-7297. Give your name, organization and a contact number. The National Press Foundation office is on Connecticut about two blocks north of the Mayflower Hotel.

This program should be a sell-out, so call now to reserve a spot.

------ The National Press Foundation is an independent non-profit organization offering professional development programs for journalists since 1975. This on-the-record briefing is underwritten by the David Swit Endowment, honoring the late founder of the Washington Business Information, Inc., publisher of business newsletters.