"Public Forum," a 30-minute public affairs program, received a second place Certificate of Distinction by the Missouri Broadcast Educators Association -- 1998 Media Awards.

The program is produced by Dr. Jim Dufek, associate professor of mass communication at Southeast Missouri State University, and the television directing class in Southeast's mass communication department.

Dr. Tom Harte, chairman of Southeast's department of speech communication and theatre; Dr. Christopher Schnell, Southeast professor of history; and Dr. Peter Bergerson, chairman of Southeast's political science department, host the program. Bergerson also serves as the production coordinator for the program.

"Public Forum" can be seen locally on cable Channel 5, at 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month.