Ms. Sandy Close will deliver the second keynote at the Sixth Annual Online News Association Conference on Saturday, October 29th, 2005.

Close is the Executive Director of New California Media, a network of over 600 ethnic news organizations working together to enhance inter-ethnic understanding, editorial exchange and bolstering media’s access to advertisers.

Her journalism career began in Hong Kong in 1964 and after returning to the US in 1974 she founded The Flatlands newspaper, a voice for the inner city communities of Oakland, California.

Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., chairman of The New York Times Co., will deliver Friday’s keynote address. As the Times Co.'s senior executive, he is responsible for its long-term business strategy. Over the past decade, Sulzberger has shaped and implemented innovative print, broadcast and online initiatives that are enabling the Company to compete in the 21st century global media marketplace.

The Online Journalism Awards, a partnership between the Online News Association (ONA) and the USC Annenberg School for Communication, will be announced on Saturday, October 29th at the Awards Banquet.