Sebastiao Marques and Edgar Quinquino, two experienced reporters for the independent weekly, Agora, published in Luanda, hope to create a supplement to their newspaper that would focus on human rights and democratization.

This supplement would be an alternative to news of war and violence--the staple of most Angolan newspapers. Marques and Quinquino "want to start a pro-democracy and human rights section in their newspaper to get away from the usual sensational war and violence stories," said Michael Leslie, an associate professor of telecommunication at the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida. Leslie recently received a request from the two Angolans, whom he met in July when he taught a short media course in Luanda, the capital. To launch the supplement, Leslie said the two journalists need help to obtain a Macintosh computer, scanner, fax machine, professional camera, tape recorder and laptop computer.

They also are looking for reporters to collaborate on the project who would write about democracy and human rights in their own countries. They would also like to receive relevant newspapers from other countries and are willing to reciprocate by sending Angolan newspapers, Leslie said.

Anyone who can help the two Agora journalists can contact them at Seminario Agora, Rua Francisco A. Pinto, 6-Segundo Andar, Apt. 21, Luanda, Angola. Telefax: (244-2) 32-34-77 or contact Michael Leslie, Ph. D., associate professor, College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611-2084, U.S.A. Tel: (352) 392-2904; fax: (352) 392-3919; e-mail: mleslie@jou.ufl.edu. Website: http://grove.ufl.edu/~mleslie