“We’re fortunate to live in a country where free speech and the freedom of the press are constitutional rights, not privileges given to us by any one person or any government. It’s a fundamental part of who we are as Americans. And during a time like this, when we as a state and nation are facing a crisis most of us have never experienced, few things are more important than having the facts and being informed.”
|
|
Brands are
blocking advertisements
from appearing next to news content that mentions the coronavirus, hurting publisher’s digital ad revenue. The changes are causing publishers to
downsize staff and cut pay
. With coronavirus related coverage set to be a big story for the foreseeable future, publishers are
asking advertisers to get comfortable
with their content appearing next to coronavirus news. Although certain types of ads are still likely to be considered inappropriate, experts say if the messaging is respectful, it will likely not hurt their brand.
Hospitals are
threatening to fire health-care workers who speak out
about the lack of gear. Bloomberg reported a doctor in Washington state said he was out of a job because he’d given an interview to a newspaper, and the NYU Langone Health system has warned employees they could be terminated if they talk to the media without authorization. Hospitals have traditionally had strict media guidelines to protect patient privacy, but during the pandemic it is even worse because they are often worried about their public image.
Looking for some good news? Actor John Krasinski wants to help with that. Shot like a short broadcast where Krasinski anchors from his home, "Some Good News"
features heartwarming news happening around the world
. His first guest was former co-star of “The Office” Steve Carell filling the role of “entertainment correspondent.”
Apple TV+ is debuting a new show inspired by the true story of one of SPJ’s youngest members,
Hilde Lysiak
. The show,
“Home Before Dark,”
is a fictionalized take on the true story of Lysiak, who broke a local murder story in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, in 2016. The young reporter launched Orange Street News, a local newspaper,
when she was only 8 years old
. All 10 episodes of the first season will be released Friday.
|
|
SPJ National
President
Patricia Gallagher Newberry
moderated a
panel about women in the media
Friday. Hosted by the International Association of Women in Radio & Television, the panel consisted of women from the U.S., Kenya and the United Nations. They addressed progress in media coverage of women and media's role 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
SPJ National
President Patricia Gallagher Newberry
joined Bob Mann on his “Hot Media” podcast
Friday. They discussed how the news media has "risen to the occasion" with its coverage of the COVID-19 crisis, as well as China's expulsion of U.S. journalists.
Journalist on Call
Rod Hicks
was a panelist on a webinar Wednesday titled “Coronavirus Coverage: Big Story or Big Hype." He used the opportunity to stress the importance of using precise language and avoiding alarmist wording. The webinar was organized by Philadelphia writer and editor Denise Clay for the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists.
The
SPJ Freelance Community
is planning educational resources to help freelancers who are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first one will explain sections of the federal stimulus legislation enacted so far. In preparation, the Community is compiling information about how the new laws will apply to independent journalists. One challenge is tracking state measures, including unemployment insurance guidance. If you have information about any activity in your state or locality offering COVID-19 relief, please
send an email
(including links) to the Freelance Community.
In these tough times, writers, journalists and editors have been hit hard by this crisis. That's why
Authory is offering its services free
for anybody who can't afford to pay. Authory automatically backs up your articles and creates a beautiful portfolio page that's always up-to-date.
Email Authory
to get the service for free.
Nominations are being accepted for the
Eugene S. Pulliam First Amendment award
, which honors a person or persons who have fought to protect and preserve one or more of the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. The award comes with a $10,000 cash prize and an engraved crystal. The honoree(s) being recognized at the Excellence in Journalism conference later this year will also receive transportation and a two-night hotel stay.
Deadline is June 20.
The
Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing
awards $75,000 to an outstanding editorial writer or columnist to help broaden his or her journalistic horizons and knowledge of the world. Eligibility requirements apply.
Deadline to nominate is June 20.
If a member has made a significant contribution to a professional chapter, consider nominating them for the
Howard S. Dubin Outstanding Pro member award
. An SPJ member from a small chapter and one from a large chapter will be recognized.
Deadline is April 13.
Applications for
Terry Harper Memorial scholarships
are now being accepted. The scholarships, which are named after former SPJ Executive Director Terry Harper, provide recipients with complimentary registration at Excellence in Journalism, a four-night hotel stay at the conference hotel, airfare and more. Eligibility requirements apply.
Deadline is April 22.
For questions, contact Program Coordinator
Matthew Kent
.
Annual Reports
for both professional and campus chapters are
due June 19
. This is for the time frame of
April 30, 2019 – May 1, 2020
. All reports are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT. There will be
no exceptions
. If you have any questions, please email Manager of Membership and Chapters
Caroline Escobar
.
|
|
The White Mountain Independent, a twice-weekly newspaper in Show Low, Arizona, is seeking an
editor
. This position oversees a newsroom of six people. The successful candidate will understand how to present local news in print and digital, particularly through its new video initiatives, as well as possess strong leadership, editing and design skills. Experience in InDesign and knowledge of AP style a plus.
Spectrum Networks is hiring a
digital journalist
for this newly launched role in Louisville, Kentucky. Applicants should have an expertise in social media, digital trends, an understanding of search engine optimization and a familiarity with HTML and/or web-authoring tools and software. Candidates should have three to seven years of experience in news or editorial environments and a minimum of two years of experience in digital news.
Static Media is looking for
freelance editors
to join the feature and news teams of The List and Mashed. These positions are work-from-home with flexible, stable hours. Responsibilities include editing and publishing assignments and fact-checking submissions. Ideal candidates have at least three years of experience working with content for print or the web, with a focus on women's lifestyle, health and wellness, restaurants and cooking, and experience with building content in a CMS, preferably WordPress.
|
|
FIGHTING FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT
|
|
One way SPJ supports journalism is by initiating and joining amicus briefs to support First Amendment and open records cases through its
Legal Defense Fund
. Here is one of the most recent cases SPJ has signed onto:
Mike Cernovich filed a motion to intervene to seek access to the jury questionnaires in the Roger Stone prosecution and the juror identification number of the jury foreperson.
This amicus brief
supports the motion for access to the jury questionnaires. It argues that: (1) members of the press rely on access to jury questionnaires to report on jury selection, which promotes public understanding of the criminal justice system; (2) the First Amendment creates a presumptive right of access to preliminary examinations, which includes jury questionnaires; (3) this presumptive right of access includes the right to know which questionnaires correspond to those jurors selected for service; and (4) in this case, the jury questionnaires and their corresponding jury identification numbers should be disclosed, and the foreperson's jury identification number identified, unless the court makes specific factual findings demonstrating a compelling interest requiring their continued sealing.
View all of SPJ's most recent efforts to assist journalists and journalism in court and elsewhere
on the LDF in Action page
.
|
|
As a journalist, you’re being required to do your job in a way you’ve likely never had to do it before: From working remotely at home, to conducting interviews virtually, to juggling homeschooling children or taking care of elderly parents while still putting out the news every day.
It’s stressful. It’s full of uncertainty. And SPJ joins together with journalism organizations everywhere to help you through this. Check our
calendar of events
– a centralized location for the latest journalism webinars and e-learning offerings from our journalism friends and partners during the COVID-19 crisis.
Visit this one-stop shop to sign up for webinars related to covering the coronavirus pandemic, how to effectively and efficiently work from home, how to conduct a Zoom meeting and most importantly, how to take care of your physical and mental health during this uncertain time — and much more.
|
|
SPJ Ethics Committee Chair
Lynn Walsh
will host a Twitter chat at 2 p.m. EDT Friday to answer all your questions about ethically covering COVID-19. Join
@spj_tweets
and
@lwalsh
— and have your list of questions ready. Walsh will answer such questions as: How do you report on the numbers of deaths/cases and panic buying without causing more panic? Should you focus on more positive/non-coronavirus coverage to “balance things out?” How do we ethically cover what is happening inside hospitals, the issues healthcare workers face, etc., without invading privacy or putting people’s jobs in danger?
Use #COVIDEthics and #SPJEthics
to follow along and participate in the discussion.
|
|
Northern Kentucky University is looking for participants for research study about journalists and political polling. Reporters and editors are invited to take an
online survey
, which should take about 15-20 minutes. As an incentive, all participants who complete the survey will have a chance to win one of five $50 Amazon gift cards. If you have any questions or concerns, contact
Alyssa Appelman
, the primary researcher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
