“I think of the information around the pandemic as rapids, really fast flowing torrential water. It's so easy to be swept up in it and feel like you're being carried along, feeling like you're drowning in it. What I think really good journalism can do is to act as a rock in the middle of that fast flow to give people stable ground where they can stand and observe what is moving past them without being carried along by it.”
— Ed Yong, staff writer at The Atlantic where he covers science
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SPJ2020 JOURNALISM CONFERENCE |
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SPJ2020 Journalism Conference registration is now open! The journalism conference of the year will be online, Sept. 12-13. You can view informative discussions with journalism leaders, participate in breakout sessions and workshops and network virtually with journalists from around the country — all from the comfort of your own living room. Be sure to follow along at #SPJ2020 for updates. SPJ2020 will feature:
- Over 20 workshops and breakout sessions
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Super Sessions on the three Ps: the pandemic, protests and politics
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Discussions with this year’s Fellows of the Society
- A chance to connect with fellow attendees in SPJ’s brand-new Discord server, available 24/7 before, during and well after the event
- Pub Trivia
- Wake-up calls with SPJ’s president and executive director
- A festive closing ceremony featuring awards and the inauguration of SPJ’s next president
- And more!
For only $45 for pro members and $25 for student members, you don’t want to miss SPJ2020! Register today and check back often as more sessions and speakers will be announced in the coming days and weeks. Wherever you are, we’ll see you there!
Take part in SPJ’s governance by becoming a regional delegate — non-chapter members selected to represent other non-chapter members during the upcoming virtual convention Sept. 12-13. These individuals cast votes on important topics such as bylaws changes and resolutions. To become a delegate, email Program Coordinator Matthew Kent and indicate what region you’re in. Deadline is Friday.
Resolutions reviewed and submitted by the Resolutions Committee for consideration by convention delegates will be sent to delegates by email on Sept. 7. Resolutions will also be available on the SPJ2020 conference website. Resolutions will be considered by the delegates during the Business Meeting at 7 p.m. EDT Sept. 12 via Zoom.
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A new group of women leaders, called We Have Her Back, sent a letter to top news executives Thursday to warn them against "stereotypes and tropes" in coverage of Joe Biden’s announcement of a female running mate. Tuesday, Biden announced that his running mate would be Kamala Harris. The group was formed to be a watchdog on coverage. "Women have been subject to stereotypes and tropes about qualifications, leadership, looks, relationships and experience. Those stereotypes are often amplified and weaponized for Black and Brown women," the letter says. "We believe it is your job to, not just pay attention to these stereotypes, but to actively work to be anti-racist and anti-sexist in your coverage (ie: equal) as this political season progresses and this presidential ticket is introduced."
Gallup and Knight Foundation released their 2020 American Views survey which found deepening pessimism and further partisan entrenchment about how the news media delivers on its democratic mandate for factual, trustworthy information. The study found that 71% of Republicans have a “very” or “somewhat” unfavorable opinion of the news media, while 22% of Democrats feel the same way. Fifty-four percent of Democrats have a very favorable view of the media, and only 13% of Republicans feel the same way. According to John Sands, director of learning and impact at the Knight Foundation, that divide has been documented before but only seems to be deepening, particularly among conservatives.
Friday marks eight years since journalist Austin Tice was abducted in Syria where he was reporting on the country’s civil war. Tice’s family and the U.S. State Department believe he remains alive and in the custody of forces loyal to the Syrian government. Tice had contributed to The Washington Post, McClatchy publications and Al-Jazeera English. The One Free Press Coalition, a collection of nearly 40 news organizations, ranks Tice as No. 1 on its “10 Most Urgent List.” Tice’s parents wrote an open letter urging the entire press freedom community to work to ensure Tice’s secure release and safe return by holding government officials accountable and calling for dialogue with the Syrian government.
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SPJ has hired experienced leadership and organizational development consultant Karyn Nishimura Sneath as its new director of education. For 24 years, Sneath has owned a consulting practice focused on leadership and organizational development for associations and nonprofits. Prior to her consulting work, she led the education departments for two associations in Indianapolis. Welcome to the team, Karyn!
Join the fourth Media Trust Webinar Series for College Students session at 2 p.m. EDT Tuesday for a discussion about how sources can build or harm credibility. SPJ Journalist on Call Rod Hicks will talk with Katie Townsend, legal director at Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, David McCraw, deputy general counsel at The New York Times and Lori Montgomery, deputy national editor at The Washington Post. This session will offer guidance on picking the best sources, such as those who are independent and verify information with evidence, and will explore the use of anonymous sources and leaked information. Registration is required.
In the next of the #ICTalks, the SPJ International Community talks with Ghada Oueiss, principal presenter for Al Jazeera Arabic, as she reveals the struggle of dealing with cyberbullying and a coordinated campaign against her on social media as noted in a recent Washington Post OpEd. As a female journalist in the Middle East, she refuses to stay silent. In the one-on-one conversation at noon EDT Tuesday, she will discuss these attacks and what can be done to raise awareness about this matter.
New from Quill: Investigative journalist Jean Guerrero spent six months reporting on White House adviser Stephen Miller to understand what shaped his current beliefs. The result: her just-released book "Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda." Find out what the SPJ San Diego Pro chapter's 2019 Journalist of the Year found out about the man and the evolution of his ideas — plus insight into how the book's title came to be in this interview at Quillmag.com.
Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press — and her freedom — on the line in defense of truth and democracy. Check out “A Thousand Cuts,” the new film by Ramona S. Diaz, in virtual theaters now.
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The Montclair Local, a startup nonprofit news organization in New Jersey, is hiring an executive editor to lead its newsroom. Applicants should have at least three years of experience leading a newsroom and three to five years of reporting experience. Proven experience leading change and engaging audiences and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving, lean organization is required.
NBC News Digital in New York City is seeking a data journalist responsible for conceiving, reporting and writing stories around data and visuals. Applicants should have at least four years of experience in news-gathering or in a newsroom setting and at least two years of experience in data-focused journalism.
WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, is accepting applications for a news producer. The successful applicant’s background must include, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism or a related field. They must be a self-starter, with knowledge of and ability to operate state-of-the-art television news equipment as well as website publishing.
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FIGHTING FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT |
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SPJ, the Student Press Law Center and 27 other organizations sent a letter to the principal of North Paulding High School, the district superintendent and the school board about the two students who have been severely disciplined for circulating a photo of a crowded school hallway. Despite Hannah Waters' suspension being overturned, we remain concerned about threats or any other possible "consequences" to students or staff sharing photos, videos or other information about what is happening at the school. These actions raise serious First Amendment issues, which are only exacerbated by the lasting concerns students and teachers may have about their health and safety this school year.
The central question in Denson v. Donald J. Trump for President, Inc. is whether the form nondisclosure agreement that the President's campaign requires all employees to sign is unenforceable and void as against public policy. The amicus brief supports Jessica Denson, a former Trump campaign employee, and highlights the importance of ensuring campaign sources can speak freely to members of the news media to ensure an informed electorate.
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In the SPJ Google Tools for Freelancers webinar, veteran trainer and freelance journalist Benet Wilson shares tips on using Google Scholar, Alerts, Trends, Advanced Image Search and Translate to improve your freelance skills. Register online or email Lou Harry for a link to the session. Please put “Google Tools for Freelancers” in the subject line. Join the webinar at 3 p.m. EDT Thursday.
In the age of the COVID-19 pandemic, many news directors are turning to local independent journalists for coverage, trusting freelance reporters and photographers to supply continuing on-the-spot news. Watch the SPJ Freelance Community’s webinar, Freelance Breaking News: Promises and Pitfalls, as reporter and editor Stephenie Overman talks with freelance journalists Katie G. Nelson and Haisten Willis about their experiences covering demonstrations in their cities after local Black citizens were killed by police.
Looking for more learning opportunities? Don’t forget to check out SPJ's events calendar! You’ll find the latest journalism webinars and e-learning offerings from our journalism friends and partners to help you do your job and continue your professional development. New webinars are added each week.
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Need advice on when a publication needs to disclose it has sponsored content? SPJ Ethics Chair Lynn Walsh weighed in on this subject for Quill magazine. She said: “First and foremost, sponsored content should always be labeled. That goes for when it is shared on social media platforms, posted online or aired on TV, radio or a podcast.” Read her full response and the question that was asked on Quill’s website.
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Looking for a way to show your support for SPJ? There are at least four ways you can contribute to SPJ programs and initiatives. Back the First Amendment and press freedom with a gift to the SPJ General Fund, SPJ Foundation, Legal Defense Fund or First Amendment Forever Fund. No matter where you donate, your gift will be appreciated and will help SPJ carry out its mission of improving and protecting journalism.
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