Ohio SPJ Awards Deadline Extended

Folks,

Please consider submitting materials for this award. Not only will you make OU and Scripps proud, but you will have one heck of a nice award to brag about. haha

Please note the new deadline.

The deadline has been extended for the 13th annual statewide competition - the Ohio SPJ Awards - the professional development and recognition program jointly managed by the Central Ohio (Columbus), Cincinnati, and Cleveland pro chapters of the Society of Professional Journalists. Together, we honor the best of Ohio's print, television, radio, online, trade and college journalism.

The new postmark deadline for entering this year's competition is March 20, 2009. A printed copy of this year's Call for Entries is in "Ohio's Best Journalism" (aka, the 2008 winners book) distributed at the Rock Hall of Fame awards banquet in October and also mailed in January. Can't find your copy? An online version of the official 2009 Call for Entries is available here for you to download, print and mail by the entry deadline. Simply click here.

Mail your entries, postmarked by March 20, 2009, to:

Ohio SPJ Awards
1331 South High Street
Columbus, OH 43207

Sad Day in Denver

In a bit of shocking news, the E.W. Scripps Co. (you know? the name on your degree when you graduate) has announced that Denver's Rocky Mountain News, a leader in quality journalism for years, will publish its final edition on Friday.

You can follow the story at the paper's website, here, as well as on Editor and Publisher's website.

This is the third major publication in the past several months to announce an end to its print edition, but this one goes much further, ceasing all operations.

We will have the chance to hear a presentation from Detroit News recruiter Walter Middlebrook about his paper’s plan to cut back home delivery and boost digital readership at Regional Conference in April - you can sign up now!

Reaction to "Post" Cartoon

Headquarters released their reaction (from the diversity committee) to the political cartoon published by the New York Post last Wednesday, albeit a little late.

It can be found on the diversity committee webpage, here.

Your thoughts?

The Sunshine Project

Last week, we introduced you all to basic FOIA and state Sunshine law information as well as the growing problem of getting public records from Ohio University.

This week find out what we're going to do to educate our administration and help create a stir to ensure compliance with the Ohio Open Records Law.

If you've ever wondered just what SPJ does and how YOU can get involved more, this is the meeting to be at! Come and join us as we start to make some waves!

We'll see you in Scripps 111 at 5 p.m. on Tuesday for our first service project meeting of 2009. This is YOUR chance for hands-on experience and YOU chance to make a difference in FOIA and Sunshine Law education and compliance at Ohio University.

Aimee Edmondson on the Freedom of Information Act and Sunshine Laws

At last week's meeting, Assistant Scripps Professor, Aimee Edmondson gave us a basic overview of FOIA and Sunshine laws as a precursor to our spring service project. If you missed last week's meeting or need more clarification about open record laws, check out our snipets from our interview with Edmondson below.

Open Record Laws 101


What is Ohio's Open Record Law and what should you remember when requesting a document?


Dr. Edmondson gives an example of an open record law scenario and provides tips about how to ensure you get your request.

Exclusive Internship Meeting

From Scripps:

There will be an Exclusive Internship Information Session on Thursday, February 19th from 6-8 PM in Scripps 111. All Scripps College of Communication Students are welcome. The meeting will cover application requirements and deadlines. Past interns from the Today Show, Procter & Gamble Productions, and The Miss Universe Organization as well as last year’s recipients of the Don Perris Scholarship will give testimonials and answer questions.

Questions or more info? Contact Tina Stewart (we met her fall quarter, remember?) at 740.593.9994 or stewart1@ohio.edu

See you there!

Know Your Rights!

Team -

This week's meeting is of utmost importance to anyone studying journalism at Ohio University and anyone who cares about First Amendment rights.

We will first be educated on all things FOIA (at least the basics, haha) by professor Aimee Edmondson.

Then, OU SPJ will release details about our 2008-2009 service project and how YOU can get involved in what may be the most ambitious project this organization has undertaken on our campus.

Check back here for more details later this week!

We'll see you there at 5 p.m. in Scripps Hall 111.

P.S. as a reminder, there is a great networking opportunity this Thursday in Cincinnati where we can mix and mingle with University of Cincinnati SPJ members and faculty as well as Cincinnati pro chapter members and working journalists in the Tri-State area. Please email Evan at em176906@ohio.edu or come to the meeting and sign-up tomorrow if you are interested. We would be leaving Thursday at about 2:30 p.m. from Athens and at least one car would be returning by about midnight.

Thanks!

Still Need an Internship?

Each year, the Society of Professional Journalists sponsors internships for 12 bright, motivated and hard working SPJ student journalists to staff The Working Press, a daily tabloid newspaper that covers the SPJ National Convention. Student writers, photographers and designers are invited to apply for these select positions.

This year's convention is set for August 27-29 in Indianapolis. Interns will need to arrive in Indianapolis by noon Wednesday, August 26 and the internship ends Sunday, August 30.

To apply, send 2 sets of the following (submissions will not be returned)

— Cover letter
— Résumé (include summer contact information)
— Three clips, layouts or published photos (relevant to your area of expertise). Please send copies of clips on letter or legal-size paper.

Postmark deadline: April 17, 2009

You provide:

— Energy, talent, great ideas and a good attitude
— Your transportation to and from Indianapolis
— Photographers: bring your own gear (digital)

The Society provides:

— Complimentary convention registration
— Complimentary accommodations at convention hotel
— Mentoring by professional journalists
— Networking venues
— A place to showcase your talents in front of many professionals

Mail applications to:
Society of Professional Journalists
Attn: The Working Press
3909 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Or e-mail your application to Heather Porter.

Questions about The Working Press?
Contact Heather Porter, Professional Development Coordinator, @ 317/927-8000 ext. 204 or via e-mail.

Note: As a Working Press intern, the Society retains all rights to the work you produce during the convention as part of your internship.

Headquarters Makes Waves

This email was sent to all members of national SPJ this evening - proving once again just how important this issue of transparency and open records is. This can work to our advantage here at OU - it is time the administration got tuned in to the national movement! Enjoy:

Dear SPJ Member:

We're delighted to announce that the Free Flow of Information Act, more commonly referred to as the Federal Shield Law, was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives today as H.R. 985.

You're probably aware that the Society of Professional Journalists has been actively urging Congress and President Obama to pass and sign into law a bill that will protect journalists who refuse to reveal their confidential sources. Because you are a member of the largest journalism association in the country, your voice and opinion matter in this extremely important process.

Today, we are asking you to join the fight to improve and protect journalism. Please contact your representative and voice your support for this measure that is essential to upholding a free and independent press. A list of current contact information for U.S. Representatives can be found here.

When you contact your representative, please tell him or her about your SPJ membership - and that our organization (some 9,000 strong) supports this vital piece of legislation.

In closing, thank you for all that you do for SPJ and for making this organization an industry leader in fighting for the First Amendment rights of journalists.

Yours in the profession,

Dave Aeikens,
SPJ President

Special Thanks!

Thanks to all members who attended the Valentine's Day Shuffle this evening!

Hope everyone had a great time socializing with other Scripps students while helping make Valentine's Day special for some very deserving ladies!


Stay tuned to our blog as we begin the greatest journey our chapter has ever taken beginning NEXT WEEK! We'll keep you updated!

OU Alums Come "Alive!"

Join OU SPJ for our weekly meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Scripps 111!

This week we are videochatting with two Scripps and SPJ alumni who currently work at Columbus Alive!, an alternative weekly newspaper and product of The Columbus Dispatch that focuses on culture and entertainment. We'll talk industry and alternative papers with Chris DeVille and Brittany Kress for the majority of our meeting.

As an added bonus, Columbus Alive! is currently seeking summer 2009 interns - so come prepared to ask questions and make valuable contacts!

Check out Columbus Alive! here

OU Open Records - Moving Forward

We have received quite a bit of national attention this week regarding our present open records issue. The following email was sent as a response tonight to those who had expressed concern.

Enjoy!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Good evening-

I want to take minute to thank everyone who has responded to the current open
records crisis at Ohio University and the commentary that has circulated for the
past week. It is so inspiring to see such outpouring of support from our fellow
journalists, SPJ members and alumni.

I promised an update to those of you who wrote to me or commented on our blog
(ohiouspj.blogspot.com) and I intend on delivering it.

Moving forward, we must maintain a non-confrontation approach at the outset.
The executive board of our chapter agrees that we must first investigate
instances of noncompliance and disregard for the Ohio Open Records Law, then we
must educate not only our administration on the law but also the community on
their rights.

Three years ago, the OU student chapter garnered the National Chapter of the
Year award for a service project that audited all 4-year public universities in
the state of Ohio. Not surprisingly, Ohio University failed, coming in last
place. Attached is a rather lengthy description and report of the findings of
that study.

Over the coming months, OU SPJ will be revisiting the Ohio University part of
that audit. Our intent is to recreate and improve upon the research done by
those students in 2005-2006 and compare our results. This will actively involve
our membership and engage them in practices associated with open records
requests - in essence, the ultimate learning experience.

We are also beginning to conduct exhaustive research on local media's past
dealings with the Board of Trustees. Without the proper background knowledge,
we cannot execute an effective educational campaign and pinpoint areas that need
covered. It is our sincere hope that the local media will help us in this
endeavor - journalists working for journalists, the integral part of SPJ for the
past 100 years.

Many of you have asked how you can aid us in our efforts and for that we are
eternally grateful. Again, the outpouring of support has been inspirational and
motivational.

Tonight, the Ohio University student chapter of the Society of Professional
Journalists is issuing a proverbial call to arms.

Journalists are armed with the strongest of weapons - the pen. And it is with
this device that we request the assistance of those who feel so compelled to
speak out on this issue.

Write. Write about this situation. Write to newspapers in Athens, OH (their
contact information follows) and write to other concerned journalists - spread
the word and help us gather support for the cause. Strength lies in numbers and
we must show the board and the administration that this issue will not be
ignored or shrugged off, especially by our alumni.

I encourage you to contact me with any questions or advice you may have - we are
still just beginning to determine our ultimate course of action and want to hear
from YOU. Professional advice and support will continue to guide our moves
through the next several months as we attempt to educate and reverse the culture
that has developed on our beautiful Athens campus.

Thank you for your time and support again! I look forward to hearing from you.

IMPORTANT INFO:

Letters to the Editor
The Post (OU student paper) - posteditorial@ohiou.edu
Athens NEWS - news@athensnews.com
Athens Messenger - address to Ann Kamody - akamody@athensmessenger.com

OU Board of Trustees
trustees@ohio.edu

Read More at the OU SPJ Blog!
ohiouspj.blogspot.com

Help us "Let the Sunshine In" at Ohio University and in Athens!

Thanks again!

Evan Millward
President, Ohio University Society of Professional Journalists

Yusuf Kalyango on International Reporting

Hey Everyone!

This evening SPJ had the pleasure of hearing from Prof. Yusuf Kalyango, director of OU's Institute for International Journalism.

We also had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Kalyango in a video interview. He shared memories about his international reporting and told us about the challenges and risks of international correspondence. You can view excerpts from our video interview below.

Dr. Kalyango shares a memory that changed the way he views war correspondence.


Dr. Kalyango explains one of the biggest challenges impacting international journalists.


Dr. Kalyango speaks about the impact that ethnocentrism has on international reporting.


Dr. Kalyango talks about the treatment of foreign correspondents in developing countries and gives advice to people who wish to report outside of the United States.


If you're interested in hearing more from Dr. Kalyango, plan on taking his international correspondence course in winter quarter of next year.

Taylor Mirfendereski

Looking Ahead

SPJers -

I want to extend a warm "Thank You" to our friends at UC SPJ for their continued support of our efforts to spread the word about our situation here at Ohio university as we begin an effort to improve the understanding of open records laws in Athens. (Please see the commenatry two posts below)

Over the weekend, we have received numerous inquiries about how fellow journalists and SPJ members across the country can help in these efforts. I am honored and thrilled at the prospect of so much enthusiasm for our efforts to create a better environment for not only journalists, but also for the general public.

We have a large task ahead of us at OU SPJ in the coming months as we begin to tackle this blatant disregard of freedom of information. We are open to any and all suggestions and I encourage everyone to contact national SPJ as well as local papers here in Athens about the issue. Here is the link to the two origianl stories about this issue:

The Post (January 21, 2009)

The Athens NEWS (July 14, 2008)

After our Executive Board meets on Thursday, we will have a better and more developed understanding of how we plan to proceed so stay posted right here as the next few weeks progress.

Thanks again and remember, it is time we "Let the Sunshine In" here at Ohio University.

Evan Millward,
OU SPJ President

Another One Bites the Dust

More doom and gloom for everyone this morning - but fear not! The next blog entry is VERY VERY exciting!

Three daily papers in Troy, Sidney and Piqua are scaling back by stopping circulation of their Tuesday editions. This comes from the Dayton Daily News this morning.

Read more here.

This is a continuing trend in the industry today - cutting a day or more and then promising more content on the Web. We'll see how this plays out for these papers and Brown Publishing.

Helpful Stuff

Sometimes editors and reporters need a little help from their friends. That’s why the Society of Professional Journalists is introducing the Journalists Toolbox. With more than 10,000 listed Web resources and links, this site is a one-stop destination for any reporter or editor working on any story or beat, from crime to the environment to religion.

Now the Society of Professional Journalists is proud to offer this dynamic and incredible resource, free of charge, to any and all. Just visit www.journaliststoolbox.org and see how this resource can work wonders for you! And be sure to bookmark the site and visit often.

Sincerely,
Scott Leadingham
Society of Professional Journalists
sleadingham@spj.org
317-927-8000 ext. 211