NKU seeking adjuncts for news writing, digital publishing

We're looking for adjuncts to teach three classes at NKU in the spring semester, which starts in January. There are two sections of News Writing and one section of Digital Publishing. We’re looking for people who have journalism experience and a master’s in a related field is required. 

If interested, please contact Michele Day directly at:

Michele Day

Lecturer/Student Media Adviser

Department of Communication 

Northern Kentucky University

528 Griffin Hall,  Highland Heights, KY 41099

daymi@nku.edu

Region 4 meeting highlights at the National SPJ convention

Reporting by Tom McKee, President
 
Representatives of the SPJ professional and student chapters of Region 4 gathered for a one-hour update during Excellence In Journalism Conference in New Orleans.

Here are the highlights.

1. The 2017 Spring Regional Conference will be hosted by the Detroit professional chapter on March 17-18.  Program ideas are welcome. The contact is treasurer Mike Ramsey. The event will likely be in partnership with Wayne State University.

2. Cleveland will host the Ohio SPJ Awards Luncheon in 2017.  The location has not been determined. The 2016 luncheon in Columbus drew nearly 100 people, reflecting a contest that has grown in the number of entries.  The Columbus folks say that’s due to new categories being provided — especially in the freelance areas.  
3. The national office is evaluating costs associated with on-line platforms for regional contests. All chapters need to do is indicate their willingness to participate in the study of using one of three possible platforms.  There is no obligation.  This is just a review of costs.
4. Two chapters in Florida and one in Washington have had their charters revoked and the balance of their $25,000 in finances has been turned over to national. Works are underway to develop a system on how to apply for grants from this sum.
5. An exploratory study is underway on possibly reducing the size of the 23-member national board and change the focus of its operations to strategic from day-to-day operations.  

National SPJ board structure studied

By Tom McKee, President

How many members should sit on the board of directors of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)? Who should be on the board? Should the board’s focus change?

Those are some of the questions posed by the SPJ governance task force charged with mapping out a plan of action.

An overview of possible changes was discussed in great detail in a one-hour membership session during the excellence in journalism 2016 convention in New Orleans.

The task force has been meeting for several months and now feedback is being sought from every member. The number of board members now stands at 23, but the thought is a total between five and 11 might be more efficient.

Georgia Pro Chapter and National SPJ work to allow public record requests in Georgia

By Tom McKee, President

Imagine being arrested on felony charges simply for making a public records request. While it sounds like something from a science fiction movie, it actually happened in Georgia.

The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) made it a point to step in and help defend the public’s right to know.

Mark Thomason, publisher of the Fannin Focus in Blue Ridge, Georgia, was charged with three felonies, including one for making a false statement on his public records request.

Thomason spoke to SPJ delegates during the Excellence in Journalism 2016 convention in New Orleans and they approved a resolution commending him.

National SPJ conference holds 'Spotlight' session with Marty Baron

By Tom McKee, President

There is a great deal of investigative reporting going on in the country right now, but more is needed to keep the public informed.

That was the message delivered by Marty Baron to journalists from across the country during the Excellence In Journalism ’16 Convention in New Orleans.

Baron was the Boston Globe’s Editor when the paper’s Spotlight Team published an exhaustive series of stories about Catholic priests sexually abusing children and the church covering it up.

The effort began modestly with a single column that raised questions about one priest abusing eight children.  

SPJ inducts new president Lynn Walsh

By Tom McKee, President

Thinking outside the box will be the rule, not the exception, for Lynn Walsh over the year.

Walsh was inaugurated Tuesday as the new President of the Society of Professional Journalists, (SPJ) capping the organization’s convention in New Orleans.

“Journalism has changed and I want SPJ to change with it,” she said.

Goals for the upcoming year will focus on freedom of information legislation, ethics, diversity, fairness and accountability.

“We need to protect the right of the public to get information,” Walsh added.

The outcome of the presidential election will go a long way toward determining whether that will happen and Walsh said she is concerned about the possible impact.

“The result will most likely be chaos,” she said.

However, that will present opportunities for SPJ to step in in its role of protecting the first amendment.

“We need to be proactive, not reactive,” she said.  “We need to act before someone ends up in prison or in a courtroom.  Too many fights end up in court and that’s unacceptable.

Walsh assumed the SPJ presidency from Paul Fletcher, who served in the position during 2015-2016.

Cincinnati SPJ congratulates Lynn Walsh SPJ's 100th President!

Lynn Walsh

Paul Fletcher and Lynn Walsh

Congrats to Lynn Walsh as she assumes the role as SPJ's 100th president!

(Photos by Tom McKee)

Delegates vote against SPJ name change

(Photo by Tom McKee)

Delegates vote against setting process in motion to change SPJ name to Society for Professional Journalism.

The ethics of drones discussed at National SPJ convention

Story and photos by Tom McKee, President

Drones are the newest tool being used by many news organizations to enhance their coverage. While the equipment in being updated and improved yearly, the rules of how and when to use them are still being developed.
There are flight operations requirements just issued by the federal aviation administration.

There are legal issues for which case law is still developing and laws that have yet to be written. However, there are ethical guidelines that are already in place from the society of professional journalists.

The dos and don’ts were discussed in great detail during the excellence in journalism convention in New Orleans. The presenter was Andrew Seaman, chair of the SPJ ethics committee, to journalists from around the world.

Highlights from #EIJ16 in New Orleans!

(Photo by Ginny McCabe)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photos by Ginny McCabe - except where noted by Tom McKee)

SPJ National names Cincinnati Small Chapter of the Year

By Tom McKee, President

The Greater Cincinnati Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has been named the national Small Chapter of the Year.

The award was presented Sunday at the SPJ National Convention in New Orleans.  It’s the second time in three years that the chapter has earned the honor.

Accepting on behalf of the chapter were President Tom McKee, Vice-President Jenny Wohlfarth, Treasurer Hagit Limor and Secretary Ginny McCabe.

National SPJ President Paul Fletcher cited the chapter’s planning and production of a joint 

Region 4/Region 5 conference in Cincinnati in April as one of the reasons for the award.

Cincinnati SPJ wins national Small Chapter of the Year Award #EIJ16

Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter wins national Small Chapter of the Year award at SPJ convention in New Orleans! Congrats, Cincinnati SPJ #cincyspj #EIJ16

Cincinnati Police Department unveils new Open Data Portal

Cincinnati Police Department and Cincinnati SPJ partner to offer local media seminar

By Tom McKee, President

Through the City of Cincinnati's transparency in government efforts, The Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) has unveiled a new Open Data Portal designed to provide easier access to crime incident reports and calls for service information.

The Greater Cincinnati Professional Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is partnering with police to help journalists know how to use it.

The police and SPJ held two training sessions on the portal and new public records request protocols September 14th at the Police Academy in Lower Price Hill.

Cincinnati Police Department and Cincinnati SPJ partner for successful public records requests seminars

Cincinnati Police Department and Cincinnati SPJ partnered for a packed media forum on Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Several dozen journalists from major media outlets in Cincinnati attended the 2, one-hour sessions - at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Here are some of the seminar highlights in photos. (Photos by Tom McKee, Hagit Limor and Ginny McCabe)

Read more on the seminars here: http://cincyspj.blogspot.com/2016/09/cincinnati-police-department-unveils.html

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Tom McKee)

(Photo by Hagit Limor)

(Photo by Hagit Limor)

(Photo by Ginny McCabe)

(Photo by Ginny McCabe)

(Photo by Ginny McCabe)

(Photo by Ginny McCabe)

CPD/SPJ host two pubic records requests seminars

By Hagit Limor, Treasurer 

Society of Professional Journalists hosts session at Cincinnati Police training facility in Price Hill on how to use their software to quickly obtain body camera videos, 911 calls and other public records requests. First seminar at 10 a.m. Another session at 2 p.m.

Reminder to RSVP - Sept. 14 - CPD/SPJ Media Public Records Requests Seminars

Reminder to RSVP: Tomorrow, Wed., Sept. 14 - CPD/SPJ Media Public Records Requests Seminars at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. More information and to RSVP go to: http://cincyspj.blogspot.com/2016/09/media-public-records-requests-seminars_5.html

Columbus hosts Ohio SPJ awards 2016

By Joe Meyer, SPJ Central Ohio Chapter Treasurer 

Nearly 100 of Ohio’s top journalists attended the 2016 SPJ Awards/Ohio’s Best Journalism luncheon Saturday, Aug. 27 at The Boat House restaurant in Columbus.

The Ohio’s Best Journalism contest is staged annually by the state’s three Society of Professional Journalists chapters — of Central Ohio, Cincinnati and Cleveland. The SPJ Awards banquet rotates among the three cities, with Columbus hosting this year’s event and Cleveland set to host in 2017.

SPJ Greater Cincinnati Program: Media Public Records Requests Seminars on Sept. 14

Eliot K. Isaac
Police Chief

Public Information Office
(513) 352-3519

MEDIA PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS SEMINARS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH, 2016

The Cincinnati Police Department has updated its process on how to submit public records requests to best meet the needs of the media and the public. The new online records request system and the availability of information through the City of Cincinnati’s Open Data portal are two ways members of the media can make your requests more efficient.

The Cincinnati Police Department is partnering with the Society of Professional Journalists Greater Cincinnati Pro Chapter to offer a pair of free seminars to help ensure journalists fully understand how to submit the most effective requests possible in order to receive the most time efficient response.