The SPJ Ethics Committee has brought forward the proposed revision to the Ethics Code, which has been under consideration since last year’s national conference. The delegates, of which I am one, will vote on it at tomorrow’s business meeting. Here’s a link to the revised code if you’d like to review it. I’d welcome any comments or input from Arkansas Pro members.
APME offering Austin News Train workshop
Associated Press Media Editors is putting on a workshop at the University of Texas in Austin on Aug. 22-23, and the $75 registration includes breakfast, lunch and snacks.
According to Jamie Stockwell, managing editor of the San Antonio Express-News, sessions will include planning and coaching across all platforms, creating viral content, mining data for stories, beat mapping and using video to enhance overall storytelling.
More details can be found here: http://bit.ly/AustinNewsTrain
UofA Extension Service job opening
The University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, an arm of the Division of Agriculture, is seeking someone with journalism and social media skills to fill a full-time position. For more details, visit the online job posting here.
Freelancers Union offers benefits package nationwide
This could be a game-changer for a lot of journalists who are — or who are interested in — working as freelancers. The Freelancers Union, based in New York City, has announced that it will make a benefits package available nationwide. Freelancers will be able to obtain health insurance, retirement, and other benefits.
Full details are here.
Having just taken a staff position after six years as a freelancer, I’m not in the market for this. But there are a lot of freelancers working in journalism and other fields in Arkansas. If you’re one and you check this out, please let us know what you decide about it.
Health Care Journalism Fellowships Available
The Association of Health Care Journalists is accepting applications for their Regional Health Journalism Fellowship. You can find more information at the link here.
Former KUAR Broadcaster Ron Breeding has died
I just learned that Ron Breeding, who for years was a familiar voice on public radio station KUAR-FM in Little Rock, has died. I don’t have any more details, but I’ll post a link to an obituary once I have it.
I got to work with Ron briefly while I was doing a freelance project for KUAR a few years ago. I found him to be an old-school radio man, whose office was filled with mementos of a long career. I’m sure he had many interesting stories to tell, and I’m sad I didn’t have a chance to sit down with him and hear them. Rest in peace, Ron.
AG sets April 30 forum on FOIA
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has partnered with the Arkansas Pro Chapter of SPJ, Arkansas Press Association, and the Arkansas Broadcasters Association to put on a forum to discuss the state’s Freedom of Information Act on April 30. You can find more information at this link for the 2014 Arkansas FOIA Forum.
The forum will be the only FOIA session held by the AG’s office this year, following several years of an FOIA Roadshow that traveled around the state.
It’s free and open to the public. Please try to attend and get the word out to your readers and viewers.
ROOM CHANGE: Libel seminar at UALR on March 21
Greetings,
The Arkansas Press Association has announced a two-hour seminar on Friday, March 21, with legal professionals who will discuss legal issues that journalists can face, including libel laws.
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The seminar is $10 for working journalists and free for students, and will be limited to 50 people. It will be held from 2-4 p.m. in ROOM 123 of Ross Hall on the campus of UALR. It will be led by John Tull, who consults with the Press Association on FOIA issues.
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For more information or to reserve your seat, RSVP to Frank Fellone at ffellone@arkansasonline.com.
Scholarships available for EIJ14 in Nashville
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Excellence in Journalism 2014 (EIJ14)Â is the must-attend journalism conference of the year — and you could get help with conference expenses.
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Through three scholarship programs, the Society of Professional Journalists will send several members to Nashville, Tenn., for EIJ14. Each scholarship covers a conference registration and some travel expenses, among other benefits unique to each award.
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From Sept. 4 to 6, about 1,000 journalists will gather for exceptional networking and training opportunities, not to mention the variety of resources available in the Journalism Expo. Even if you’re not eligible for a scholarship, start planning your trip to EIJ14.
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More on the scholarships:
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The Diversity Leadership Program invites six members to participate in the program and connect with the Society at EIJ14. Applicants are from groups underrepresented in journalism, have at least three years of post-collegiate journalism experience and have been SPJ members for at least one year. Read more about applying to be a Diversity Leadership Fellow.
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SPJ awards four Terry Harper Memorial Scholarships. Terry served as executive director of SPJ from 2002 to 2009 and passed away after a two-year battle with brain cancer. While at SPJ, Terry prioritized providing journalists with high-caliber professional training, and this scholarship enables professional members to receive it at EIJ14. Here are application details.
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There’s a scholarship for students, too. The Robert D.G. Lewis First Amendment Award honors an active student member of SPJ who has shown great dedication to the First Amendment. Bob Lewis was a 48-year member of SPJ when he died in 2012. He served as national president and chair of the national Freedom of Information Committee. He also received the Wells Key, the highest honor for an SPJ member. Apply here.
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All applications are due May 12. Please contact SPJ headquarters at317.927.8000 with questions.
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Free EIJ14 registration? There’s no reason not to apply.
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The Society of Professional Journalists | 3909 N. Meridian Street | Indianapolis | IN | 46208
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Registration open for SPJ Region 12 Conference
The Northwest Arkansas Chapter and University of Arkansas Chapter of the SPJ will host this year’s Region 12 Conference, April 11 and 12 in Fayetteville. Early bird registration ends at midnight on March 28, so if you get your reservation in now you’ll save ten bucks to spend on beer. Or, uh, conference materials. Yeah, those, too.
For more information on the conference, presenters, accommodations, and to register online, visit the Region 12 website at SPJRegion12.com.Â
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Society of Professional Journalists | Arkansas Pro Chapter 