INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- 05/23/08 --
The Society of Professional Journalists
will host the second of three Citizen Journalism Academy programs June 7 at
Guilford College's Frank Family Science Center, Bryan Junior Auditorium.
The workshop will teach citizens how to practice accurate and ethical
journalism. The Society aims to help participants understand how such
practices could increase reach and reputations within a specified community
and around the world.
"As people are practicing journalism through blogs, Web site production and
interaction with sites maintained by mainstream news organizations, they are
contributing to the daily news cycle while influencing how community
members get their news and perceive the world around them," said SPJ
President Clint Brewer. "SPJ sees this as an opportunity to help citizen
journalists by arming them with the tools they will need to be an effective
citizen journalist or community watchdog."
Topics in these one-day workshops will explore:
-- Journalism ethics. The new-media landscape is rife with dilemmas for
anyone wanting to report accurately, fairly and outside the bounds
of special interests.
-- The basics of media law. The same longstanding laws concerning libel,
slander and access to people and information apply to 21st-century
news-gatherers.
-- Access to pubic records and meetings. Public information can add
substance and value to every news story. But knowing where to look
for it can be tough.
-- Standard and responsible reporting practices. With media ethics and
law in mind, how else should news-gatherers approach sources?
-- The use of technology. We'll show you an array of tools you could
start using -- or continue using even more effectively.
The program will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost to attend the
Citizen Journalism Academy is $25, which includes lunch and course
materials. For more information about this program or to register, visit
http://spj.org/cja.asp. Please note, the registration deadline is May 24
and seating is limited.
Other upcoming Citizen Journalism Academy workshops include Los Angeles on
June 28.
Funding for this program is provided by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, a
tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public foundation organized for the purpose of
supporting the educational programs of the Society of Professional
Journalists and to serve the professional needs of journalists and students
pursuing careers in journalism.
Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, The Society of Professional Journalists
is the nation's largest and most broad-based journalism advocacy
organization. SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a
well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation
of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of
speech and press. For further information on SPJ, please visit www.spj.org.
Contact:
Clint Brewer
President
(615) 301-9229
Email Contact
Beth King, APR
Communications Manager
(317) 927-8000, ext. 211
Email Contact
