Two upcoming events will offer Connecticut freelancers a chance to get advice and share ideas about the freelancing business.
The first, scheduled for May 23 in Westport, is hosted by the editorial freelancers association. Click here for more details.
The second event will be held on June 5 in West Hartford. Click here for more details.
The Hartford Public Schools is seeking a collaborative, dynamic, motivated, and inclusive school leader as Principal of the Journalism and Media Academy Magnet School (JMA). JMA is a program designed for those with an interest in the fields of journalism and media. Its goal is to prepare media-literate, college-ready students who can access, analyze, evaluate, and produce both print and electronic media. Media literacy builds an understanding of the role of media in society and provides students with the essential skills of inquiry and self-expression. All courses focus on critical reading and the development of high-level writing skills—exposing students to various formats of reading and writing while teaching them to understand the language, power, and business of the media world.
Moving to a new state of the art facility in 2013, JMA aims to provide its students with learning environments designed specifically to meet the needs of students learning about the media field—complete with working TV and radio studios, as well as technology and software used in the industry. Moreover, the school has a unique connection with Connecticut Public Broadcasting Network (CPBN), which will soon be offering students intensive and rewarding internships for the duration of their senior year.
The successful applicant selected for this position will be a champion of JMA’s theme. The candidate will exhibit the ability to support current media integration practices, as well as identify new practices that lead to improved student engagement and achievement. The candidate will have a strong Grades 9—12 background and a firm understanding of the range of academic, social, and emotional needs of students within these grades. Of utmost importance is a commitment to urban education in order to close the achievement gap and ready students for success in rigorous post-secondary education settings.
To apply to Job Id 1662, please visit: http://www.applitrack.com/
By Jodie Mozdzer Gil, CTSPJ President
The state legislature is reviewing two bills that limit the public’s ability to get public information.
Both proposals prohibit journalists from fully doing their jobs and prevent the public from remaining fully informed on issues of public concern.
The first is the proposal to redefine meetings under the FOI Act (Bill No. 1148). This proposal would allow “members of different political parties” to hold closed-door discussions about proposed legislation or action of their public agency.
That’s a concerning change to the current law, which allows closed-door meetings (executive sessions) in only specific scenarios, with a statement of what topic will be discussed.
So if this bill is approved, what could be discussed behind closed doors? What discussions of public concern will be shielded from review? The consequences are frightening.
The Connecticut SPJ Board is drafting a statement opposing the proposal. Click here to get more information on the bill, including testimony from a public hearing held March 25. Click here for an overview on the Hartford Courant’s Capitol Watch blog.
The second concerning proposal is the effort to limit public access to death certificates, in the wake of the Sandy Hook shootings on Dec. 14 (Bill No. 5733).
In testimony before the Joint Committee on Public Health, opponents of the bill outlined the limited information already included in death certificates, and argued that there are legitimate reasons why open death certificates are useful to the public. For example, if a child dies while at a child-care center or in state custody, it is important to understand better what happened.
The Hartford Courant and the New London Day had editorials this week opposing the bill.
“Emotions should not drive public policy,” The Day’s editorial says.
Click here for an article on the proposal from the Hartford Courant.
The CTSPJ College journalism contest is now open for entries.
All Connecticut college media outlets are eligible to enter the contest. The deadline for entries is April 27, 2013 at 5 p.m.
To enter the contest, visit the contest website here. Make sure to pick “College Contest” as your circulation type under the main category drop-down menu.
For more information, please contact CTSPJ President Jodie Mozdzer Gil at jmozdzer@ctspj.org or Immediate Past President Cindy Simoneau at csimoneau@ctspj.org.
The categories are as follows. Or click here to download a PDF with the categories.
Print/Online
Audio
Video
Institute for Justice and Journalism Press Release
The Institute for Justice and Journalism is accepting applications for its 2013 Immigration in the Heartland professional fellowship program, which will focus on children in immigrant families, who count for one in four of all U.S. youngsters. The program will explore the economic and educational challenges these children face and how immigration policies have deeply impacted them, even though about 88 percent are U.S. citizens.
The Connecticut Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists established the Hall of Fame in 1997. Inductees are listed with brief bios here.
To nominate someone write a 1-page letter indicating why you think this individual should be considered. All nominations must include the form (download nomination form here).
A committee appointed from the CT SPJ Board of Directors judges the nominees and chooses those to be honored.
Rules:
The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2014.
Please direct questions and nominations to Jerry Dunklee at dunkleej1@southernct.edu.
The CTSPJ board approved the following minutes at its December 2012 meeting.
Click each link to download a Word document with the minutes.
July 23, 2012 Special Meeting — Conference Call
The following are all the categories for the 2012 Excellence in Journalism Contest. Click here to download a printable PDF with the categories.
SPECIAL PLAQUE AWARDS
open to all media circulations
Stephen A. Collins Public Service Award
A single story or stories having a significant impact in the public interest. Entries must include supporting documentation such as letters, editorials, evidence of a change in public policy, etc. showing how the entry had an impact.
Theodore Driscoll Award For Investigative Reporting
A single story or formal series containing information, obtained through reporter initiative, not readily available to the news media or public.
First Amendment Award
A single story, column or series that increases public understanding of the role of the press in a free society.
2012 SPECIAL CATEGORIES
Hurricane Sandy
Spot News
Page 1 Layout
Non-Page 1 Layout
News Photo
Newtown Shooting
Spots News
Page 1 Layout
Non-Page 1 Layout
News Photo
General Reporting
EDITORIAL
General Column
Opinion Column
Editorial Cartoon
Op-Ed Column
Single Editorial
REPORTING
In-Depth Series
In-Depth Reporting
Investigative Series
Investigative Story
Spot News
Feature
Feature Series
General Reporting
General Reporting Series
Arts & Entertainment
Business
SPORTS
Sports News
Sports Feature
Sports Column
PHOTOGRAPHY
Sports Photo
Feature Photo
Photo Layout
News Photo
LAYOUT
Page 1 Layout
Non-Page 1 Layout
Headline
GRAPHICS
Informational Graphic
MULTIMEDIA
Video Storytelling
Audio Storytelling
Interactive Graphic – Reporting
Interactive Graphic Design
A collection of reflections and articles on how news organizations in Connecticut have covered the school shooting in Newtown Dec. 14.
Newtown Bee Coverage
CTMirror: At the Newtown Bee: Reporting While Grieving
Poynter: How The Newtown Bee Is covering Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting
Slate: Newtown Bee: “Please Stay Away From The Victims”
Journalists Reflect
Matt DeRienzo: A newspaper company comes together to cover Newtown
CJR: A laurel to the Hartford Courant
Michael Bellmore: Last night I wasn’t happy
Dwight Silverman: A journey to Newtown
If you know of other reflections from Connecticut journalists, please send a link to CTSPJ Vice President of Communications, Jamie DeLoma, at jdeloma@ctspj.org.
Over the last several days, Connecticut journalists have worked harder than ever to keep the state — and the nation — informed of the latest details regarding the Dec. 14 school shooting in Newtown.
It’s just one example of the difficult and important job Connecticut reporters undertake every day.
It can sometimes be a thankless job – one filled with new demands, pressures and criticisms.
That’s why the Connecticut Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists hosts the annual Excellence in Journalism Contest.
We want to recognize the quality work being done at Connecticut news outlets – and honor the best of the best.