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Journalism high school seeks Principal

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/hartford/onlineapp/ or www.hartfordschools.org and follow the appropriate link.  Additional inquiries may be directed to Nancy Shannahan Williams, Senior Talent Recruiter, at nwilliams@hartfordschools.org.

College Contest now open for entries

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

  • Feature (A single article written because of some factor other than timeliness)
  • General Reporting (Any article not covered by other categories)
  • Editorial/Op-Ed or Opinion Column
  • General Column
  • Page 1 Layout
  • Non-Page 1 Layout
  • News Photo
  • Feature Photo
  • Sports Photo
  • Sports Feature Story
  • Sports News Story

Audio

  • Feature (A single story written because of some factor other than timeliness)
  • General Reporting (Any story not covered by other categories)
  • Commentary
  • General Column
  • Sports Feature Story
  • Sports News Story
  • Spot News

Video

  • Feature (A single story written because of some factor other than timeliness)
  • General Reporting (Any story not covered by other categories)
  • Commentary
  • General COlumn
  • Sports Feature Story
  • Sports News Story
  • Spot News

Institute for Justice and Journalism Accepting Fellowship Applications

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.

Read more →

Now Accepting Hall of Fame Nominations

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:

  • Those chosen to the Hall of Fame must have made a “significant, enduring contribution to journalism in Connecticut.”
  • They may be active, retired or dead. Please nominate individuals you think deserve this honor. No self-nominations are permitted.

The deadline for nominations is April 1, 2014.

Please direct questions and nominations to Jerry Dunklee at dunkleej1@southernct.edu.

CTSPJ Meeting Minutes

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

July 27, 2012 Special Meeting — Online

Oct. 23, 2012 Special Meeting — Online

The public’s right to know at risk, CCFOI says

By Ed Jacovino
Journal Inquirer
Wednesday, December 19, 2012

HARTFORD — The state Appellate Court says police can offer limited information in a news release and still meet the requirements for open government.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s office is refusing to name state employees who have been disciplined for fraudulently applying for welfare.

And the legislature is approving state employee contracts that overrule a state law requiring that personnel files be public information.

Those are some of the events of the past year that the Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information is taking issue with. And it has issued a report to legislature urging it to take action to ensure state government is accountable to the people.

Read more →

2012 Contest Open For Entries

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.

Read more →

Freelance Journalism Guide Available For Download

The national SPJ Freelance Committee has published a 77-page digital guide to help freelancers on topics from bookkeeping to branding.

The guide is free to download for all SPJ members. Click here to download the guide, called “On Your Own: A Guide to Freelance Journalism.”

It will also be sold as an e-book for a nominal fee, with the proceeds going toward committee programming.

SPJ’s Freelance Committee plans to update the guide on a regular basis and include more personal experiences from freelancers to reflect changes and trends in the marketplace.

SPJ also encourages freelance writers and editors not yet affiliated with the society to join and add their input to the guide.

Comments, suggestions and criticisms are welcome and should be made to David Sheets, the guide’s editor, by email at dksheets@gmail.com, or through Twitter at @DKSheets or LinkedIn.

Federal Shield Law Discussed at Connecticut ACLU Forum

By Ricky Campbell

The next step federal lawmakers must take to ensure full and free-flowing information is to enact a national shield law, according to the Connecticut chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

The group hosted a panel discussion on the topic recently, with Keith R. Johnson, a former foreign correspondent for Time and senior editor of Fortune, and John Miller, a former writer for NBC Nightly News and the Today show.

Miller recognized the importance of shield laws when Daniel and Philip Berrigan were placed on the FBI’s Top-10 Most Wanted List in 1968 for their elevated celebrity during Vietnam War protests.

The two brothers were interviewed repeatedly by news outlets, which refused to turn them in to the federal government.

Although Miller, who was a former writer for NBC Nightly News, never faced a situation where he needed to protect confidential sources, he pointed to the importance of confidentiality throughout his days in New York.

Johnson told a story of a reporter who was threatened with jail time when Judy Garland sued the author’s publication for libel. According to Johnson, the writer , Marie Torre, served 10 days behind bars for writing a story that called Garland “fat.”

Connecticut has its own form of shield law, protecting reporters who are using confidential sources. But there has yet to be a federal guideline issued. In 2007, Congress attempted a bill, but it never passed.

Connecticut SPJ presents: Weather reporting 101

By Lila Carney
Connecticut SPJ board member 

Weather is the most watched part of a TV newscast. It’s why people turn on their televisions at 4 a.m. It effects everyone.

I still remember last October’s snowstorm that trapped me in rainy Orlando with 12 college students, and left a good part of the Northeast without power for days.

How could we have planned better as reporters? How can we more effectively partner with our meteorologists? And most importantly, what will we be in for this winter — and fall?

The Connecticut Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists wants to help you be prepared to report on that next storm.

NBC Connecticut meteorologist Darren Sweeney will discuss how to better implement weather forecasts into your reporting.

Saturday, Oct. 27
10:15 a.m.
NBC Connecticut
1422 New Britain Ave.
West Hartford, CT 06110

Free for members, non-members and students

Copyright 2010-2017. Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists, P.O. Box 5071, Woodbridge CT 06525