Page 2 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
The Working Press Student staff
Cristina Boccio Arizona State University Designer Julieta Chiquillo Texas Christian University Copy editor Amanda Dolasinski The Ohio State University Reporter Breanna Gaddie Northern Kentucky University Photographer Joan Khalaf University of Texas at Arlington Copy editor Rashawn Mitchner Howard University Copy editor Jackie Palochko Ithaca College Reporter Meagan Racey University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Reporter Andrew Seaman Wilkes University Designer Josephine Varnier Virginia Commonwealth University Reporter Nicole Villoria University of Nevada, Las Vegas Photographer Emory Williamson University of Louisville Reporter
Professional staff
Dori Hjalmarson Lexington Herald-Leader Editor, The Working Press Joe Grimm Michigan State University J. Ben Kelly The Clarion-Ledger Danese Kenon The Indianapolis Star Billy O’Keefe Society of Professional Journalists Tony Peterson Society of Professional Journalists John P. Stamper Lexington Herald-Leader Reginald A. Stuart The McClatchy Co. Eunice Trotter The Indianapolis Star
SPJ Timeline: 1909-2009
Compiled by Julieta Chiquillo
Reporter, freed from Iran, to speak Saberi, once charged with espionage, to share her story By Jacqueline Palochko The Working Press
EUSTACIO HUMPHREY
Freelance journalist Roxana Saberi, who was imprisoned in Iran from Jan. 31 to May 11, will speak at the Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon at noon today. Saberi was charged with espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison. Her sentence eventually was overturned.
Roxana Saberi, the freelance journalist imprisoned in Iran from Jan. 31 to May 11, will be the keynote speaker at the Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon at noon today. An Iranian-American journalist born in New Jersey and raised in North Dakota, Saberi was charged with purchasing alcohol, an illegal act in Iran. Charges were changed, however, to reporting without credentials. In April, she was officially charged with espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison. An Iranian appeals court eventually overturned Saberi’s sentence but forbade her from reporting in Iran for five years. Chris Vachon, Society of Professional Journalists co-interim executive director, said she when she explained to Saberi that she would be speaking to college students, the 32-year-old journalist agreed.
“We're thrilled and honored that she agreed to come and speak.” ~ Chris Vachon, SPJ interim co-executive director
“The experiences that she went through at such a young age will make her a great speaker,” Vachon said. Lara Logan, CBS chief foreign affairs correspondent, had been scheduled as the keynote speaker, but canceled her visit when offered a reporting opportunity in Afghanistan. Vachon said SPJ closely followed Saberi’s case and tried intervening three times to advocate for her release. A dual citizen, Saberi lived in Iran for the past six years and freelanced
for the BBC, National Public Radio and Fox News. Saberi, a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, represented North Dakota in the 1997 Miss America pageant. “We’re thrilled and honored that she agreed to come and speak,” Vachon said. The luncheon recognizes the work of student journalists and their advisers. The luncheon will be in the Grand IV room at noon. Tickets are required and can be purchased for $45 at the registration desk.
The buzz about #SPJ100 "I recommend that people not get jailed during lunch time," said Neil Ralston, Legal Defense Fund committee member. Ralston was a having a difficult time raising bail money for LDF’s Jail ‘n' Bail game, which aims to collect funds for the account. LDF raises thousands of dollars every year to help journalists who need legal assistance and push for First Amendment protection legislation. People pay $5 to arrest a friend, who must remain in jail for an hour or raise $100 to be released. Steve Geimann, Sigma Delta Chi Foundation president, joined Ralston in jail after being charged with failure to yield to an oncoming editor. — Julieta Chiquillo • 1909: Founded as Sigma Delta Chi at DePauw Univ., Greencastle, Ind.
Tweetup now
While other convention attendees will be at the President’s Installation Banquet on Saturday night, others plan to attend a “Tweetup” instead. Tweetup, a meeting organized by convention attendees using the social networking Web site Twitter, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Loughmiller’s Pub and Eatery. But there’s a problem — a Loughmiller’s bartender said the nearby restaurant is closed Saturdays. Organizer Ron Sylvester said he is in talks with Loughmiller’s management. He said the group wants more participants so they can assure the manager of ad• 1910: Campus chapters founded at Univ. of Kansas, Univ. of Michigan and Denver Univ.
BREANNA GADDIE/The Working Press
To get more updates follow the SPJ convention at http://twitter.com/ search?q=%23SPJ100. equate attendance. “I don’t have the money,” Sonya Smith, a Tweetup organizer, said of the $65 banquet. “This is an in-
formal, free get-together.” Sign up for the Tweetup at spj100.eventbrite.com — Emory Williamson
• 1912: First national convention, Greencastle, Ind.; first issue of the organization’s magazine, Quill.
• 1913: First Wells Memorial Key award, the highest honor bestowed on a member, presented to Laurence H. Sloan.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 n The Working Press n Page 3
Reception talk: dogs, money and fire eating Compiled by Julieta Chiquillo, Amanda Dolasinski, Josephine Varnier, Emory Williamson The Working Press Optimism was on tap along with an open bar at the opening night reception Thursday night at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. “It’s the best time to be in journalism,” said Sue Porter, vice president of programs at the Scripps Howard Foundation. “It’s not just an evolution; it’s a revolution. That’s what I’m hearing here.” nnn According to a 1970s document – on display at the Harper Memorial Fund Auction on Thursday night – outlining the society’s policy on national conventions, the board of directors opposed accepting contributions from nonmedia organizations. Times have changed that. Eli Lilly & Co. and Geico are two sponsors for this year’s convention. nnn “I was a little disappointed the galleries weren’t open tonight,”
writer Debra Krol said. “I edit the publications for the Heard Museum in Phoenix, so I came to compare. But I freelance also, just like everyone around here. “When Heard has an event like this, we give tours,” she said. nnn One student journalist has an unusual fall-back skill. Fire eating. Larissa Kirsten Larivee, from Minnesota State University, Mankato, eats fire at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. She has been attending and re-enacting at the festival since she was 4. She said she was taught fire eating by the Guinness World Record holder for eating 68 torches in one minute. Larivee is running for campus representative on the SPJ Board of Directors. No word on whether there will be a demonstration at the convention. nnn Rodney Muhumuza, of Uganda, is baffled by one thing in the United States: Americans’ obsession with their pets. “Americans love their dogs more than they love themselves,” Muhumuza said. “There’s a recession
NIKKI VILLORIA /The Working Press
Browsing items up for auction, Lee Ann Harper mingles with SPJ convention attendees on Thursday at the Eiteljorg Museum. • 1916: Change from an honorary fraternity, with membership based on accomplishment, to professional
fraternity, with membership based on a particular field of professional education.
NIKKI VILLORIA /The Working Press
Former SPJ presidents Irwin Gratz, Robert Leger and David Carlson enjoy an evening of mingling and fundraising for the SPJ opening night reception and Harper Memorial Fund Auction. and unemployment, but people are still taking care of their dogs.” A reporter for the Kansas City Star, Muhumuza said he has en- By Amanda Dolasinski joyed the convention. He is a The Working Press recipient of the Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship, which brings in aspiring journalists from developMoney from the new Terry ing countries around the world. Harper Memorial Fund will go to nnn scholarships to help journalists atThe largest single donation for tend SPJ programming, President SPJ’s Legal Defense Fund Jail-N- Dave Aeikens announced ThursBail fundraiser came from John C. day night before an auction fundO’Connell. raiser benefitting the fund. Well, it’s not exactly his money. Harper, SPJ’s executive direcO’Connell, executive editor of tor, died June 2 after a long illHerald Community Newspapers, ness. He left $10,000 to SPJ and Harper made the $500 donation on behalf Sigma Delta Chi Foundation. The Auction items included a collecof the Press Club of Long Island $13,865 raised in the auction at the tion of front pages of newspapers chapter of SPJ. Opening Night Reception Thurs- announcing Barack Obama’s presThe money from the New day will add to $9,000 SPJ has idency and two tickets to a taping York-based group is something raised to supplement Harper’s gift. of “The Colbert Report.” O’Connell believes is imperative Separately, the John S. and James “We’re excited about this opporfor SPJ. L. Knight Foundation has donated tunity to create a lasting tribute to “This is what we ought to be do- $10,000 to the fund. him,” Aeikens said. ing,” he said.
Memorial to fund scholarships
• 1921: First professional chapters founded in Milwaukee, Seattle, Detroit, Des Moines and Chicago.
• 1926: First Code of Ethics adopted, borrowing from that of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
• 1928: First national headquarters opened, 836 Exchange Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Page 4 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Grieve job loss, and then move on By Amanda Dolasinski The Working Press After getting laid off, it’s OK to sit on the couch in pajamas and eat a pint of ice cream every day for a week — as long as there’s a deadline on the pity party. Each of the three guest speakers at the “Burned Out, Laid Off or Bought Out?” program Thursday has been laid off in the past year, and each has moved on to continue successful careers. Isha Cogborn was downsized from The Dow Chemical Co. in February. She took her time to grieve, then got down to business. “I had decided, long before I was laid off, when the time came, I wasn’t going to work for anybody else ever again,” she said. “I wasn’t going to work a 9 – 5 living somebody else’s vision.” Cogborn is now a life coach and speaker at the Epiphany Institute, Cogborn’s own coaching program for professionals and emerging leaders. She encourages those who have been laid off to take time to grieve and then revisit the positive times, such as winning awards. A person’s talent, ability, passion and experiences, what she calls “the tale of the TAPE,” are the qualities that can set the person apart. “They’ll give you an unfair, competitive advantage,” she said. “A layoff can be a do-over. Embrace that.” It took Holly Fisher a little bit longer to come to peace with her company’s decision to lay her off. Five minutes before 5 p.m. on a Wednesday, the two top bosses called her in for a meeting. She walked out unemployed. “I called my husband and said, ‘I’m going to be late. I have to clean up my desk − I don’t have a • 1926: First Code of Ethics adopted, borrowing from that of the American Society of Newspaper Editors.
Advice from experts • Take time to grieve, but set a deadline. • Revisit your track record. • Create a plan of attack (update resume, get a Web site, print business cards). • Do traditional networking. • Add yourself to online job boards such as Facebook and LinkedIn. • Let people know you’re on the job market; use past contacts. • Recognize a layoff as an opportunity in disguise.
job anymore,’” she said. Once she let herself grieve, she picked herself up. Fisher updated her resume, bought a domain name and ordered business cards. She informed sources whom she had become close to while working at SC Biz News that she was on the job market. Fisher found various freelancing assignments that way. “Think of how you want to package yourself,” she said. “There are a lot of things you can do and stay in communications.” Mark Scarp had more time to prepare for his layoff. In October, he was told he would be one of about half of the East Valley Tribune reporters laid off, effective Jan. 1. He realized he needed to stay in touch with his former colleagues at the Phoenix newspaper to get ahead. “It’s up to you to raise your profile,” he said. “The place where most people know where to find you isn’t where you are anymore. Let them know what you’re doing and that you’re on the job market.” Scarp is now an adjunct professor at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
• 1928: First national headquarters opened, 836 Exchange Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Page 6 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Community journalism touted
Regional meetings
Small newspapers called 'incredibly strong' Attend your region’s meeting to find out more about SPJ activities in your area. Regional director elections will also be held for regions 2, 3, 6, 10, 11 and 12.
Ryan Craig, editor and publisher of Todd County Standard in Elkton, Ky., speaks about small newspapers and their impact within the community Thursday during "The Bright Spot in Traditional Journalism: Community Journalism." terview before the Thursday sesBy Emory Williamson sion. “These community newsThe Working Press papers are extraordinarily strong. Benjy Hamm is reading the news Newspapers are in good shape; the economy is bad, but community and he isn’t happy. Headlines and stories claim the newspapers will be strong for a demise of the newspaper industry, time to come.” The panel discussion, moderbut Hamm said that’s not true. Hamm and journalists Ryan ated by Al Cross, Institute of Rural Craig and Rama Sobhani dis- Journalism and Community Issues cussed a bright spot within the director, highlighted the impact newspaper industry: community community newspapers have in their areas. newspapers. Cross said community news“It’s absurd,” said Hamm, Landmark Community Newspapers papers typically have less than LLC editorial director, in an in- 30,000 circulation.
“Community journalism is relationship journalism,” Cross said. “People want that product, and it’s the only source of authoritative news.” Hamm said the key to community newspaper success is a strong, close connection with loyal readers, the staff’s community visibility and a focus on local level events. It makes “people feel like they have to read it,” Hamm said. The outlook for the newspaper industry, however, looks anything but bright. According to graphicdesignr.net/ papercuts, a blog counting U.S. journalism layoffs, almost 13,500 jobs have been cut in 2009. Other newspapers, like the Ann Arbor News, cut all employees and stopped publication. The two largest papers in Hamm’s home state, the CourierJournal in Louisville, Ky. and the Lexington Herald-Leader, have cut nearly 100 employees since March. But Hamm showed several community newspapers like the Citrus County Chronicle in Florida and the Carroll County Times that have thrived. Many community newspapers increased circulation despite a struggling economy, large media market competition, locations in areas of high unemployment and newspaper price increases. Freelance journalist Susan McKee said she came to the session because of “intellectual curiosity” and lauded the interactive, personal relationships created through community newspapers. “You’re writing about people you know and things that matter,” McKee said. “It’s nice to see these small newspapers thriving.”
• 1934: The fraternity celebrated its 25th anniversary but also lost its national headquarters to a fire.
• 1942: First historic site in journalism marked by SDX, Vermont Gazette, Bennington, Vt.
EMORY WILLIAMSON / The Working Press
• 1935: SDX Awards started as Distinguished Service Awards.
Today, 4:45-5:45 p.m.
Region 1 ……………..…… CAPITOL I, LOBBY LEVEL States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire, New Jersey, New York, Central and Eastern Pennsylvania Region 2 …………………. CAPITOL II, LOBBY LEVEL States: Delaware, D.C., Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia Region 3 ………………… CAPITOL III, LOBBY LEVEL States: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, East Tennessee Region 4 ……………...…... GRAND I, SECOND FLOOR States: Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia Region 5 …………………. GRAND II, SECOND FLOOR States: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky Region 6 ………………… GRAND III, SECOND FLOOR States: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Region 7 ………………….. CHAMBER, LOBBY LEVEL States: Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska Region 8 …………………….. CAUCUS, LOBBY LEVEL States: Oklahoma, Texas Region 9 …………………… CABINET, LOBBY LEVEL States: Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming Region 10 ………………….. COUNCIL, LOBBY LEVEL States: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington Region 11 ………………... CONGRESS, LOBBY LEVEL States: Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands Region 12 ...………… SENATE I & II, SECOND FLOOR States: Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Western Tennessee • 1948: First fellowships awarded to Erwin Canham, Barry Faris and Harry J. Grant.
• 1959: 50-year convention, Indianapolis.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 n The Working Press n Page 7
Board may choose executive director soon By Meagan E. Racey The Working Press The Society of Professional Journalists’ new executive director may be chosen by November, an SPJ officer said during the board of directors meeting Thursday. The executive director search committee conducted phone interviews during last week with 20 of the original 180 applicants. The eight-person committee chose fewer than 10 finalists Thursday. Personal interviews with the finalists will take place during the next month. The committee will then make a recommendation to the full board, which will make the final decision. “We are very excited about the quality of people we have interviewed for this position,” said Ha-
git Limor, SPJ secretary-treasurer and search committee co-chair. The new executive director will charter a course for SPJ at one of its most important times in history, she said. Former Executive Director Terry Harper died June 2 after a twoyear battle with brain cancer. The board, officially meeting for the last time this year, also: • Restored the power of the president to appoint committee chairs. A 2007 motion set committee term limits at five years, but that policy violated SPJ bylaws by limiting presidential authority. Only convention delegates may change bylaws, which give the president power to “appoint and assign duties to committees that the president deems necessary.” • Revised chapter reporting stan-
dards and how chapters are ranked. Regional directors will now have to contact professional chapters for quarterly reports. The chapters still must submit annual reports. Criteria for chapter rankings now take into account economic conditions. • Voted to establish an endowment for the Terry Harper Memorial Fund. The proceeds will fund scholarships for SPJ members to attend SPJ professional development programs. The memorial fund committee is working out the scholarship process and amounts. Members have raised about $9,000 so far. • Decided to create an online SPJ Career Toolkit. Holly Edgell, Region 7 director, said plans for the toolkit include up-to-date career training sections, a professional
Meagan Racey/ The Working Press President Elect Kevin Z. Smith (right) presents a gift to President Dave Aeikens (left) during the board of directors meeting Thursday in the State Room at The Westin Indianapolis. advice blog, a guide to finding free resources and building multimedia
platforms, links to journalism job sites and a resume clinic.
Help raise money for SPJ’s Legal Defense Fund — and have fun doing it!
File “charges” against convention-goers! Send them to “jail”! Raise “bail” for a good cause!
• 1960: Sigma Delta Chi reorganized from a fraternity, a campus-based group, to a professional society, which
does not require ties to a college or university; regional system established with 11 regions.
• 1961: First full-time Quill editor, Clarence O. Schlaver.
• 1966: Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award first given to A.L. Higginbotham, Univ. of Nevada.
• 1969: Decision to admit women made at San Diego convention.
Page 10 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 Paid advertisement
Why agriculture needs technology to help meet a growing demand for safe, nutritious and affordable food
Keeping tabs on social networks Site gives potential employers a head's up
By Amanda Dolasinski The Working Press
ployees. About 34 percent of the time that search leads to a decision not to hire the candidate. The Ponemon Institute at ponemon.org, a Michigan-based research center that administers independent surveys regarding privacy issues, conducted the survey to find out how many human resource executives search the Web to get candid information about potential hires. The research looked at public and
out of a keg, I can’t discriminate because it has nothing to do with on-the-job duties,” she said. Murphy warned employers about understanding the legality of conducting a search and remaining objective. Her advice is to interview first and then get permission to do a background check. Murphy also teaches part time at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H., and she gives her stu-
• 1971: Caroline Ross Pokrzywinski becomes first woman elected to the board.
• 1972: Mark of Excellence Awards established.
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Three seconds is all the time it takes for a recruiter to search the deep Web and uncover drunken frat party photos and blog posts cursing out professors. years, In 1 With a food powerful the world population more food, and the help of of this must come onfrom will require efficiency-improving technology 2 line people finder, human resource departments are finding publicly available information not boasted about on resumes. Spokeo is a Web site more recruiters are relying on to get the inside scoop on potential employees — and all they need is an eyears, “If I see a recent college grad hanging upside down 1 address. ulation more food, and of this foodmail must come from 2 re efficiency-improving technology After getting a head’s up drinking out of a keg, I can’t discriminate because it from a former employee has nothing to do with on-the-job duties.” at a Kentucky television ~ Sue Murphy, station, 2009 Bowling National Human Resources Association Green State University graduate Matt Horn set restrictive privacy limits on his Facebook profile. The broadcasting grad said he was an intern with of this food must come from efficiency-improving technology 2 the station in college when a then- private corporations and govern- dents tips about preparing for an employee told him to clean up his ment agencies, among others, and interview. They include cleaning The U.N. projects world profile before his interview. determined that about 23 percent up their Web sites and using difpopulation will reach 9+ billion Horn was a step ahead, though. of recruiters scanned social net- ferent e-mail addresses for personby mid-century and has called for a 100 percent increase in He’d already heard that human working sites, such as Facebook al and professional information. world food production by 2050. The powerful people finder, resource executives scour social or MySpace. About 21 percent of According to the U.N., this networking Web sites, so he made the time, employers read through Spokeo at spokeo.com, actually doubled food requirement must started out as a social network agsure to never post any question- blog posts. come from virtually the same able material online. Sue Murphy, association man- gregation system. land area as today. In 2005, four roommates from “I made all of my pictures pri- ager of the National Human ReVisit Elanco at vate except my profile pictures, sources Association, said she Stanford University created it so booth #6 and enter to which are professional anyway,” predicts there will soon be laws users could simplify their digital win a free Kindle. Horn said. “I’ve gone through all with guidelines for employers to lifestyles. The foursome realized Internet of my comments and stuff that follow when performing interest users tend to claim their e-mail could be viewed as inappropriate, searches. and I deleted all of them.” She said employers need to be address as a common identifier. The latest research, completed careful with searches and how When all the sites were linked, Green, R. et al. January 2005. “Farming and the Fate of they were uncovering massive in 2007, shows about 35 percent they use that information. Wild Nature.” Science 307.5709: 550-555; and Tilman, D. et al. August 2002. “Agricultural sustainability and amounts of information quickly. of recruiters perform Google “If I see a recent college grad intensive production practices.” Nature 418.6898: 671-677. “We realized we created somesearches to review potential emhanging upside down drinking “World Agriculture: toward 2015/2030.” 2002. United
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Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome. Accessed 12/8/08. <ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/004/ y3557e/y3557e.pdf>. Elanco and the diagonal color bar are trademarks of Eli Lilly and Company. Q 2009 Elanco Animal Health. All rights reserved. AI 10751 (08/09)
• 1970: Student representatives added to board structure.
thing very powerful,” co-creator Harrison Tang said. More than 1 million users log into Spokeo every month to search more than 40 social networking Web sites, Tang said. It takes as little as three seconds to yield results. All an employer needs is an e-mail address, which most candidates include on their resumes. Tang said Spokeo will find any publicly posted information, including pictures, videos and blog posts. It cannot, however, break through privacy filters. “(Spokeo) can find it more than any other search engine because it searches the deep Web, which Google doesn’t,” Tang said. “Google does a poor job searching for people. We’re trying to improve that.” The Web site launched about three years ago and has been growing since. Tang said he just added a section for law enforcement professionals and would eventually like to throw in another section to search companies. Horn maintains profiles on Facebook and Twitter and said he understands why recruiters would want to check those accounts out before an interview. “It’s the simple fact that if you’re going into broadcasting, you have to keep a good public appearance,” he said. “I think if you’re going to get a job, you have to represent the company." • 1973: Organization name changed to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 n The Working Press n Page 11
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Few members use SPJ dues waiver 10 unemployed professionals get extension
By Joan Khalaf The Working Press Even after hundreds of newsroom layoffs, only 10 journalists have taken advantage of the free membership offered by the Society of Professional Journalists. SPJ launched a dues waiver program, which grants six months free membership to recently laid off members who can’t afford to renew their membership. SPJ lost 1,400 members in the past year. Current membership is 8,400. For receiving the membership extension, SPJ requires five hours of volunteer time. Joe Skeel, SPJ interim co-executive director, said he thinks the low number of participants may be because laid-off journalists are angry. “Many feel like the career they’ve dedicated themselves to has turned its back on them,” Skeel said. “Some see SPJ as unnecessary because they’re going to leave the industry altogether.” SPJ sent out an e-mail to members, posted the program information on its Web site and issued press releases when the program initially launched in April.
Secretary-Treasurer Hagit Limor admitted that SPJ needed to do a better job of publicizing the program and the prospects for the future of the industry. “People are just assuming that the jobs won’t be back,” she said. “Yes, there may not be the same jobs back, but there are different jobs in journalism out there.” According to an American Society of News Editors census to which 66 percent of U.S. daily newspapers responded, 5,900 newsroom jobs were lost in 2008, reducing employment in that industry by 11.3 percent. Television news experienced a 4.3 percent decline in employment by shedding 1,200 jobs in 2008, according to a Radio-Television News Directors Association and Hofstra University survey. Limor said she thinks many are simply opting out of journalism after being laid off. “We want to let them know you can still have that passion,” she said. Limor said it’s important that members continue to have access to the tools and training SPJ provides and not leave the business.
6000
To be eligible for a dues waiver, an applicant:
5000
•Recently received membership renewal notice but has not renewed it due to finances. •Was laid off from full-time media job and has yet to secure another full-time job. Freelancers are not eligible. •Must commit to volunteer five hours to SPJ.
4000 3000 2000 1000 0
“It’s just a blip,” she said. “If we stick with it through these rough times, we will find our way out the other side.” For Sarah Wright-Killinger, the program couldn’t have been offered at a better time when she fell victim to layoffs at Yahoo in May. The former Yahoo News product manager is currently a web strategy consultant for Global Green, a nonprofit organization pushing for more sustainable buildings and cities. Wright-Killinger, of Los Angeles, said she appreciates how SPJ is helping during this difficult time for the media. “A lot of people are jumping ship, and journalism jobs are shrinking by the minute,” she said. The SPJ board of directors met in April in Greencastle, Ind., and approved the dues waiver program. SPJ also took other steps to help journalists without jobs. The organization is offering one-day registration at the national convention, which saves attendees about 45 percent in registration fees. About 35 people took advantage of the one-day registration. “When the chips are down, we’re here to offer a helping hand,” Limor said.
Print journalists lost in 2008 at 66 percent of American dailies
Total SPJ members who left in 2008
• 1978: Pulliam Fellowship first awarded to Ross MacKenzie, Richmond, Va., News-Leader.
SPJ members using dues waiver program
• 1979: First female president elected, Jean Otto; first Distinguished Campus Advisers named: Paul Atkins,
Where to find the waiver form: www.spj.org/waiverrequest.asp Merrill Bankester, James Highland, Robert Warner.
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 n The Working Press n Page 13 CONVENTION from Front Page We did know it was “Obviously, with a bad year, we had to be conservative with money,” she said. But for other national journalism conventions, the economy meant sacrifices. The American Society of News Editors canceled its 2009 convention scheduled for April 26-29 in Chicago. In a February press release, then-President Charlotte Hall cited the challenging times faced by ASNE members as the reason for the cancellation. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists looked for sponsorships between October 2008 and March 2009, a difficult time for the economy. NAHJ brought in $400,300 in sponsorship money for its June 24-27 convention in Puerto Rico. Ivan Roman, executive director, said NAHJ brought in about $600,080 in 2008 and $805,000 in 2007. Roman said membership was down 36 percent this year, dropping from 2,200 to 1,400. “It’s been a bad year,” Roman said. “We did know it was going to be lower. We just didn’t know it was going to be this much lower.” Roman said some previous sponsors simply did not have the money to give. The NAHJ found sponsorships from Continental Airlines, State Farm Insurance and the U.S. Army. SPJ found sponsorships from the Pulliam family, Gannett Foundation, Eli Lilly & Co., Demand Studios, Scripps Howard Foundation, The Dart Society and Geico. The National Association of Black Journalists also found sponsorships from nontraditional sources. Karen Wynn Freeman, executive director, said Target was one of the biggest sources of money for the Aug. 5-9 convention in Tampa, Fla. “Small businesses don’t have the money to give us,” Freeman said. To save money, NABJ cut some
• 1984: 75-year convention, Indianapolis.
going to be lower. We just didn’t know it was going to be this much lower. ~ Ivan Roman, National Association of Hispanic Journalists
costs. Instead of printing, the program book was available online only. About 1,495 attended the NABJ conference, a lower number than in previous years. According to a 2008 NABJ press release, attendance at that year’s convention was 2,000. “Attendance was slightly down,” Freeman said. “But we also scaled the convention down cost wise to save us money.” Vachon said she thinks one reason attendance and sponsorships are up for SPJ this year is because of the focus on new media and interesting programs, such as the career center, a seven-step careerenhancement program. But at the NAHJ conference, multimedia and careers were also the focus. NAHJ also spent more money than what it usually spends on having wireless Internet connection installed in all the conference rooms so more multimedia training could be offered, even though NAHJ cut back on audio, visual and printing. Despite the focus on multimedia, however, 750 people attended the conference. “We only made a meager profit,” Roman said. Sponsors that have contributed to the conventions have made an impact on the conferences. “We know that times are tough,” Freeman said. “But the fact that these sponsors support us sends a strong message.”
• 1987: Code of Ethics revised.
Page 14 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Slippery Noodle Inn
372 S. Meridian St. • Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Thursday-Saturday • About .5 mile from the Westin • Dishes: From salads to the Indiana staple: breaded pork tenderloin • Price: Lunches about $10, dinners around $15 • Recommendation: Diner Julia Chrisman of Indianapolis suggests the Reuben sandwich. “It’s a fun place to go for younger people,” she said. • Extras: Live music nightly. Manager Rick Schmidt said the basement used to be a stop on the Underground Railroad and the upstairs a brothel. For a tour, call (317) 6316974 and ask for Hal.
Ike and Jonesy’s
17 W. Jackson Place (317) 632-4553 • Hours: 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Monday-Friday, 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday NIKKI VILLORIA/The Working Press • About .5 mile from the Westin The Blues Brothers on display at the Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana's oldest bar. The bar is located at • Dishes: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps and two daily 372 Meridian St. and hosts live blues music every week. lunch specials • Price: about $10 By Amanda Dolasinski • Recommendation: Manager Doc Wessner said the menu The Working Press is expanded in the summer and just started to offer wraps. For journalists on tight budgets who can’t afford the $45 SPJ lun- “We’re known for our half pound burgers,” he said. cheon or $65 banquet, don’t fret. Check out some of the local restau- • Extras: DJ and dancing every night starting at 9 p.m.
rants offering big meals for small spenders.
Red Eye Café
250 S. Meridian St. (317) 972-1500 • Hours: 24 hours • About .4 mile from the Westin • Dishes: all-day breakfast, finger foods and the country fried steak sandwich. • Price: $4.95 to $10 • Recommendation: Manager Katrina Cross said the biscuits and gravy is the most popular dish, even at night. • Extras: featured on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Two specials featured at Ike and Jonesy's located on Jackson Street in downtown Indianapolis. NIKKI VILLORIA/The Working Press
• 1988: Name changed to Society of Professional Journalists.
• 1990: National headquarters moved from Chicago to Greencastle, Ind.
• 1996: New detailed Code of Ethics was adopted.
• 2000: National headquarters moved to Indianapolis.
• 2001: SPJ unveiled its newly enhanced Web site with features.
LOCALS RECOMMEND Acapulco Joe’s 365 N. Illinois St. (317) 637-5160 About .6 mile from the Westin Mexican dishes
Friday, Aug. 28, 2009 n The Working Press n Page 15
(BELOW) Bonnie and Darrel Wilson take some time to enjoy The Red Eye Cafe in downtown Indianapolis. (RIGHT) Restaurant and bar Ike & Jonesy's entertains patrons with live music and a DJ. (BOTTOM) The Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana's oldest bar.
Country Kitchen 1831 N. College Ave. (317) 926-4476 About 2.7 miles from the Westin Soul food Dick’s Bodacious Bar BQ 50 N. Pennsylvania St. (317) 916-9600 About .5 mile from the Westin Smoked chicken, ribs Indianapolis City Market 222 E. Market St. (317) 634-9266 About .6 mile from the Westin Collection of several restaurants, including Middle Eastern and Italian food Front Page Tavern 310 Massachusetts Ave. (317) 631-6682 About .9 mile from the Westin Bar eats and drinks Maxine’s Chicken & Waffles 132 N. East St. (317) 423-3300 About 1 mile from the Westin Wings, fish, omelets Scotty’s Brewhouse 3905 E. 96th St. (317) 574-0101 About 22 miles from the Westin Burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, bar Steak ’n Shake 101 W. Maryland St. (317) 634-8703 About .1 mile from the Westin Hamburgers, hot dogs, shakes
NIKKI VILLORIA/The Working Press
• 2004: National committee for freelancers created to serve the growing number of freelance journalists.
• 2005: Launch of SPJ Leads, a weekly e-newsletter sent to all members.
• 2009: 100 years of SPJ celebrated at DePauw University; a six-month membership waiver instituted for
a growing number of journalists who have lost their jobs; 100-year convention, Indianapolis.
View interactive timeline at SPJ.ORG
Page 16 n The Working Press n Friday, Aug. 28, 2009
Behind bars for a good cause
Jail-N-Bail raises cash for SPJ Legal Defense Fund
BREANNA GADDIE/The Working Press
Neil Ralston (left), SPJ vice president of campus chapter affairs, and Steve Geimann, president of the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation, plead for bail for their release during the SPJ Convention Jail-N-Bail on Thursday. The fundraiser puts journalists behind bars for an hour or until at least $100 is raised for SPJ's Legal Defense Fund.