Diversity issues highlighted at the 2008 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference
Celebrate diversity, learn how to diversify sources and identify disparities at the 2008 SPJ Conference & National Journalism Convention, Sept. 4-7 in Atlanta, Ga.
Listed below is a mere sampling of the professional development programs at this year’s Convention designed to increase your knowledge on how to add diversity to your publication or broadcast!
International News in the World of Globalization
Description: With globalization increasing each day on political, economic and cultural levels, it becomes even more important for newspapers, magazines, online and other publications to focus on international news. In addition, with the recent consensus showing the increase of immigrants from countries around the globe, it makes it just as crucial to provide international news to a diverse and rich community. This session would focus on the significance of international news and the vital role it must play in the world of globalization.
Speakers: TBA
Finding, Sourcing and Writing Stories That Matter About Disability
Description: The disability community is the largest minority group in America, yet media coverage focuses on those we pity, those who inspire us, and those who need our charity. This session will explore substantive stories about people with disabilities and the civil rights issues that are critically important to them, beyond the health/medical beat. We'll explore newsroom attitudes that inhibit better coverage, and how to integrate disability issues into all beats - from business to arts to sports. We'll also share ideas on how to interview sources who have mobility, speech or hearing impairments so the interviewer and interviewee are both comfortable.
Speaker: Susan LoTempio, assistant managing editor/readership, Buffalo News
What Else Can We Report About Latinos?
Description: It's a fact that the Latino population is growing and becoming increasingly important, but how can we, as a reporters and editors, reflect that? Often, Latinos are portrayed stereotypically in the news as part of a crime, gang or immigration issue. Are these the only topics we can cover about Latinos? What can we add to mainstream newscasts and publications that would provide more coverage about the Latino community?
Speaker: Rodrigo F. Cervantes, editor, Mundo Hispánico
Leap the Digital Divide: Communicating to Communities of Color Online
Description: What do Univision.com, BlackPlanet.com and The Washington Post’s TheRoot.com know that many others don’t? The Internet is a great way to drill down into a community. As old paradigms fade, innovators at the leading edge share the knowledge they are developing about strategies for community connection and news online.
Speakers: TBA
The Jena Six: What We Learned
Description: A noose hanging from a tree, arson at the Jena High School and schoolyard fight are just some of the incidents that led to a story now often referred to as the “Jena Six.” The Jena Six are six black teenagers who were initially charged with attempted murder for beating up a white teenager. The emotional and racially charged story captivated this Louisiana town. Hear from reporters who have been covering this story from the beginning and how it has impacted their lives, their news outlets and their work as journalists.
Speakers: Abbey Brown, reporter, The Town Talk, Alexandria, La.; Bonnie Gonzalez, news reporter, KLAX-TV, Alexandria, La.
For a full list of programs offered at this year’s Convention & National Journalism Conference, visit http://www.spj.org/c-programs.asp.