Join the Greater L.A. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Los Angeles Press Club for a night of scary stories from the world of politics.

Speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

Drinks will be served.

When:  Thursday, Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Where:  Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90027

Cost: $10. Credit cards, checks and cash accepted.

Parking: Free parking is available in the lot behind the theater. Access off Berendo Street.

Metro: The theater is three blocks from the Metro Red Line stop at Sunset/Vermont.

RSVP: spjlosangeles@gmail.com

A reporter asks Pia Sundhage, the head coach of the Swedish women’s football team, about her ability to coach a men’s team. Michael Phelps’ silver medal takes top billing while Katie Ledecky’s world-record medal is relegated to a subhead. A newspaper tweets that “Phelps shares historic night with African-American” in reference to Simone Manuel’s historical gold medal.

These are just a few examples of how media coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio seemed to come from a mindset that might have prevailed at the 1932 summer games. What was that so? Have we learned nothing over the years about the need for racial and gender sensitivity? Was there more insensitive and discriminatory coverage this year or did it just seem like it because of social media? How does such coverage affect the public? What can be done to improve sports coverage in the future?

These are among the questions to be exploredThursday, Sept. 22, 2016 by a panel convened by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the 90-minute program will begin at 7 sharp.

Panelists will be:

Jackie Pepper, a sports journalist who produced short-form videos for Yahoo Sports during the Olympics and has also produced content for USA Today and NFL Network.

David Wharton, lead Olympic reporter for the L.A. Times and affiliated newspapers who went to Rio early to cover IOC meetings and write a blend of features, issue stories and, of course, lots of Ryan Lochte.

Marcella DeVeaux, Ph.D., a tenured Associate Professor of Journalism at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Depth Psychologist. As a media    expert, and diversity consultant, she grapples with unconscious bias in media, education and the workplace.

The moderator will be:
Stephanie Bluestein, Ed.D., a veteran reporter and assistant professor of journalism at CSUN.

When:  Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Where:  USC, Wallis Annenberg Hall Room 106, 3630 Watt Way, Los Angeles 90089. Parking available in Lot A ($12)

Enter campus on the east side of Vermont Avenue across from 36th Street, and the garage on the right just inside the campus. Pay $12 to park, then walk down Downey Way, away from the gate, to Watt Way. Turn left on Watt and walk to Childs Way. Wallis Annenberg Hall is on the corner on the right.

Cost: Free to the public

RSVP: spjlosangeles@gmail.com

Contact:  Richard Hendrickson
newsprof@mac.com

A reporter asks Pia Sundhage, the head coach of the Swedish women’s football team, about her ability to coach a men’s team. Michael Phelps’ silver medal takes top billing while Katie Ledecky’s world-record medal is relegated to a subhead. A newspaper tweets that “Phelps shares historic night with African-American” in reference to Simone Manuel’s historical gold medal.

These are just a few examples of how media coverage of the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio seemed to come from a mindset that might have prevailed at the 1932 summer games. Why was that so? Have we learned nothing over the years about the need for racial and gender sensitivity? Was there more insensitive and discriminatory coverage this year or did it just seem like it because of public comments on social media? How does such coverage affect viewers? What can be done to improve sports coverage in the future?

These are among the questions to be explored Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, by a panel convened by the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the 90-minute program will begin at 7 sharp.

Panelists will be:

• Jackie Pepper, a sports journalist who produced short-form videos for Yahoo Sports during the Olympics and has also produced content for USA Today and NFL Network.
• David Wharton, lead Olympic reporter for the L.A. Times and affiliated newspapers who went to Rio early to cover IOC meetings and write a blend of features, issue stories and, of course, lots of Ryan Lochte.
• Marcella DeVeaux, Ph.D., a tenured associate professor of journalism at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a depth psychologist. As a media expert, and diversity consultant, she grapples with unconscious bias in media, education and the workplace.

The moderator will be: 

Stephanie Bluestein, Ed.D., a veteran reporter and assistant professor of journalism at CSUN.

When:  Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016, 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Where:  USC, Wallis Annenberg Hall Room 106, 3630 Watt Way, Los Angeles 90089

Cost: Free to the public

RSVP: spjlosangeles@gmail.com

Contact:  Richard Hendrickson
newsprof@mac.com

Bad assignments?
Editors driving you crazy?
Sources not returning calls?

Confirmed: The best way to work out your reporter rage is to rock out on stage…or by having a drink (or three) while cheering on your colleagues.

The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is hosting a night of FREE karaoke at your favorite pirate bar, The Redwood, on Wednesday, Sept. 7. 

IAMNOTAKJ will be taking requests from 7 to 9 p.m. He’s got it all…torch songs, rock anthems, Spanish hits, etc.

Singers and non-singers welcome! Come catch up with fellow journalists over music, food and drinks.

WHAT:
SPJ/LA’s Karaoke Night

WHEN:
7 – 9 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016

WHERE:
Redwood Bar & Grill
316 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 680-2600

COST:
Free of charge.

PARKING:
There’s construction on Second Street in front of the bar and on Broadway. You can park at the lot on Hill Street.

METRO:
The closest station is Civic Center/Grand Park.

RSVP:
Please RSVP at spjlosangeles@gmail.com