Two Free Journalism Events for Students and Educators to Consider Attending

For Educators: Friday, October 19
10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

What are the pressing issues for your journalism program? The California Journalism Education Coalition — with the California College Media Association and California State University, Northridge — hosts a forum for journalism educators, advisers and advocates. Share your challenges and successes, and get encouragement and advice from your colleagues and professionals. … Continue Reading

SPJ/LA Mourns the Loss of Veteran ABC7 Cameraman Artie Williams III

The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists mourns the loss of veteran ABC 7 cameraman Artie Williams III, who died over the weekend while diving off of Catalina Island.

Williams was described by his colleagues as a “real prince of a guy” with a huge heart.  He was known for providing a helping hand to other photographers, reporters and interns. His was always a friendly face to see out in the field.

“The journalism community in Los Angeles has lost a talented person who was a friend and mentor to many,” SPJ/LA President Alice Walton said . “SPJ/LA extends its condolences to Artie’s ABC7 colleagues and his family. He will be sorely missed.”

… Continue Reading

The Art of Access: Strategies for getting public records to improve your reporting and life

The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites you to a special session on strategies for acquiring public records by Society of Professional Journalists Freedom of Information Trainer, David Cuillier.

Topics of discussion will include:

• Great ideas for document-based stories you can do in your community
• Strategies for effective records requests and overcoming denials
• Psychological skills for getting officials to give you what you need
• Tips for making records part of your daily routine while stretched thin
• Rousing inspiration for doing great journalism in tough times

… Continue Reading

SPJ/LA, CCNMA Will Examine Future of Immigration Reform & Media Coverage

RSVP for a panel discussion on media coverage of immigrant communities and the future of immigration reform.

What
SPJ/LA’s panel discussion on the future of immigration reform and media coverage of immigrant communities

Who

• Paloma Esquivel, reporter, Los Angeles Times
• Pilar Marrero, reporter, La Opinion
• Kent Wong, director of the UCLA Labor Center

Adolfo Flores, reporter for the Pasadena Sun, will moderate.

 
… Continue Reading

KPCC’s Madeleine Brand to Serve as Mistress of Ceremonies for SPJ/LA’s 36th Annual Distinguished Journalists Awards Dinner

Madeleine Brand, host of the innovative radio news magazine program, The Madeleine Brand Show, will be the mistress of ceremonies at the 36th annual awards banquet on May 8, presented by the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The Madeleine Brand Show, which launched in September 2010 on Southern California Public Radio, 89.3 KPCC, is described as having an original sound that is thought-provoking and intimate. Brand describes it as “a new form of public radio journalism that combines a Morning Edition sensibility—the news and current events—with the sensibilities of Fresh Air and This American Life—the best in story-telling.”

Five local journalists and an attorney will be honored at the event, which will be held at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. The Distinguished Journalist honorees are Bob Pool, staff writer at the Los Angeles Times; Howard Fine, a 10-year veteran of the Los Angeles Business Journal; Bob Moon, senior business correspondent, Marketplace; and Lisa Bartley, investigative producer at ABC7, Eyewitness News. Jesus Sanchez, editor and publisher of The Eastsider LA, is the  recipient of the chapter’s Distinguished Work in New Media Award. Don Zachary, attorney and counsel for RTNA, will receive the chapter’s Freedom of Information Award.

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Panelists Join the Society of Professional Journalists’ ‘Best of the West: 2012 SPJ Spring Conference’

News directors, veteran journalists and new media experts will lead the Society of Professional Journalists’ “Best of the West: 2012 SPJ Spring Conference” on March 30-31 at the Hilton Universal City in Los Angeles.

The latest speakers confirmed to appear will participate in the “Freak Out!” session, which will be focused on how journalists cover traumatic stories and deal with their own feelings about witnessing such events. KNX 1070 business news anchor and immediate past president of the Greater Los Angeles chapter, Frank Mottek, will moderate the discussion. The panelists will be:

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Statement Regarding the L.A. Fire Department’s Disclosure Policy

The following letter was sent to fire Chief Brian Cummings today on behalf of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles regarding the Los Angeles Fire Department’s policy to restrict the free flow of information:

Dear Chief Cummings:

This law office represents the Society of Professional Journalists – Greater Los Angeles Chapter (“SPJ/LA”) and the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (“PPAGLA”). I write on behalf of SPJ/LA and PPAGLA to express their shared concern with recent policy changes announced by the Los Angeles Fire Department (“LAFD”) that seriously threaten the newsgathering rights of journalists and photojournalists, and endanger the public’s right to know about the functioning of its government.

The LAFD’s new policy of refusing to disclose information to the media about basic response details – including times and locations of incidents and the nature of emergencies as well as the age and gender of victims – is a sharp departure from the previous practice of the LAFD. It contravenes a directive from Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa that the LAFD “immediately resume releasing information that provides LAFD incident specifics[.]” Letter, Hon. A. Villaraigosa to Chief Cummings, Mar. 21, 2012. The timing of the policy shift is highly suspicious in light of recent revelations about inaccuracies in the LAFD’s reported response times to emergency situations.

… Continue Reading

Panel: Open and Closed Doors – Access to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors

Register for the SPJ/LA Regional Conference

Register now of Professional Journalist’s 2012 regional conference, “Best of the West,” to be held on March 30 & 31. Hosted by the Los Angeles Pro Chapter, the conference promises to be an action-packed and informative weekend for both students and working professionals. Click here to register, and here for our special room rates with the University City Hilton. Special rate until March 1, so act now.

Check back frequently for updates on programming, events and attendees. Prices below:

• Early Bird – SPJ Members   $100.00
• Early Bird – Non-SPJ Members   $125.00
• Early Bird – Student   Mar 1, 2012$50.00
• Regular Price – SPJ Members   $125.00
• Regular Price – Non-SPJ Members   $150.00
• Regular Price – Student   $75.00
• Mark of Excellence Luncheon   $40.00

SPJ/LA Holiday party

A good time was had by all at the SPJ/LA holiday party, held on Nov. 30 at McCormick & Schmicks in Beverly Hills. Photo courtesy of SPJ Board Member Richard Saxton.

From left-to-right: Charlie Crumpley, Editor, Los Angeles Business Journal, George McQuade, VP, Mayo Communications, 2012 SPJ Honored Journalist Howard Fine, Los Angeles Business Journal, Actor Robert Davi, SPJ President Frank Mottek, SPJ Board Member Richard Saxton.