April Newsletter
Hello and welcome to SPJ/LA’s April newsletter!
The past four weeks have been extraordinarily busy, not just for our chapter but for several other Southern California journalism organizations. Working together, SPJ/LA and those groups took new steps to put a halt to the mistreatment of local journalists by local law enforcement agencies.
The latest news…
As I mentioned above, SPJ/LA and seven other journalism groups issued a demand letter to the Los Angeles Police Department and the County Sheriff’s Department calling for an end to the practice of detaining journalists following dispersal orders. We will keep you posted on what happens next.
The chapter also announced the launch of our new website: spjla.org. We’ve been transferring info to the new site for months but last week it had its formal debut. Many thanks to former chapter president Alice Walton for helping us build the site and make a smooth transition!
While you're exploring the site, please check out our new logo. We’re so grateful to associate board member Tom Bray for creating the simple and beautiful design.
Last month, our chapter hosted an illuminating panel discussion "A Year of COVID-19 in Southern California -- the Shutdowns, the Testing, the Surges, the Vaccines."
SPJ/LA also co-sponsored a virtual panel on the founding of the Asian American Journalists Association. The event, staged by AAJA’s L.A. chapter, served as the kickoff event for AAJA’s 40th anniversary.
Coming up …
There are just a few days left to apply for SPJ/LA’s 2021 Scholarships. The deadline to seek any of SPJ/LA’s six scholarships is May 1, 2021. Student journalists in Los Angeles, Orange and Ventura counties can download the application form here.
On a sad note …
SPJ/LA mourns the death of Paul Davis. Paul was a past president of SPJ and the recipient of the Wells Memorial Key for Outstanding Service to the Society, the highest honor bestowed by the national organization. He was also an enthusiastic supporter of SPJ's L.A. chapter.
From the national organization …
Our chapter’s board members spent an evening last week catching up virtually with Matt Hall, the president of SPJ national. Thanks to Matt for getting us up to date!
SPJ national approved two new campus chapters to the organization: The University of Texas at Austin and University of Dayton.
Fun Fact …
Sigma Delta Chi’s first campus chapters were founded in 1910 with the rule that the school must operate a daily newspaper. Members of these chapters had to be juniors and seniors -- and male -- and needed to demonstrate “strength of mind and character.”
Finally…
Finally, my extended thoughts about membership -- wrapped up in three words: Please join us!
If you’re already a SPJ/LA member, thank you for your support. If you're not, learn about our chapter here and why you should consider joining. And if you have questions, please contact me at navidnonahalspjla@gmail.com.
Please follow SPJ/LA on Twitter and join us on Facebook.
Believe and stay safe!
Navid Nonahal
Membership Committee Chair
SPJ/LA