Saturday, August 28, 2010

Magazines offer glimpses of people behind WIkiLeaks


Most people hadn't heard of WikiLeaks.org when the organization this summer released tens of thousands of military documents about the war in Afghanistan to three respected news operations: the New York Times, the Guardian in the United Kingdom, and Der Speigel in Germany.

But readers of the New Yorker magazine had, thanks to a superb piece of magazine journalism by Raffi Khatchadourian in the June 7 issue. "No Secrets: Julian Assange's mission for total transparency" is informative feature writing, with insight, detail and depth.

Check it out: www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/06/07/100607fa_fact_khatchadourian

More recently, Rolling Stone magazine published Nathaniel Rich's piece on WikiLeaks' technical wizard, Jacob Appelbum, in its current issue's "The most dangerous man in cyberspace."

That story is still on newsstands, but here's a link to a telling excerpt: http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/17389/192242

Friday, August 27, 2010

Singer here last Fall ailing, needs help

Anne Feeney, the troubadour, labor activist and citizen journalist who performed with David Rovics on campus last October and locally in a benefit for WTND radio last April, has been hospitalized with a lung tumor and is undergoing tests to find out what can be done.

Regardless of doctors' advice, the recording artist faces months of lost income and is welcoming donations -- of no more than $50.

"I really don't want any larger donations," she says on her web site. "I have enough dear friends who are doing okay that those of you who are struggling shouldn't spend a second worrying about my finances."

Still, the selfless woman is in need, so if you appreciated her music and attitude last year, please consider letting her know -- and include a few bucks if you're able.

Mail to Anne Feeney, 2240 Milligan Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15218.

Her web site is http://www.annefeeney.com/ and her blog is http://fellow-travelers-advisory.blogspot.com/

Join the staff of Western Illinois Magazine


Get involved with Western Illinois Magazine!

First meeting of the year will be Wednesday, September 1 at 4 p.m. in the Western Courier office, 3rd Floor, Heating Plant Annex (Through the yellow door next to the basketball courts behind the Art Gallery)

For more information contact: R-moreno@wiu.edu

Friday, August 20, 2010

The Western Courier Wants You

The Western Courier has immediate openings for

• Proofreader
• Reporters
• Photographers
• Newspaper Distributors

Fill out an application today at the Western Courier
3rd Floor, Heating Plant Annex
(Through the yellow door next to
the basketball courts behind the Art Gallery)

Monday, August 9, 2010

Greetings WIU Journalism Majors and Minors



Welcome:

Two things as you start thinking about packing and moving to Macomb for the Fall:

First, all Journalism majors and minors are urged to attend a program meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, August 30 in the Courier newsroom in the brick building called the "Heating Plant Annex" northeast/across Sherman Drive from the University Gallery -- by the outdoor basketball/roller hockey court. Faculty will update you on changes, chat about student organizations, and get you going for 2010-2011. We'll also have a drawing for a DVD of the classic 1976 drama about reporters and Watergate, All The President's Men.

Next, there are still seats available in a few upper-division Journalism courses. Please go to STARS and consider enrolling, especially in Photojournalism/Jour. 335 (STARS # 50353) , Beat Reporting/ Jour. 334 (STARS # 50352 and Editing/ Jour. 328 (STARS # 50348) . Professor Lisa Kernek reminds you that there's no prerequisite for Photojournalism, which will meet 3-4:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays only. Jour. 334, which meets at 10 MWF, has a series of guest speakers including State Sen. John Sullivan, Supt. of Schools Alene Reuschel and Father Luke Spannagel from Newman Center. And Jour. 328 will now be taught by me on an Arranged schedule after the initial meeting at 12:30 on Tuesday, Aug. 24.

See you soon -- and at the program meeting August 30!

Bill Knight
Deputy director, Journalism