Journalism instructor and Western Courier adviser Rich Moreno was awarded a McCormick scholarship to attend the Associated Press Managing Editors/ Midwest Press Institute NewsTrain workshop in St. Louis March 6-8.
“Three Western Courier editors also were awarded student scholarships,” Moreno said. “We are looking forward to attending.”
For details on the conference, go to http://www.newstrain.org/seminar_stlouis_highlights.html
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
An Electronic White Knight for Newspapers?
An interesting article about one possible solution to the current crisis in the newspaper industry:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Journalism's White Knight
By Joe Marchese
Advertising alone cannot save great journalism; in fact, it may just be killing it. As Walter Isaacson points out in his piece "How to Save Your Newspaper" in Time magazine, an over-reliance on advertising can have seriously adverse affects on journalism.
I would go a step further and say that the limitless choice and democratization of content provided by the Internet (and even the ever-expanding cable channel list) is having a serious impact on the quality of our news, as news stations must compete for ratings as I outlined in "All The News That's Fit To Monetize." Personally, I would love to see a graph of the number of pop culture stories covered by CNN over the last 5 years. My guess it is up and to the right.
A huge part of me truly believes that Isaacson is right, and that micro-payments for content is the way to go. The problem is, as he points out, we have been conditioned to expect Internet content for free.
This mind-set really began with cable TV. I pay my monthly fee for cable and, other than a limited a la carte and premium channels, I consume as much of as many channels as I want. Breaking this type of mind-set of the Web-savvy public might be nearly impossible, but then in rides a white (literally) knight. Thank you, Kindle.
Last week I read my first issue of The New York Times cover-to-cover. I had, for years, only darted in and out of nytimes.com, reading the articles by my favorite journalist, and those on the "most emailed" list. But with a single push of a button on my Kindle, I was charged 75 cents and got my own copy of the Times. I didn't even think twice about the 75-cent charge, and I would consider myself one of those Web-savvy people who have gotten very used to getting content for free.
But the Kindle is a different medium, with a micropayment system attached to the device/account. It's more like iTunes than paypal. The Kindle, or whichever digital reader becomes the killer device, can do for professional, quality journalism what the iPod did for music. What will make the difference is the way in which people access the content. We are very used to paying to download content.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Journalism's White Knight
By Joe Marchese
Advertising alone cannot save great journalism; in fact, it may just be killing it. As Walter Isaacson points out in his piece "How to Save Your Newspaper" in Time magazine, an over-reliance on advertising can have seriously adverse affects on journalism.
I would go a step further and say that the limitless choice and democratization of content provided by the Internet (and even the ever-expanding cable channel list) is having a serious impact on the quality of our news, as news stations must compete for ratings as I outlined in "All The News That's Fit To Monetize." Personally, I would love to see a graph of the number of pop culture stories covered by CNN over the last 5 years. My guess it is up and to the right.
A huge part of me truly believes that Isaacson is right, and that micro-payments for content is the way to go. The problem is, as he points out, we have been conditioned to expect Internet content for free.
This mind-set really began with cable TV. I pay my monthly fee for cable and, other than a limited a la carte and premium channels, I consume as much of as many channels as I want. Breaking this type of mind-set of the Web-savvy public might be nearly impossible, but then in rides a white (literally) knight. Thank you, Kindle.
Last week I read my first issue of The New York Times cover-to-cover. I had, for years, only darted in and out of nytimes.com, reading the articles by my favorite journalist, and those on the "most emailed" list. But with a single push of a button on my Kindle, I was charged 75 cents and got my own copy of the Times. I didn't even think twice about the 75-cent charge, and I would consider myself one of those Web-savvy people who have gotten very used to getting content for free.
But the Kindle is a different medium, with a micropayment system attached to the device/account. It's more like iTunes than paypal. The Kindle, or whichever digital reader becomes the killer device, can do for professional, quality journalism what the iPod did for music. What will make the difference is the way in which people access the content. We are very used to paying to download content.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
State legislator keynotes Spring J-Day
The importance of journalism to democracy is the subject of the 13th Annual Spring Journalism Day on Monday, March 9, when an Illinois lawmaker who used to be a newspaper reporter will speak in the Union Sandburg Theater.
David Leitch has been a Republican State Representative from west-central Illinois for 20 years and before that was a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star and president of Local 86 of The Newspaper Guild labor union there.
The presentation will be less than an hour starting at 3 p.m. that day, including a question/answer session for students.
David Leitch has been a Republican State Representative from west-central Illinois for 20 years and before that was a reporter for the Peoria Journal Star and president of Local 86 of The Newspaper Guild labor union there.
The presentation will be less than an hour starting at 3 p.m. that day, including a question/answer session for students.
Re-elected without opposition in November, the 60-year-old Leitch (shown above) now serves on committees including Housing & Urban Development, Appropriations-Human Services, Environment & Energy, and Public Utilities, and is an Assistant Minority Leader in the House. He’s most active in efforts to reform education and the state’s mental health system and in advocating for economic development and health-care issues.
His appearance is sponsored by the Western Society of Professional Journalists and the Visiting Lectures Committee
Ebony, Jet editors on campus Wednesday
Editors of Ebony and Jet magazines will be joined by WIU faculty and Western Journalism students on Wednesday for two panels in the University Union addressing the topic “The Past, Present and Future of Minority Media.”
Ebony Senior Editor Sylvester Monroe (above) and Jet Managing Editor Mira Lowe (above right) will take part in a 9:30-10:30 a.m. Lincoln Room panel about minority participation in media also featuring WIU students Robert Amaefule and Alisha Cowan and WIU faculty members Lisa Barr and Mohammad Siddiqi. Amaefule is president of the campus chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and Cowan is editor of the Western Courier and a former Ebony intern. Barr is NABJ’s faculty adviser and Siddiqi director of Western’s Journalism program.
From 2-3:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rooms, Barr will moderate a discussion of media depictions of African Americans now and in the 1960s, when the federal Kerner Commission studied dozens of riots in 1967. Panelists will include Safoura A. Boukari and Jo-Ann Morgan of WIU’s African American Studies department, and Bill Knight and Pearlie Strother-Adams of WIU’s Journalism program.
A reception will follow in the Sandburg Lounge.
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center also assisted in the program.
Ebony Senior Editor Sylvester Monroe (above) and Jet Managing Editor Mira Lowe (above right) will take part in a 9:30-10:30 a.m. Lincoln Room panel about minority participation in media also featuring WIU students Robert Amaefule and Alisha Cowan and WIU faculty members Lisa Barr and Mohammad Siddiqi. Amaefule is president of the campus chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists and Cowan is editor of the Western Courier and a former Ebony intern. Barr is NABJ’s faculty adviser and Siddiqi director of Western’s Journalism program.
From 2-3:30 p.m. in the Capitol Rooms, Barr will moderate a discussion of media depictions of African Americans now and in the 1960s, when the federal Kerner Commission studied dozens of riots in 1967. Panelists will include Safoura A. Boukari and Jo-Ann Morgan of WIU’s African American Studies department, and Bill Knight and Pearlie Strother-Adams of WIU’s Journalism program.
A reception will follow in the Sandburg Lounge.
The College of Arts and Sciences and the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center also assisted in the program.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Job-hunting for young journalists
Andrew Nusca from Editorialiste has compiled a compelling list of tips for young journalists searching for work.
And it may not be nearly as lousy a job climate as one may conclude from reading about bankruptcies, layoffs and wage freezes.
"The number of full-timers employed by U.S. news-media organizations today has increased by almost 70% compared with 1971, according to The American Journalist in the 21st Century," said Jack Shafer in Slate a couple of years ago. "The book doesn't even include in its census the new jobs in online newsrooms or at the business-wire upstart Bloomberg News."
Here are 10 fine suggestions:
*Send in applications everywhere you think you’ve got a shot — then prove it to each company in your application. It’s worth the time to tailor your application, even if you never hear back.
*When you’ve sent out all that you can, send more. I can’t stress this enough. The job search becomes exhausting, but you must persist.
*Contact friends and mentors and coworkers not for jobs, but for advice. Very few actually can and have jobs to offer you, but everyone has a wealth of experience on how they got where they are today.
*Tell everyone that you’re looking. I had several friends, not all of them close, regularly send me jobs they came across. Some I had seen, some I hadn’t, but those morning e-mails were a great pick-me-up when things felt grim.
*Take a break. The job search is nerve-wracking because it feels as though fate is closing in on you as your funds for living run out. Don’t go a day without sending an application somewhere, but don’t go a day without smiling. The whole job search is an internalized affair, like a tea kettle nearing boil. So make sure you get out of the house and see friends. Or go to the gym. Mental health is important at this time.
*Take people’s advice with a grain of salt, but listen. As a journalist, this goes without saying. I received a ton of contradictory comments in the two posts I wrote, but what I gained most from the whole affair is that people are listening (I even received a freelance offer). Use that momentum as inspiration to keep applying places.
*Keep your online presence up-to-date. I received lots of comment when I changed my LinkedIn status message to “Looking for a job.”
*If you get rejected, politely ask why. I was rejected for a position that I thought I had a particularly good shot at; turns out that with so many job layoffs, the publication was overwhelmed with overqualified applicants. So I replied and asked what I could have done better as an applicant. The editor was kind enough to answer in specifics why I didn’t make the cut, and encouraged me that I was a solid applicant who was just blown away by the circumstances. She also offered to take my pitches for stories, which would have been important had I not taken my current position. Remember — editors know what it’s like, and more often than not, they’ll relate!
*And finally, when it comes to the actual job: negotiate that salary.
*Once you’re settled in, don’t forget to repay the favor to your friends by helping them find jobs or listings.
And it may not be nearly as lousy a job climate as one may conclude from reading about bankruptcies, layoffs and wage freezes.
"The number of full-timers employed by U.S. news-media organizations today has increased by almost 70% compared with 1971, according to The American Journalist in the 21st Century," said Jack Shafer in Slate a couple of years ago. "The book doesn't even include in its census the new jobs in online newsrooms or at the business-wire upstart Bloomberg News."
Here are 10 fine suggestions:
*Send in applications everywhere you think you’ve got a shot — then prove it to each company in your application. It’s worth the time to tailor your application, even if you never hear back.
*When you’ve sent out all that you can, send more. I can’t stress this enough. The job search becomes exhausting, but you must persist.
*Contact friends and mentors and coworkers not for jobs, but for advice. Very few actually can and have jobs to offer you, but everyone has a wealth of experience on how they got where they are today.
*Tell everyone that you’re looking. I had several friends, not all of them close, regularly send me jobs they came across. Some I had seen, some I hadn’t, but those morning e-mails were a great pick-me-up when things felt grim.
*Take a break. The job search is nerve-wracking because it feels as though fate is closing in on you as your funds for living run out. Don’t go a day without sending an application somewhere, but don’t go a day without smiling. The whole job search is an internalized affair, like a tea kettle nearing boil. So make sure you get out of the house and see friends. Or go to the gym. Mental health is important at this time.
*Take people’s advice with a grain of salt, but listen. As a journalist, this goes without saying. I received a ton of contradictory comments in the two posts I wrote, but what I gained most from the whole affair is that people are listening (I even received a freelance offer). Use that momentum as inspiration to keep applying places.
*Keep your online presence up-to-date. I received lots of comment when I changed my LinkedIn status message to “Looking for a job.”
*If you get rejected, politely ask why. I was rejected for a position that I thought I had a particularly good shot at; turns out that with so many job layoffs, the publication was overwhelmed with overqualified applicants. So I replied and asked what I could have done better as an applicant. The editor was kind enough to answer in specifics why I didn’t make the cut, and encouraged me that I was a solid applicant who was just blown away by the circumstances. She also offered to take my pitches for stories, which would have been important had I not taken my current position. Remember — editors know what it’s like, and more often than not, they’ll relate!
*And finally, when it comes to the actual job: negotiate that salary.
*Once you’re settled in, don’t forget to repay the favor to your friends by helping them find jobs or listings.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
College Newspapers Not Immune from Economic Downtown
Bryan Murley, assistant professor of new and emerging media at Eastern Illinois University, has written an insightful blog entry about how the difficulties facing the mainstream media are starting to affect college media. Check it out at http://www.pbs.org/mediashift/2009/01/college-newspapers-finally-hit-by-economic-downturn028.html.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A Modest Proposal
The Associated Press is reporting a unique bailout for the ailing French newspaper industry:
Sarkozy offers new help for French print media
By LAURENT PIROT – Jan 23, 2009
PARIS (AP) — The French state will help provide free newspaper subscriptions to teenagers for their 18th birthdays, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Friday. But the bigger gift is for France's ailing print media.
Sarkozy also announced a ninefold rise in the state's support for newspaper deliveries and a doubling of its annual print advertising outlay amid a swelling industry crisis.
Sarkozy argued in a speech to publishers that the measures are needed because the global financial crisis has compounded woes for a sector already suffering from falling ad revenues and subscriptions.
In a speech to industry leaders, Sarkozy said it was legitimate for the state to consider the print media's economic situation.
"It is indeed its responsibility ... to make sure an independent, free and pluralistic press exists," he said.
This is sensitive territory for Sarkozy, who has been accused of cozying up to media moguls and exerting influence over them. He is also no stranger to heavy criticism in the country's often opinionated newspapers.
In measures to take effect next month, the state will increase its annual support for newspaper and magazine deliveries to euro70 million ($90 million) from euro8 million last year, and spend euro20 million more a year for its advertisements in print publications. The state will also defer some fees the publications face.
One of Sarkozy's solutions to help the industry is a pilot program that will give teenagers celebrating their 18th birthday a free, yearlong subscription to any general news daily of their choice. The publisher is to give the newspapers away, while the state pays for the deliveries.
That initiative appeared designed to assuage industry fears that young readers don't share the same appetite for print media that their parents and grandparents have, denting current and future revenues.
"The habit of reading the press is learned very young," Sarkozy said, while insisting that the aid would only buy time for publishers to adapt to the new media landscape.
The initiative is designed to help the sector over three years "to modernize and invest in the print media sector in exchange for important structural reforms," he said. The measures he announced Friday largely came from recommendations in a three-month study into the industry's health that was released on Jan. 8. The study also recommends that newspapers restructure their finances and that journalists be better trained for multiple forms of media, including online.
"None of the proposed measures ... will be useful in the end if the profession doesn't meet its challenges," he said. "The industry has a future to reinvent. ... Time is running out."
Sarkozy offers new help for French print media
By LAURENT PIROT – Jan 23, 2009
PARIS (AP) — The French state will help provide free newspaper subscriptions to teenagers for their 18th birthdays, President Nicolas Sarkozy announced Friday. But the bigger gift is for France's ailing print media.
Sarkozy also announced a ninefold rise in the state's support for newspaper deliveries and a doubling of its annual print advertising outlay amid a swelling industry crisis.
Sarkozy argued in a speech to publishers that the measures are needed because the global financial crisis has compounded woes for a sector already suffering from falling ad revenues and subscriptions.
In a speech to industry leaders, Sarkozy said it was legitimate for the state to consider the print media's economic situation.
"It is indeed its responsibility ... to make sure an independent, free and pluralistic press exists," he said.
This is sensitive territory for Sarkozy, who has been accused of cozying up to media moguls and exerting influence over them. He is also no stranger to heavy criticism in the country's often opinionated newspapers.
In measures to take effect next month, the state will increase its annual support for newspaper and magazine deliveries to euro70 million ($90 million) from euro8 million last year, and spend euro20 million more a year for its advertisements in print publications. The state will also defer some fees the publications face.
One of Sarkozy's solutions to help the industry is a pilot program that will give teenagers celebrating their 18th birthday a free, yearlong subscription to any general news daily of their choice. The publisher is to give the newspapers away, while the state pays for the deliveries.
That initiative appeared designed to assuage industry fears that young readers don't share the same appetite for print media that their parents and grandparents have, denting current and future revenues.
"The habit of reading the press is learned very young," Sarkozy said, while insisting that the aid would only buy time for publishers to adapt to the new media landscape.
The initiative is designed to help the sector over three years "to modernize and invest in the print media sector in exchange for important structural reforms," he said. The measures he announced Friday largely came from recommendations in a three-month study into the industry's health that was released on Jan. 8. The study also recommends that newspapers restructure their finances and that journalists be better trained for multiple forms of media, including online.
"None of the proposed measures ... will be useful in the end if the profession doesn't meet its challenges," he said. "The industry has a future to reinvent. ... Time is running out."
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Another Take on the J-Business Downsizing
One interesting thing about getting laid off when you're a journalist is that sometimes your paper lets you write about it. This column is from Matt Farley, a reporter at the Reno Gazette-Journal (Gannett paper), who recently received his pink slip:
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200812120137/CARSON/812120332
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200812120137/CARSON/812120332
Monday, December 15, 2008
Young columnist confesses: 'I murdered news'
Youthful syndicated columnist Brian Till on December 15 asserted that newspapers giving away their main product and service -- journalism -- can't continue.
And he did so dramatically.
"A lot of conversations I've had over the past few weeks have centered upon the American decline, not in terms of global influence and economic standing, but in terms of journalism," he wrote. "I've found myself speaking with students of the field, freelance writers and grayed reporters, all of us solemnly reflecting, as if a good friend had died.
"And then something struck me," he continued. "I spend hours a day reading news, digging into any paper I can find, from Lebanon's Daily Star to the Buenos Aires Herald, but I've only purchased about a dozen American papers in the last year.
And he did so dramatically.
"A lot of conversations I've had over the past few weeks have centered upon the American decline, not in terms of global influence and economic standing, but in terms of journalism," he wrote. "I've found myself speaking with students of the field, freelance writers and grayed reporters, all of us solemnly reflecting, as if a good friend had died.
"And then something struck me," he continued. "I spend hours a day reading news, digging into any paper I can find, from Lebanon's Daily Star to the Buenos Aires Herald, but I've only purchased about a dozen American papers in the last year.
"I, I realized, am the murderer of news."
Each of us are "free riders " -- and fail to see how we've contributed to the stress, if not death, of U.S. newspapers, he adds, and charging a reasonable fee for information is an answer.
Check out his whole column, distributed by Creators Syndicate -- http://www.creators.com/opinion/brian-till/i-am-the-murderer-of-news.html
Monday, December 8, 2008
Economy hits broadcasting, too
The Chicago Tribune's announcement today that it was going bankrupt to protect itself from creditors while it reorganized was another example of newspapers at least somewhat covering its industry's woes, but broadcasting is starting to acknowledge the same problems -- leading to cutbacks, hiring freezes, consolidation of features such as distant/remote weather reports, and even layoffs.
This morning's Mediaweek piece by Katy Bachman underscores how radio and television are profoundly affected by the economic downturn and related ties to drops in advertising.
It's silent about loss of audience to cable and the Internet, which has been occasionally covered elsewhere, and about the colossal debt that some broadcasting groups are enduring almost as much as newspaper chains such as Tribune, McClatchy and GateHouse.
However, it concedes that there are difficult times ahead next year, and implies that no one really knows what to expect.
Check out Bachman's entire article -- http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3ie8946cda1b3f6da2608b2711ff8613f4
Exciting times.
This morning's Mediaweek piece by Katy Bachman underscores how radio and television are profoundly affected by the economic downturn and related ties to drops in advertising.
It's silent about loss of audience to cable and the Internet, which has been occasionally covered elsewhere, and about the colossal debt that some broadcasting groups are enduring almost as much as newspaper chains such as Tribune, McClatchy and GateHouse.
However, it concedes that there are difficult times ahead next year, and implies that no one really knows what to expect.
Check out Bachman's entire article -- http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3ie8946cda1b3f6da2608b2711ff8613f4
Exciting times.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Internship directory available from Inland Press
The Inland Press Association last week invited students to use the new online version of its 2009 Guide to Newspaper Internships. The free access to the 14-page pdf file is offered to assist job seekers in connecting with newspaper job opportunities.
The directory presents internships offered by newspapers throughout the United States. There are internships in all major newspaper departments: news-editorial, online and new media, advertising, production and photography.
“Inland also invites newspaper job seekers to post resumes online at its Web site,
Inlandpress.org, and to provide hard copies to the Inland offices via e-mail at inland@inlandpress.org, which can be forwarded to newspapers seeking leads on applicants,” added Inland executive director Ray Carlsen. “There is no charge for either
Service.
Jobseekers also are invited to use Inland’s monthly newspaper to newspapers, The Inlander, which offers position-wanted advertising at $1 for every six words or portion thereof. A blind box costs $2 extra. The Inlander circulates to a paid circulation list of more than 4,700 newspaper editors and senior managers. All Inlander position-wanted. ads also are posted online at Inlandpress.org.
http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2008/12/04/jobs/internship_directory/doc484062a01a926022345049.txt
The directory presents internships offered by newspapers throughout the United States. There are internships in all major newspaper departments: news-editorial, online and new media, advertising, production and photography.
“Inland also invites newspaper job seekers to post resumes online at its Web site,
Inlandpress.org, and to provide hard copies to the Inland offices via e-mail at inland@inlandpress.org, which can be forwarded to newspapers seeking leads on applicants,” added Inland executive director Ray Carlsen. “There is no charge for either
Service.
Jobseekers also are invited to use Inland’s monthly newspaper to newspapers, The Inlander, which offers position-wanted advertising at $1 for every six words or portion thereof. A blind box costs $2 extra. The Inlander circulates to a paid circulation list of more than 4,700 newspaper editors and senior managers. All Inlander position-wanted. ads also are posted online at Inlandpress.org.
http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2008/12/04/jobs/internship_directory/doc484062a01a926022345049.txt
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
AP elects to change style for presidents
The Associated Press is adopting a universal style for referring to all heads of state, including the United States. Effective Thursday at 3 a.m. EST, the AP will use the title and first and family names on first reference: President George W. Bush, not just President Bush; President-elect Barack Obama, not just President-elect Obama; President Nicolas Sarkozy, not just President Sarkozy.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ideas for improving college papers
A dozen Western students are in Kansas City this week to attend the National College Media Convention, hosted by Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Advisers. The students all are staff members of the Western Courier newspaper. They’ll return Sunday after soaking up three days of workshops and presentations.
They are Alisha Cowan, editor in chief; Dave Hodge, managing editor; Ed Komenda, news editor; Sarah Zeeck, opinions editor; Ken Woods, sports editor; Brent Busby, Edge editor; Adam Sacasa, photo editor; Zach Wingerter, copy editor; Rob Amaefule, assistant news editor; Karen Tablereau; Cody Boland, assistant Edge editor; and Martyn Davis, assistant photo editor.
They’re accompanied on the trip by Director of Student Publications Rich Moreno, who will attend professional development sessions designed for newspaper advisers, and journalism assistant professor Mark Butzow, who presented a talk Thursday for student reporters and editors on writing stories for news websites.
They are Alisha Cowan, editor in chief; Dave Hodge, managing editor; Ed Komenda, news editor; Sarah Zeeck, opinions editor; Ken Woods, sports editor; Brent Busby, Edge editor; Adam Sacasa, photo editor; Zach Wingerter, copy editor; Rob Amaefule, assistant news editor; Karen Tablereau; Cody Boland, assistant Edge editor; and Martyn Davis, assistant photo editor.
They’re accompanied on the trip by Director of Student Publications Rich Moreno, who will attend professional development sessions designed for newspaper advisers, and journalism assistant professor Mark Butzow, who presented a talk Thursday for student reporters and editors on writing stories for news websites.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Feb. 1 deadline for paid legislative internship
Students interested in a paid internship working for the Illinois State Legislature should starting collecting their thoughts and material for applying before the program's February 1 deadline.
*Interns receive a stipend of $2,026 per month with health insurance included.
* Interns earn 8 graduate credits in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
* Interns work as legislative staff with either the partisan staffs of the Illinois General Assembly or the Legislative Research Unit.
Interning with the Illinois Legislature prepares interns for a variety of career paths. Interns work closely with seasoned professionals in the unique environment of the State legislature.
* Interns provide research and analytical support to committee leaders and members.
* Interns analyze agency budgets and take part in crafting the state budget.
* Interns handle press and newsletters for assigned legislators.
* Interns gain personal access and build relationships with legislators, lobbyist and other state contractors.
Interning with Legislative Research Bureau primarily prepares interns for research career paths, while working with seasoned legal and communication professionals.
* Interns gain legal research skills.
* Interns respond to research requests from state legislators.
* Interns help write official state documents and resources.
Upon completion of the program, interns pursue a number of professional avenues.
* Interns are offered full-time positions on a legislative staff.
* Interns pursue careers in public policy with a state agency or lobbying firm.
* Interns pursue law degrees.
* Interns continue their educational pursuits.
The Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program has a 35-year history and is considered one of the top internship programs in the United States.
* Applicants must complete their undergraduate degree by September 1, 2009.
* Applicants with advanced degrees are preferred.
* Applicants with a 3.0 GPA are preferred.
* Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2009.
* Internships start August 16, 2009 and end June 30, 2010.
Application materials are available online. Check out details here --
http://cspl.uis.edu/InstituteForLegislativeStudies/ILSIP/
or view the Institute's whole home page -- http://ilsip.uis.edu./
*Interns receive a stipend of $2,026 per month with health insurance included.
* Interns earn 8 graduate credits in political studies from the University of Illinois at Springfield.
* Interns work as legislative staff with either the partisan staffs of the Illinois General Assembly or the Legislative Research Unit.
Interning with the Illinois Legislature prepares interns for a variety of career paths. Interns work closely with seasoned professionals in the unique environment of the State legislature.
* Interns provide research and analytical support to committee leaders and members.
* Interns analyze agency budgets and take part in crafting the state budget.
* Interns handle press and newsletters for assigned legislators.
* Interns gain personal access and build relationships with legislators, lobbyist and other state contractors.
Interning with Legislative Research Bureau primarily prepares interns for research career paths, while working with seasoned legal and communication professionals.
* Interns gain legal research skills.
* Interns respond to research requests from state legislators.
* Interns help write official state documents and resources.
Upon completion of the program, interns pursue a number of professional avenues.
* Interns are offered full-time positions on a legislative staff.
* Interns pursue careers in public policy with a state agency or lobbying firm.
* Interns pursue law degrees.
* Interns continue their educational pursuits.
The Illinois Legislative Staff Intern Program has a 35-year history and is considered one of the top internship programs in the United States.
* Applicants must complete their undergraduate degree by September 1, 2009.
* Applicants with advanced degrees are preferred.
* Applicants with a 3.0 GPA are preferred.
* Applications must be postmarked by February 1, 2009.
* Internships start August 16, 2009 and end June 30, 2010.
Application materials are available online. Check out details here --
http://cspl.uis.edu/InstituteForLegislativeStudies/ILSIP/
or view the Institute's whole home page -- http://ilsip.uis.edu./
Four from NABJ/WIU visit D.C.
NABJ students tour monuments the day after the jobs fair. From left to right are Dameris Bagwell, Darryl Braxton, Robert Amaefule, and Shante Gill. The students were given train fare for the trip by English & Journalism interim chair Joan Livingston-Webber.
***************
Four students, members of the newly formed Western Illinois University chapter of National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ/WIU), traveled to Washington, D.C., for a jobs fair on Thursday, Oct. 23, and Friday, Oct. 24.
NABJ/WIU President Rob Amaefule, Vice President Dameris Bagwell, and members Darryl Braxton and Shante Gill traveled with advisor Dr. Lisa Barr to the Howard University Communications Fair.
The trip also included a tour of C-SPAN facilities on Friday night and sightseeing of monuments at the Washington Mall.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Heroic journalist profiled in UK's Guardian
He exposed the My Lai massacre, revealed Nixon's secret bombing of Cambodia, and has hounded Bush and Cheney over the abuse of prisoners in Abu Ghraib.
It's no shock that some government officials describe Illinois native and veteran journalist Seymour Hersh as "the closest thing American journalism has to a terrorist."
Check out Rachel Cooke's fine snapshsot of Hersh here --
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
'Twentysomething journalist' worth checking out
An interesting site for undergrads to visit focuses on discussions about news media today -- especially how it concerns imminent or recent grads.
Check out twentysomethingjournalist.com -- http://twentysomethingjournalist.com/
Check out twentysomethingjournalist.com -- http://twentysomethingjournalist.com/
Friday, October 10, 2008
Education should be active, not passive
Here's a short post by a young journalist named Luke on the interesting site "Tomorrow;'s News, Tomorrow's Journalists," part of the journalism.co.uk web site that features young journalists and journalism students' thoughts:
My ideal journalism job
"Well, at this stage I am trying to be as flexible as possible in my training, and to learn as many different aspects of the job as possible, thus allowing me more options when I graduate, but I think that a number of different roles could be ‘ideal’ for me.
"I’m not sure if such positions exist but my ideal job would contain these aspects:
*Variety. Changing situations to face each day, being trapped in a boring ’same thing every day’ job will actually drive me insane.
*New technology. My heart is more in the new media side of journalism. Blogging, RSS, innovating, mash-ups and breaking new ground really appeal to me.
*Working with people. Meeting people and communicating is the probably best part of my day (especially at the pub :D).
*Images/Video. I’m just a picture and video kind of guy. Not that print doesn’t rock my boat, but I love using multimedia to tell a story. I just think it’s more effective.
*Being part of a team. I like being a go-to guy, to have specific expertise and to utilise it in a team environment. But also, you need to know what the rest of the team is doing as well.
*Lots of money. Hahahaha. Yes, I know. If we’re going to say our ideals we might as well shoot for the moon. But I think we should be paid a good sum, as it can be a very stressful and involved job.
"I’m going to call that short and sweet."
http://www.journalism.co.uk/young-journalists/?p=217
My ideal journalism job
"Well, at this stage I am trying to be as flexible as possible in my training, and to learn as many different aspects of the job as possible, thus allowing me more options when I graduate, but I think that a number of different roles could be ‘ideal’ for me.
"I’m not sure if such positions exist but my ideal job would contain these aspects:
*Variety. Changing situations to face each day, being trapped in a boring ’same thing every day’ job will actually drive me insane.
*New technology. My heart is more in the new media side of journalism. Blogging, RSS, innovating, mash-ups and breaking new ground really appeal to me.
*Working with people. Meeting people and communicating is the probably best part of my day (especially at the pub :D).
*Images/Video. I’m just a picture and video kind of guy. Not that print doesn’t rock my boat, but I love using multimedia to tell a story. I just think it’s more effective.
*Being part of a team. I like being a go-to guy, to have specific expertise and to utilise it in a team environment. But also, you need to know what the rest of the team is doing as well.
*Lots of money. Hahahaha. Yes, I know. If we’re going to say our ideals we might as well shoot for the moon. But I think we should be paid a good sum, as it can be a very stressful and involved job.
"I’m going to call that short and sweet."
http://www.journalism.co.uk/young-journalists/?p=217
U of I prez tries to reassure campus
The American Civil Liberties Union, a teachers union, and scholar advocacy groups all recently said that the University of Illinois Ethics Office went too far in its interpretation and application of state law prohibiting state employees from political expression and participation.
So this week University of Illinois president B. Joseph White tried to put the flap in perspective, but since he conceded that there remain conflicts between the law and its campus use, it's perhaps not as reassuring as he intended it to be.
Here's a news story posted by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education --
http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/9764.html
So this week University of Illinois president B. Joseph White tried to put the flap in perspective, but since he conceded that there remain conflicts between the law and its campus use, it's perhaps not as reassuring as he intended it to be.
Here's a news story posted by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education --
http://www.thefire.org/index.php/article/9764.html
Thursday, October 9, 2008
WIU's Oct. 15 Journalism Day Targets Regional High School Students
Some 100 high school students from west central Illinois will participate in the Wednesday, Oct. 15 Journalism Day 2008 hosted by Western Illinois University's English and journalism department.
With the theme "Preparing for Multimedia Storytelling in an Age of War and its Aftermath," the 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Journalism Day offers high school journalists seminars and panels led by Western Illinois award-winning journalism faculty; a screening of "Forgiving Dr. Mengele" with filmmaker and educator Bob Hercules; and a pizza lunch followed by a tour of the Western Courier, the University's student-run newspaper, and the public radio and television stations on campus.
Hercules, the founder and co-owner of the Chicago-based television production company Media Process Group, will discuss the challenges of producing a film about Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, as well as the role documentaries play in today's multimedia journalism delivery environment.
"Western's journalism program offers unique opportunites for students to learn journalism skills and the role media plays in society," said Mohammad Siddiqi, journalism program director. "We also provide students with options to specialize in public relations and advertising."
The morning panels, which run from 9:30-10:05 a.m. in the University Union, include:
• "Evolution of U.S. Administrations' Rules for Modern Press Coverage During War (World War II – Present), by Lisa Barr, journalism assistant professor and Journalism Day coordinator, Algonquin Room.
• "Faces of the Enemy: Media Scapegoating and War," by Mark Butzow, journalism assistant professor, Board Room.
• "Go There: Mobile Journalism from the Scene," by Bill Knight, journalism professor, Capital Room A.
• "Media and the Walking Wounded: Telling a Survivor’s Story," by Hercules, Capital
Room B.
• "War and the Still Image," by Lisa Kernek, journalism assistant professor, Cardinal Oak Room.
• "Big Wars Need Big PR: Selling the 2003 Invasion of Iraq," by Mohammad Siddiqi, journalism professor, Fox Room.
• "From Idea to Advertisement: How Creative Concepts Become Breakthrough Ads," by Terri Simmons, journalism associate professor, Capital Room C.
For more information on Journalism Day, visit wiu.edu/English/news/f08/journalism-day.shtml.
Copy By: Bonnie Barker, WIU University Relations
With the theme "Preparing for Multimedia Storytelling in an Age of War and its Aftermath," the 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Journalism Day offers high school journalists seminars and panels led by Western Illinois award-winning journalism faculty; a screening of "Forgiving Dr. Mengele" with filmmaker and educator Bob Hercules; and a pizza lunch followed by a tour of the Western Courier, the University's student-run newspaper, and the public radio and television stations on campus.
Hercules, the founder and co-owner of the Chicago-based television production company Media Process Group, will discuss the challenges of producing a film about Holocaust survivor Eva Mozes Kor, as well as the role documentaries play in today's multimedia journalism delivery environment.
"Western's journalism program offers unique opportunites for students to learn journalism skills and the role media plays in society," said Mohammad Siddiqi, journalism program director. "We also provide students with options to specialize in public relations and advertising."
The morning panels, which run from 9:30-10:05 a.m. in the University Union, include:
• "Evolution of U.S. Administrations' Rules for Modern Press Coverage During War (World War II – Present), by Lisa Barr, journalism assistant professor and Journalism Day coordinator, Algonquin Room.
• "Faces of the Enemy: Media Scapegoating and War," by Mark Butzow, journalism assistant professor, Board Room.
• "Go There: Mobile Journalism from the Scene," by Bill Knight, journalism professor, Capital Room A.
• "Media and the Walking Wounded: Telling a Survivor’s Story," by Hercules, Capital
Room B.
• "War and the Still Image," by Lisa Kernek, journalism assistant professor, Cardinal Oak Room.
• "Big Wars Need Big PR: Selling the 2003 Invasion of Iraq," by Mohammad Siddiqi, journalism professor, Fox Room.
• "From Idea to Advertisement: How Creative Concepts Become Breakthrough Ads," by Terri Simmons, journalism associate professor, Capital Room C.
For more information on Journalism Day, visit wiu.edu/English/news/f08/journalism-day.shtml.
Copy By: Bonnie Barker, WIU University Relations
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