Wally Dean challenged reporters’ assumptions of what the public wants in news at the annual Midwest Journalism Conference March 23 and 24. “It’s not what you cover, it’s the way you cover it” that determines how closely news consumers follow a particular story, Dean told the room of journalism professionals, academics and students. Dean, the broadcast director for the Committee for Concerned Journalists, says story depth captures and holds the public’s attention much more than pictures of flashing, red lights and yellow police tape. Dean’s session relied on research and observations contained in his book, “We Interrupt This Newscast: How to Improve Local News and Win Ratings, Too.” The session was organized by the Northwest Broadcast News Association and cosponsored by SPJ, AP, the National Television Academy and NPPA.
Archive for 2007
‘It’s not what you cover, it’s the way you cover it’
Media groups and SPJ seek cameras in courts
SPJ and more than 20 other media organizations and state journalism leaders believe it’s time for greater public access to Minnesota courts.
After three decades of a de facto ban on cameras and electronic recording devices in Minnesota courtrooms, media organizations representing hundreds of journalists across the state are petitioning the court to centralize recording decisions with the judge.
Gary Hill Honored With John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award
The Minnesota Coalition on Government Information honored Gary Hill, long-time SPJ leader and broadcast journalist, with the 2007 John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award. Continue reading →
Panelists Explore Objectivity in Modern Journalism
Panelists Kristin Henning, Thom Fladung, Stephen Ward and Matt Thompson joined moderator Kerri Miller at Minnesota Public Radio’s UBS Forum to discuss the state of objectivity in journalism.
View more photos from the event.
Midwest Journalism Conference, March 23rd and 24th
Watching a typical television newscast it’s easy to conclude Americans know more about Anna Nicole Smith’s will than the amassing of Taliban forces on the Pakistan border. Tracking such paradoxes is the territory of Wally Dean, a broadcast news veteran and director of the Committee of Concerned Journalists. Dean is just one of the notable speakers at this year’s journalism conference in Bloomington.
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Dean is conducting an extended session about balancing what the public wants and what it needs from news. Over the two full days of the conference, he’ll be joined by people like Ken Stone, Brian Fiser, Steve Perry, Bob Collins and Jason DeRusha for discussions designed to both inform and inspire journalists.
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The Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is working with five other organizations to bring the latest trends, issues and ideas to the people in Minnesota and the surrounding area.
Without Fear or Favor: Objectivity Revisited
Monday, February 26 | 7:00-9:00 PM
The UBS Forum at Minnesota Public Radio
480 Cedar Street | St. Paul, MN 55101
The Minnesota Professional Chapter of SPJ is planning to plunge into one of journalism’s most provocative topics — objectivity — at Minnesota Public Radio’s UBS Forum in downtown St. Paul.
The event will feature as lead panelist Stephen Ward, acting director and associate professor of journalism at the University of British Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. Ward is author of The Invention of Journalism Ethics: The Path to Objectivity and Beyond. The forum is moderated by MPR Midmorning host Kerri Miller.
Click here to reserve your spot at the forum.
