August 29, 2008 at 1:48 pm | Posted by Sarah Bauer
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Society of Professional Journalists
For Immediate Release
August 29, 2008
Police confiscating reporting equipment, prohibiting journalists from covering news events, and hassling photographers are definite warning signs as we head into the Republican National Convention. The Society of Professional Journalists is discouraged to learn of such tactics recently in the name of public safety. We hope these are isolated missteps by local law enforcement officials before the big event arrives and police have more important matters to attend to.
Three out-of-town citizen journalists, here to document events happening outside the Xcel Energy Center, had their belongings–including cameras and notebooks–confiscated by Minneapolis police while in Northeast Minneapolis. Police claim the three were trespassing, but no charges have yet been filed. The three who where detained maintain there was no such trespassing and their interaction with police was an attempt to intimidate them because the group they represent has documented police abuse in the past. Read the rest of this entry »
August 22, 2008 at 9:49 am | Posted by Sarah Bauer
National SPJ leaders chose the Minnesota Pro Chapter as the top chapter in the country for First Amendment and FOI contributions. Minnesota is one of five chapters the national journalist’s organization recognized in separate categories. In announcing the award, the committee made specific note of the state chapter’s efforts to educate and encourage local ethnic media outlets to improve their coverage of public officials through focused document research. A statement issued by the national group said such events “underscored the importance of journalists using FOI initiatives to strengthen the validity of published articles.”
“This is a great honor,” said Minnesota Pro Chapter President Nicole Garrison-Sprenger. “We put a lot of effort into reaching diverse populations to promote SPJ’s mission. We don’t do that for the awards but it’s gratifying to be recognized.” The award is one of several the Minnesota chapter has garnered in recent years, including the 2007 National Chapter of the Year.
The national Society salutes five chapters for their work each year in areas such as chapter communications, professional development and campus outreach.
