Minnesota SPJ

Call for entries: 2009 Minnesota SPJ Scholarship

Posted on 27. Feb, 2009 by sarah.bauer.

The Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (MN SPJ) is pleased to announce that it is now accepting applications for its 2009 student scholarship. This year, MN SPJ will award two $1,000 scholarships to students pursuing a career in journalism.

Applicants must either be enrolled in a post-secondary institution in Minnesota or be a Minnesota high school graduate enrolled in a post-secondary institution outside of Minnesota.

Preference will be given to Society of Professional Journalists members. The deadline for application is April 3, 2009.

Awards will be presented at MN SPJ’s annual Page One banquet in June 2009.

DOWNLOAD THE 2009 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION (word)

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MN SPJ Supports Online Journalists

Posted on 26. Feb, 2009 by sarah.bauer.

Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists supports the ability of online-based journalists to attend any and all legislative gatherings open to other media. SPJ can see no reason why journalists should be excluded because of how their product is distributed. By barring online reporters, legislators portray themselves as out of touch with the method by which an increasing number of Minnesotans receive their news.

If the Legislature is concerned about the conduct of individual reporters, existing rules and procedures can be utilized. If the problem is one of space, then the criteria for distributing media passes should be equitable for all journalists, not arbitrarily discriminatory based on an outlet’s medium.

The Minnesota Independent quotes House Rules Committee Chair Tony Sertich as saying a rule change to allow online media would open access to anybody. In fact, the change gives open access to everybody, which is the best and most credible means of government accountability in a democracy.

The Minnesota Chapter of SPJ is available to facilitate further discussions or meet with legislators to answer any questions.

Contact: Art Hughes
Minnesota SPJ board member
(612) 236-8302

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Meeting Minutes: Feb. 23, 2009

Posted on 24. Feb, 2009 by sarah.bauer.

2-23-09_minutes

Respectfully submitted by Sarah Bauer, secretary
February 24, 2009

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PAGE ONE DEADLINE THIS WEEK!

Posted on 16. Feb, 2009 by sarah.bauer.

Don’t forget to submit your entry for the 2009 Page One Awards by this Wednesday, February 18th.

This year, MN SPJ is excited to announce that it has put the entry process online. Entrants can submit entries and payment at: https://newscouncil.wufoo.com/forms/2009-page-one-awards-contest-entry-form/.

Read more about the entry categories.

Please note: MN SPJ prefers that you submit a digital copy of your work along with your entry form (i.e. a link to your story online or a PDF file). You must fill out one form for each entry you wish to submit.

Please contact Sarah Bauer with any questions or concerns.
p: 612-341-9357
e: sarah.bauer@news-council.org

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VIDEO: News coverage of the Somali community (Part 1 of 2)

Posted on 14. Feb, 2009 by jeff.achen.

Watch video of a panel of local journalists and Somali community leaders discussing challenges to covering an immigrant community and the differing roles of the mainstream media and the ethnic news media in covering the Somali community. Panelists included:

• Moderator – Wendy Wyatt, University of St. Thomas
• Julia Opoti, Editor — Mshale
• Duchesne Drew, Managing Editor for Operations — Star Tribune
• Ruben Rosario, Columnist (Crime, Justice & Public Safety) — Pioneer Press
• Laura Yuen, Reporter – Minnesota Public Radio
• Esme Murphy, Reporter/Anchor — WCCO-TV
• Mohamed Hassan, President – Somali Institute for Peace and Justice
• Sahra Noor, Director, Language Services and Community Health – Fairview/University of Minnesota Medical Center
• Hassan Mohamud, Attorney/Professor, William Mitchell College of Law
• Dr. Abdirahman D Mohamed, Chief of Staff — AXIS Medical Center
• Hussein Samatar, Executive Director – African Development Center

Presented by the Minnesota News Council, with co-sponsors, The Minnesota Journalism Center and MN Society of Professional Journalists.

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VIDEO: News coverage of the Somali community (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 14. Feb, 2009 by jeff.achen.

Watch part 2 of the “News coverage of the Somali community” panel discussion.

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