Minnesota SPJ

Meeting Minutes for March 30, 2010

Posted on 02. Apr, 2010 by jeff.achen.

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Good Question: Why should I join SPJ?

Posted on 14. Mar, 2010 by jeff.achen.

Minnesota Pro Chapter SPJ Member and WCCO Reporter Jason DeRusha asks “Why should I join SPJ?” Good question! Here’s our answer.

Special thanks to Jason for his willingness to help us promote SPJ. For more information on joining, click here.

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Meeting Minutes for Sept. 15, 2009

Posted on 09. Oct, 2009 by jeff.achen.

Society of Professional Journalists
Minnesota Pro Chapter
Chapter Meeting
Sept. 15, 2009
KSTP TV, 3415 University Ave., Saint Paul
Board members present: Scott Theisen, president; Sarah Bauer, president-elect; Nicole Garrison-Sprenger, past-president; Amanda Theisen, treasurer; Jeff Achen, secretary; Sarah McKenzie, Alyssa Ford, Joan Gilbertson, Karen Lundegaard; Justin Piehowski, Art Hughes, Andrew Tellijohn and Jane Kirtley directors.

I. Reports

II. Upcoming programs

a. Board discussed the upcoming “Comment Conundrum” panel event Sept. 29 and Intern night Oct. 22. There was also discussion of a grant opportunity from SPJ National for programs. Board Member Jane Kirtley suggested bringing journalists and author Chris Hedges to the University of Minnesota and making that an SPJ sponsored event, possibly a book signing too. This could possibly be tied into the grant program. [...]

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Event: The Comment Conundrum

Posted on 16. Sep, 2009 by scott.theisen.

What are news outlets doing to ensure civil discourse on their sites? What happens when inappropriate content is posted on comment sites? What are the legal ramifications for news outlets? For the commenters? What draws readers to comment on stories? Which sites have the best and worst commenters?

Come discuss journalism’s comment conundrum.

Watch the livestream on our video page. (Begins at 7 p.m. CST)

When: Tuesday, Sept. 29 | 7-9 p.m.

Location: 3M Auditorium | Owens Science Hall | University of St. Thomas, St. Paul Campus

Parking: Anderson Parking Facility (ramp) located near the intersection of Cretin Avenue and Grand Avenue. Rates are $1 per hour. Visitors can swipe a credit card when they enter and exit or get a ticket and pay at the pay station with cash or a credit card.

Cost: This event is free and open to the public and sponsored by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists, the Minnesota News Council and the Department of Communication and Journalism, University of St. Thomas.

Panelists include:

David Brauer, MinnPost.com (Moderator)

Mike Knaak, Assistant Managing Editor – St. Cloud Times

Terry Sauer, Assistant Managing Editor/Digital – Star Tribune

Leita Walker, Associate – Faegre & Benson

Also, local reporters whose stories are often the target of comments that range from helpful and constructive to angry and libelous will share their experiences during the discussion.

Selected reading list:

Newspapers take renewed aim at the comment cesspool – MinnPost.com

Racism, Attacks Lead News Sites to Disable Story Comments – Poynter

When Comments Cross the Line – Poynter

Wheat from comment chaff? The visual comment map – MinnPost.com

Delay in Removing An Insulting Comment – Washington Post
[...]

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KSTP to receive Historic Site in Journalism Award

Posted on 24. Jun, 2009 by scott.theisen.

Hubbard Broadcasting will receive its Historic Site in Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists during an event at KSTP-TV/Hubbard Broadcasting in St. Paul Friday, June 26. Each year, one plaque can be given by SPJ to a news organization, person or landmark of national interest. The Hubbard family, which has owned the company for more than 80 years, will receive the award from SPJ’s executive board and staff members. The event also is part of the continuing SPJ centennial celebration.

Hubbard Broadcasting began in 1925 when Stanley E. Hubbard started a dance-music radio station. Since then, the company has been a pioneer in the broadcasting industry. This is the first Historic Site in Journalism Award to be presented in Minnesota. The Historic Sites program began in 1942 to recognize places that have played important roles in American journalism.

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