SPJ national update III: Shining a little light; upgrading the FOIA; and governor see, governor do. Seven journalism organizations and the AP are behind the Sunshine in Government Initiative, which seeks to combat what the groups see as increased government secrecy since the 2001 attacks. The initiative was announced March 10 ahead of "Sunshine Week," a campaign for government openness spearheaded by more than 50 news outlets, journalism groups, universities and the American Library Association. More here. And the message is perhaps being heard. Seven out of 10 Americans are concerned about government secrecy, a new poll says. The poll found that more than half of Americans believe government should provide more access. Even more, 70 percent, are either "somewhat concerned" or "very concerned" about government secrecy. More here and here. ... Media outlets across the country are urging the passage of legislation that proposes the first major changes to the federal Freedom of Information Act in nearly a decade. The "Openness Promotes Effectiveness in Our National Government Act," sponsored by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, would expand the act in several ways. More here. ... A week after Democratic legislators faulted Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger for using taxpayer money to produce "propaganda" in the form of a mock news video, the administration on March 9 acknowledged making several others to advance its policies. More here and here.
SPJ national update IV: No farm animals, no foul; rather tacky, Rather thoughtful; and free the Scarlet Knights! The House Judiciary Committee rejected, along party lines, a request to investigate whether the White House provided press room access to a reporter with questionable journalism credentials -- and a Web site proclaiming his charms as a homosexual prostitute -- as part of its efforts to control media coverage. More here and here. ... On Dan Rather's last night, when the evening news staff surrounded him and applauded after he had signed off, instead of keeping the camera on the newsworthy scene, CBS News cut away to the Wal-Mart billboard that runs at the end of the newscast. More here. ... Call it a lesson in freedom of the press for the man who runs Rutgers U.'s journalism department. Department chairman John Pavlik last month reversed his edict that on-campus topics would be off-limits to students in the investigative reporting class. The change of heart came after a squall of media coverage and objections from faculty, including professors in his own department. SPJ got involved at the request of the course's instructor, former national board member Guy Baehr. More here and here.
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A Quick Lesson on Media Interviews: Take Charge
by Tim Tune, president
IABC/Fort Worth
If you want a media interview to be positive, you have more control than you might realize. That was Jim Barach's message at the March meeting, and it came from a pro -- he has seen the broadcast news business from the inside out.
Barach, who has extensive experience as a radio-TV personality, reporter and anchor (and also is a certified meteorologist), said good media skills begin with knowing what drives interviewers. They want background, so do the work for them; they want help condensing complexities into a 90-second story, so summarize the material for them; they want sound bites, so offer six- to 10-second responses to their questions. It's also critical how a story is pitched, and Barach said reporters have an affinity for conflict, controversy, exclusive access, breaking news and something new or unique.
He also gave the common-sense advice to be punctual. Reporters live on deadline, he noted, and it doesn't hurt to provide a spokesperson who's interesting and fun to interview. For that interview, Barach said, you should know what your message is in advance; condense your story to a maximum of three key sub-messages; stay focused; and bridge the reporter back to your story with a "zinger" or off-subject question to steer the interview back around to your main topic.
And, Barach cautioned, always assume that you're being recorded and your comments are on the record. Don't say -- or do -- something you might regret later.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Blue Marble Media will develop the web site and e-marketing campaign for Superior Soils, a Frisco-based specialist in organic soils that is launching Nature's Little Garden organic products in south Louisiana and south Mississippi. Blue Marble Media also has been selected as the agency of record for the Euless Lonestars, a baseball team in the Texas Collegiate League. The project will consist of web development, e-marketing campaigns, printed materials and media relations. ...
The Columbia Scholastic Press Association honored the UTA newspaper, The Shorthorn, in March with two Gold Crown Awards, which mark the best college papers in the country. Only seven colleges received the award, and only four won for both spring and fall. Eleven other schools won Silver Crowns, the second tier of excellence. The Shorthorn also won the Gold Crown in 1988, 1990, 1999, 2001 and 2004, but this is the first time it won for each semester, plus the first time it won in consecutive years. Current and former staff members Shannon Duffy, Brandon Guidry, Mark Roberts, Katy Williams, Tiffany Murphy, Josh Bohling and Britney Tabor won Gold Circle Awards for individual work. ...
The Star-Telegram sports staff has been named in the Top 10 in the country, again, by APSE for special sections (the Summer Olympics preview) and Sunday. The paper won honorable mention in daily in the largest circulation category.
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GET A JOB
Diana Fuentes at the Laredo Morning Times needs "a good editor, preferably someone who knows Quark, is creative and knows style. If it's someone who's a strong editor and could serve as news editor, he wouldn't have to know Quark, just have good news sense and, of course, good editing and headline-writing skills." She also needs two reporters, one for courts. "I tried a couple of people who sounded like good candidates during our Hearst fellow interviews but have had no luck so far," she writes. "Those living in San Diego and Boston, apparently, can't quite see the appeal in a Texas-Mexico border adventure." ... The Abilene Reporter-News needs someone to oversee the copy/design desk and to be in charge at night. Contact Terri Burke, burket@reporternews.com. ...
The UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth seeks a communications coordinator. Requirements include a bachelor's degree in journalism, PR or related field, two years experience and a Texas drivers license. Familiarity with communications tasks and theories is preferred. Send 3-5 clips to UNT Human Resources Services, (817) 735-0107 fax or bmiller@hsc.unt.edu. Salary is $29,376 a year. More from Kay Colley, (817) 735-2553. ... A Dallas-based transportation services company (12,000 employees in the United States and Canada) seeks an internal communications manager with 5-7 years in internal corporate communications, writing and journalism; a bachelor's degree in journalism or related field; experience in spreadsheet, word processing and presentation software. Data entry skills are preferred, with fluency in Spanish a plus. Contact Mary Spilman, (972) 788-4044 or spilman@airmail.net. ... Bimbo Bakeries USA/Mrs Baird's has a $200-a-day contract position for a technical writer to create easy-to-understand "help" copy for new in-house scheduling software. Position is expected to last 8-10 weeks starting in early April, with some off-site work permitted. Technical writing samples and experience using Microsoft HTML Help Workshop are preferred. Contact Sherry Jones, (817) 212-2134 or sjones@BimboBakeriesUSA.com. ...
The Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas seeks a marketing associate to write the organization's newsletters, manage all e-philanthropy capabilities and do some project management. Requirements include a bachelor's degree in marketing or related field, with 1-2 years marketing communications experience. Knowledge of the print process, desktop publishing, Macromedia Dreamweaver and HTML skills is a plus. Salary in the low 30s. E-mail résumé and two writing samples to jtingley@jfgd.org. ... Looking for a journalism job or internship in the Midwest? Check the Chicago Headline Club's JobFile, which posts dozens of leads each week. While you're there, subscribe to receive the latest postings in a weekly e-mail. Select listings also can be heard on the Headline Club's voice mail: (312) 409-7997 ext. 3. ...
