SPJ national update IV: AT&T ripped for censoring lyrics; and Senate moves to clear FOIA backlog. The open-access nonprofit lobbying group Public Knowledge called "appalling" AT&T's editing of lyrics from a webcast of the Lollapalooza concert in August that the telecommunications giant sponsored. AT&T said it was a mistake that won't be repeated. Pearl Jam performed a variation on Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall" with the modified lyrics "George Bush, leave this world alone" and, "George Bush, find yourself another home." The lines were cut from the AT&T web site. More here. ... The Senate took a step Aug. 3 toward cleaning up the backlog of Freedom of Information Act requests, passing a bill that would try to prevent the current months- and even years-long delays for government responses to journalists' requests for information. A similar bill passed the House in March. Government agencies are supposed to respond within 20 days to FOIA requests, but a George Washington University study released in July found numerous requests languishing for more than a decade; one was more than 20 years old. More here.
SPJ national update V: Government hearts its illegals; and could it be? Bush administration rewrites history? If the president is serious about penalizing U.S. employers who hire illegal aliens, he can start with his own administration, which employs thousands of unauthorized workers, says the top Republican on the House immigration subcommittee. A 2006 audit showed that federal, state and local governments are among the biggest employers of the half-million persons in the U.S. illegally using "non-work" Social Security numbers. More here. ... People using CIA and FBI computers have edited Wikipedia entries on topics including the Iraq war and the Guantanamo prison, according to a new tracing program. The program, WikiScanner, tracks the source of computers used to make changes to the popular internet encyclopedia where anyone can submit and edit entries. WikiScanner revealed that CIA computers were used to edit an entry on the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. A graphic on casualties was edited to add that many figures were estimated and were not broken down by class. More here.
SPJ national update VI: Standing-O greets call to leave Iraq (and you won't read about it); digital additions counter traditional j-job losses; and journal's pains reflect media's malaise. A statement from Puerto Rico's governor that the U.S. should withdraw from Iraq earned a standing ovation Aug. 25 from a conference of more than 4,000 National Guardsmen. Gov. Anibal Acevedo Vila said the U.S. administration has "no new strategy and no signs of success" and that prolonging the war needlessly puts guardsmen in harm's way. The Associated Press wrote the story, which almost no U.S. outlets carried. More here. ... As newspapers and broadcasters slice their senior-level workforce, they are also quietly building their digital and online teams. More here. ... American Journalism Review, the influential but financially troubled media journal, could shut down by year's end. Tom Kunkel, the review's president, said it is "more likely" that the magazine will continue publishing next year but that he must close a deficit of roughly $200,000 -- about one-quarter of its annual budget. More here.
SPJ national update VII: Poll reports climate problems the biggest threat. Pollution and other environmental problems increasingly are seen as the leading threat the world faces, according to a massive survey of global public opinion from the Pew Research Center. The United States is given much of the blame for those problems and the responsibility to respond to them. The poll, taken in 46 countries and the Palestinian territories, found that people in countries as diverse as Canada, Peru, Ukraine, China and India identified environmental degradation as a greater world danger than nuclear weapons, ethnic hatred and AIDS. More here.
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PEOPLE & PLACES
Drenda Witt, director of collaborative network marketing at JPS Health Network, received the PRSA Health Academy's 2007 Frank J. Weaver Lifetime Achievement Award, given to health care PR pros who have made a major impact on the field. The selection committee cited her work in crisis communications as well as heading education campaigns on topics ranging from the uninsured to public reporting. She will accept the award at the Health Academy dinner Oct. 22 during the PRSA International Conference in Philadelphia. ...
Laura Van Hoosier has earned the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) designation, signifying that she has demonstrated competency in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice public relations in today's business arena. The APR is the only professional certification open to public relations professionals.
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GET A JOB
The Cattleman magazine has an immediate opening for an ad coordinator and trade show assistant manager for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in Fort Worth. The position provides a base salary commensurate with experience, plus commission. With a circulation of more than 17,000, The Cattleman is the leading business journal of the Southwest beef cattle industry and has published continuously since 1914. Staff members produce 12 monthly issues in a lively and highly interactive environment. Requirements include limited travel in Texas and Oklahoma, attendance at client auction sales and industry events, knowledge of Microsoft Office, and the ability to learn specialized client database software. Knowledge of the purebred and commercial cattle industry is preferable. Contact editor Ellen Brisendine, 1301 W. Seventh Street, Fort Worth 76102, ehbrisendine@texascattleraisers.org. ...
The YMCA of Arlington seeks a dynamic, talented, mission-driven professional to head its marketing and communications department. A bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing or communications and a minimum of two years experience are required, with skills in budgeting, volunteer leadership, photography, word processing, database management, desktop publishing and electronic photo editing preferred. Salary $37,868-$45,459, plus benefits including 12 percent paid retirement. Send résumé with cover letter and four professional references by Sept. 7 to jenniferk@ymca-arlington.org. ...
A photographer/author seeks a marketing/PR pro to assist in publicity for a PDF/online book. "Do It Right the First Time, Stay Out of Photoshop" will explain how to avoid countless hours in Photoshop by learning photography the right way. The book will be sold on the internet via photography-related sites. Compensation negotiable; position available at end of year 2007 with promotion/sales beginning in early 2008. E- Terry Wier at twier@airmail.net. ...
Brunet-Garcia Advertising in Jacksonville, Fla., is exploring a partnership with a Texas PR and media relations freelancer familiar with bilingual (Hispanic), bicultural/arts programs. Work with state agencies would also be helpful. Contact Stephanie McLain Barker, APR, 904-346-1977, stephaniemcb@brunetgarcia.com. ...
A start-up research consulting group seeks assistance in getting its name in the trade journals. The company analyzes markets for potential real estate developers, operators and financers who are considering new projects or acquiring existing ones. It initially specialized in medical research but has expanded into retail, assisted living and banking. Send a brief summary of experience and how best to initiate the process to mark@phoebosgroup.com.
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NEW MEMBERS
PRSA ... Clint Bond, Fort Worth ISD ... Stacey Mensik, JPS Health Network ... Ana Montanez, Fort Worth International Center ... Genevieve Pierce, Jaaron Bryant PR ... John Smith, Lockheed Martin ... Niccole Willey, JPS Health Network
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