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  Writer's Week  

Society of Professional Journalists

    Cleveland Pro Chapter Newsletter     

Aug. 24, 2014   

 Deadline For Next Edition: Sept. 12, 2014  
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President's message
Police out of bounds in preventing news media from doing their job   
Rodney Bengston
Rodney Bengston

 

It still is an uncertain situation in Ferguson, Mo., but the one certainty is that mistakes were made.

 

We need to let the legal process run its course to see if anyone should be facing criminal charges for the shooting death of Michael Brown.

 

But the police's handling of the media also needs to be called into question, too.

 

A CNN headline on Aug. 19 read: "Six more journalists arrested in Ferguson protests." And the kicker is they were detained and never charged - some even got apologies.

 

It is fair to say police sometimes have to take actions to ensure everyone's safety. But it is completely out of bounds to detain members of the press when they are simply doing their job.

 

These strong-arm tactics even have less of a chance working today because even if the working journalists are carted away someone else - who may not have a code of ethics like SPJ members - will take to social media and show the world what is happening.

 

When all of this turmoil was happening in Ferguson, one of my Facebook friends (who happens to be African-American) posted a video of a white police officer having a "dance off" with some African-American kids on his beat in another community.

My friend was making the point that the supposed silliness was really about relationships being developed - and lines of communication being opened.

 

Open communication and a free, unrestricted press help ensure the public gets the information it needs. And in the end it could make things safer for all of us.

 

Rodney Bengston

President, SPJ Cleveland       

   

Job opportunities
REPORTER - RECORD-COURIER, KENT

Record Publishing Company is seeking an experienced, dependable, energetic and motivated reporter to join the staff of our award-winning newspaper in Kent, Ohio.

Minimum Qualifications: At least two years of reporting experience Bachelor's degree in journalism or a related field Knowledge of Associated Press style, newspaper pagination, photography and video experience is a plus, as is knowledge of NewsEditPro and Adobe InDesign programs.

Qualified candidate should be proficient in major social media platforms and be prepared to move between print and digital. Candidates should excel at meeting daily deadlines. This position involves a combination of night, day and weekend shifts.

Record Publishing Company offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including medical and dental insurance, vacation and holiday pay, 401K and mileage reimbursement. Send cover letter, resume and writing samples to: editor@recordpub.com 
  

 

BROADCAST DESK ASSISTANT - PBS
Duration: Jan. 12, 2015 - July 17, 2015
Location: Arlington, Va. 

  

The Desk Assistant position is part of a six-month entry-level program designed for recent graduates and aimed at providing practical experience in a broadcast news setting. The DAs are exposed to all aspects involved in producing a nightly television news program. Desk Assistant duties are rotational among the different units that compose the NewsHour.

Over the course of the program, each of the Desk Assistants hired will work in three different units for a period of two months each. They also act as support staff for Senior Producers, Associate Producers, Reporter-Producers and Production Assistants by answering phones, sorting mail, distributing papers and other administrative tasks. Finally, Desk Assistants will attend a series of breakfasts with various members of our organization including correspondents, producers, and reporters.

Each DA will work in three of the following rotations for a period of two months each:

FOREIGN AFFAIRS / NATIONAL AFFAIRS / POLITICS The Beat DAs perform a variety of duties, including providing basic research, finding and pre-interviewing guests, logging feeds, and aiding reporters, producers and correspondents with whatever they need. In the evening, the National Affairs and Politics DAs work on script production and in the control room during the taping of the show.
(The script production and control room duties switch after one month.)

LOGGING The Logging DA logs and manages incoming feeds from the Associated Press Television Network (APTN). They also log press conferences and hearings as needed, create posts for the NewsHour's Rundown blog, and join reporter-producers on video shoots. Along with the Newsdesk DA, they also answer phones and provide support in the newsroom.
(This is done for one month and then switches with Newsdesk.)

NEWSDESK The Newsdesk DA is primarily responsible for providing general coverage in the newsroom, logging news feeds, answering phones, tracking tape stock, distributing information, photocopying and fact-checking all script and tape information before air.
(This is done for one month and then switches with Logging.)

PRODUCTION The Production DA is responsible for maintaining our tape library, accompanying crew on local shoots; and providing additional assistance in the edit and tape rooms. During the evening, this person assists with script production and sits in the studio to assist the anchors.

RESEARCH/COMMUNICATIONS The Research/Communications DA plays two roles: assisting the research librarians with long-term projects by compiling dossiers for anchors, producers and reporters. and writing press releases, compiling press lists, editing DVDs for awards submissions, and performing other duties for the Communications offices.

- Bachelor's degree.
- Good writing and research skills.
- Demonstrated interest in journalism and/or television production.
- Pleasant phone manner and good administrative skills.
- Strong work ethic and effective time management.
- Knowledge of the PBS NewsHour's journalistic style.
- Prior experience in a broadcast news setting is strongly preferred.

The deadline for applications is October 31. To be considered, please email ztreu@newshour.org.

The Desk Assistant position pays $9 an hour with overtime eligibility. As it is a temporary position, we are unable to provide health benefits.

To apply, please send the following to the Desk Assistant Coordinator via email (preferred) or ground mail.
  1. Application (available as a PDF or as a Word document)
  2. Cover letter
  3. Resume

Zachary Treu
Desk Assistant Coordinator
PBS NewsHour
3620 27th Street South
Arlington, VA 22206

Candidates must have valid authorization per DHS form I-9 regulations to work for any employer within the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available. 

 
 
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR - CLEVELAND CITY COUNCIL
Cleveland City Council has lost Jim Kopniske who has been communications director for the past four years. Jim has decided to return to college.
 
Council has posted the position for a Communications Director who has a minimum of five years experience in the business, two years' experience as a supervisor.
 
This is a challenging position that requires someone who is flexible and has the right temperament to work with elected officials. It is also a bit of a hot seat, but it does lead to many new contacts and daily work with the news media.
 
If you are interested and qualified, please send a resume to this email.
 
Council wants to fill this by September, if possible.

ASSISTANT EDITOR - EARLY AMERICAN LIFE MAGAZINE
Firelands Media Group LLC is interviewing for the position of Assistant Editor for Early American Life magazine. The position is full-time with benefits. The ideal candidate will have writing and editing skills for both print and electronic media, a knowledge and appreciation of American history and historic styles, and the ability to represent the magazine in public forums, both online and in person.

Duties include making assignments to outside writers, creating original content, editing for style, copy editing, and interfacing with the art department. Because we attend shows, the position requires flexibility and the availability to travel. Fluency in Microsoft Word and sufficient understanding of Adobe Creative Suite to work with the art department are required.

Early American Life is a national consumer magazine with headquarters in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and is published seven times a year.

Applicants should contact Tess Rosch, publisher, at 440-543-8566 or submit resumes by email to this address.

TECHNICAL WRITER - NORDSON CORPORATION
Writes, edits, and coordinates the printing of Nordson technical publications including product manuals, instruction sheets, documentation for engineered systems, field service handbooks, and other technical literature.

Essential job duties and responsibilities:
1. Writes and revises product manuals, instruction sheets, documentation for engineered systems, field service handbooks, and other technical literature.
2. Assumes day-to-day responsibility for maintenance of major publications or product group documentation.
3. Selects artwork for technical publications; assists in coordinating the production of artwork.
4. Edits and coordinates the production of foreign language manuals for Nordson products.
5. Assists in maintenance of technical communications files and information storage systems.
6. Coordinates the review of internal and external technical publications to ensure the accuracy of text, completeness of information, and adequacy of warnings.
7. Consults with Engineering and Marketing personnel to establish technical content and time schedules for manual publications.
8. Checks artwork and graphics; coordinates publication and distribution of printed materials.
9. Estimates and helps control costs consistent with quality and budget requirements.

Education Required: Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or similar is required

Experience Required: Minimum of one year of experience in Business, Engineering or Manufacturing environment

Preferred Skills and Abilities:
1. Excellent written and oral communication skills
2. Time and project management
3. Basic knowledge of mechanics, hydraulics, and electricity is preferred
4. Ability to read blueprints and engineering drawings preferred
5. Knowledge of printing and printing process preferred
6. Experience with Adobe InDesign, Corel Draw, Adobe Photoshop, RoboHelp and QuickSilver is preferred
7. AUTOCAD and Solidworks experience is preferred
8. Web, multi-media and graphic design experience is preferred

Location: Amherst, Ohio
More information and how to apply here.    
Events
There is more information on most of these events in articles below and at left. Job listings are featured below at left, student internships below at right.
Aug. 28
Organizational Meeting
Cleveland SPJ Board
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 
Market Garden Brewery
1947 W. 25th Street
Basement level

Sept. 4-6
Excellence in Journalism
SPJ's national annual conference
Opryland Hotel
Nashville

 

Sept. 10

Cocktails and Conversation
with Facebook Content Strategist Jonathon Colman

The Press Club

6 p.m. 

at the Cambridge Room at House of Blues

308 Euclid Ave., Cleveland 44114

 

Sept. 20

Associated Press Media Editors

Columbus, Ohio, NewsTrain

8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

at the Columbus Dispatch

34 S. 3rd St., Columbus, Ohio 43215 

Cost: $75

More info and online registration here 

 

 

 

EIJ conference Sept. 4-6

 

Excellence in Journalism 14 will take place Sept. 4-6 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Pre-conference registration has ended, but on-site registration is available. The annual conference features top news professionals from broadcast, print and digital newsrooms throughout the country.

 

The EIJ14 app is now available for download and offers the complete event schedule and announcements. Users can earn points, badges and a prize, as well as network with other journalists, on the app. For questions about the app, contact chapter coordinator Tara Puckey at tpuckey@spj.org or 317-920-4784.

ASNE seeks teachers
to help develop
news literacy program
ASNE logo

The American Society of News Editors would like to talk with teachers interested in helping develop model news literacy lesson plans for science at the secondary school level. Teachers selected for the project will be compensated $3,000 each. The project is coordinated by the ASNE and the Journalism Education Association, and funded with a grant from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.

 

Interested teachers would be provided with news literacy lesson plans and activities that could be modified and adapted for the science classroom or the teachers could create original lesson plans. Through this process, we hope to learn how science teachers view news literacy. We are also working on similar projects with national organizations and teachers in social studies, language arts and math.

 

What is news and information literacy? Simply put, it is the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources. In the information age, more data is produced in a single second than can possibly be consumed in a lifetime so the need for news and information literacy has never been more important. Research suggests that students who develop news and information literacy skills become more active and engaged citizens. Many schools across the nation already teach news literacy and more research on the impact of these efforts is underway.

 

One way to approach news literacy is with the REALLY technique developed by Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute. See REALLY? Teaching Students to Ask Critical Questions (this link downloads a PDF document). 

 

An overview of news literacy can be found in the Six Principles to Guide Producers and Consumers of News and Information. This guide and other news and information literacy resources are available here.  

 

Interested teachers should email Le Anne Wiseman at Lwiseman@asne.org or call 573-884-2689 for more information.

 

Quick Links

 SPJ Job Bank

Join or Renew Membership
(Be sure to scroll down on the application form and sign up for the Cleveland Pro Chapter, as well as the national SPJ)
Facebook strategy, Sept. 10

Make plans to join The Press Club of Cleveland for "Cocktails and Conversation with Facebook Content Strategist Jonathon Colman" on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at a downtown Cleveland location to be determined. Colman will be in town for the blockbuster Content Marketing World conference presented by Cleveland's own Content Marketing Institute, which was founded by Press Club board member Joe Pulizzi.
 
At the Sept. 10 event, Colman will talk about building an integrated content strategy and take plenty of Q&A.

Learn InDesign
this summer at  Lorain County Community College

Lorain County Community College is offering an In-Design course with an emphasis on newspaper/magazine design.

The class begins on Aug. 26 and the hours are 11a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

Journalists, who need to upgrade their skills, may take the class on an audit basis.

For more information, please contact Cliff Anthony at
canthony@lorainccc.edu

 

Internships for journalism and communication students

CREATIVE WRITER 

Save Local Now is looking for a creative writer interested in the world of advertising. Save Local Now is hiring an intern to help create and manage the content for its deal, event and business campaigns. You will be working with local business across the USA, Canada and Caribbean. We like wit, humor and energy!

Save Local Now is on a mission to grow local business, while making it easy for people to save money and buy local. Our digital marketing platform and suite of analytical tools help businesses promote themselves across social media channels. We offer mobile apps, email marketing, daily deals, and an event publishing service for consumers to interact with our members.

Responsibilities: 

Write copy for deal, event, and business campaigns;

  Ensure consistency and style, while focusing on commercial audiences;

Proofreading daily deals and events before publication;

Assist member engagement team with various projects.   

 

Requirements:

Undergraduate or graduate student or degree-holder. Creative Writing, Professional Writing or Journalism majors (preferred); 

Undergraduate or post-graduate writing or editorial experience (preferred);

Excellent oral and written communication skills (required);

Great attitude and sense of humor (required);

Tech-savvy and very comfortable using social media (required);

Passion for buy local initiatives and helping small businesses thrive (required); 

Experience managing and updating social media and blogs (preferred);

A strong desire to be an asset of a fast-growing, innovative company; 

Extreme attention to detail and the ability to multitask; 

Comfortable with a fast paced environment with the ability to adapt quickly;

Deadline driven.  

 

Location

Chagrin Falls, Ohio, or working from home will be considered.

 

Credit or Compensation

Internship can be used for college credit or a weekly stipend can be negotiated. There will be an opportunity for full-time hire at the conclusion of the internship.

Next Steps

Interested candidates should send a resume to Zach McCrory, Operations Manager, at this email address. 



VIRTUAL INTERSHIPS
THE CELEBRITY CAFE

We are looking for dedicated interns who understand the culture TheCelebrityCafe.com embodies. We have nine different internships opportunities; Marketing and Social Media, Business Administration, Research, Copy Editing, Graphic Design and our News, Music, Entertainment and Sports Writing internships.

This is a 12-week internship for students in a virtual office for academic credit only.

We had previously asked students to dedicate 10 hours minimum per week, but will be increasing the requirement to 15 hours each week. As the online forums for writers grow, we want to continue to guide students to the best of our ability and and help them understand how an online magazine operates, and found that this can not be properly done within our original time requirements.

Additional program descriptions are online here

We also want to highlight the importance of our Marketing and Social Media internship. Students who are interested in this internship will become knowledgeable in an array of online communication, and will learn how to combine online marketing with overarching outreach goals in a professional setting. This is a necessary skill for students to acquire upon entering professional work settings, many that are heavily internet focused.

Openings for the internships are limited. Please have interested students apply here as soon as possible.

 

infoaboutusWriter's Week is a service of the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. This e-newsletter is edited by Carrie Buchanan, assistant professor, Tim Russert School of Communication & Theatre Arts, John Carroll University, and assistant editor Jackie Mitchell, a reporter for the Cleveland Jewish News and recent graduate of John Carroll University.

Please send news items and job & internship postings to spjcleveland@gmail.com    

 

Street Address: Cleveland SPJ, 4337 Chanticleer Drive, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126-1906

Chapter email: Cleveland@spj.org

President: Rodney Bengston  

  

      The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. SPJ is dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi and based in Indianapolis, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed public, works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists, and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and of the press.