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 Writer's Week
Society of Professional Journalists
Cleveland Pro Chapter Newsletter
Oct. 8, 2014
Deadline For Next Edition: Oct. 17, 2014
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President's message
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Would "Kill the Messenger" story have played out differently today?
 | | Rodney Bengston |
It's Tuesday and in a couple of hours I plan on heading out to see a screening of "Kill the Messenger."
The extended title explains the story even more: "How the CIA's Crack-Cocaine Controversy Destroyed Journalist Gary Webb." (And a copy of the book was put in my swag bag at the recent SPJ convention.)
The book details how this story derailed the life and career of Webb, who worked at the Plain Dealer before heading out into California. It shows how painstakingly Webb and other reporters worked on their investigative reports.
Investigative reporters sometimes would spend months trying to pin down the necessary details for the story.
I will leave it to others to decide if the book and movie serve as vindication of sorts for Webb.
My question is this: In this social media age with Twitter and the like, would this story have played out differently today?
Rodney Bengston
President, SPJ Cleveland
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| NEO STC hosts "Content Strategy: What Is It & Why Is It Important?" seminar Oct.8 | 
NEO STC's monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 8 will focus on building a successful content strategy.
Speaker Denise Kadilak, an Information Architect/Team Manager with Blackbaud, Inc., will teach attendees how to create a content strategy that supports their efforts to effectively deliver the right information, in the right media, using a manageable publishing process.
The talk will look at maximizing the discovery process; engaging internal stakeholders while preventing them from hijacking your content; and efficiently providing all required deliverables.
Those who opt to attend the dinner will be able to make their own burritos with chicken and vegetarian options. Salsa and chips, desserts, soda and water will also be provided.
Members can bring a non-member guest for free, and each will be entered in a raffle to win free attendance to a future NEO STC meeting. A brief orientation session will be available to non-member guests. The lineup of events is: Registration - 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Dinner - 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Presentation - 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Price: Meeting Only - Members/Students: $10 Meeting Only - Non-Members: $15 With Dinner - Members/Students: $20 With Dinner - Non-Members: $25
Location: Keithley Instruments 28775 Aurora Road Solon, OH 44139
If you need directions the day of the meeting, please call Claudia at 440-476-2069. For more information or to register, click here. |
Job Opportunities
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DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION
KENT STATE UNIVERSITY, KENT, OHIO
The Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication invites applications for our director of student media. We seek an outstanding and visionary leader who is able to set a strategic direction for and manage our award-winning multi-unit student media operation.
The Position
This newly created Director of Student Media will manage the Kent State University Department of Student Media's business and advising operations, including advertising, finance, contracts, legal, personnel and marketing. The Director of Student Media will supervise the Office of Student Media four-person professional staff and work with student leaders and advisers for each media unit to set a strategic direction for the organization as well as JMC faculty to build a stronger curriculum that supports student media and strengthens the school. The Director of Student Media reports to the Director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communication and serves on the School's Executive Committee.
The Qualifications
Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree in
journalism or related field and have a minimum of five years of experience in a professional or college media organization that includes management, budgeting and digital media experience.
Special preference will be given to those who have
ˇ Experience in overseeing media production including news writing, photography, video, design, website development, advertising and marketing and in mentoring students.
ˇ Knowledge of relevant regulations and laws, current media technology and trends and challenges facing media companies.
ˇ Ability to recognize new opportunities and challenges and to develop and deliver both operating budgets and long-term strategic plans.
ˇ Skill in verbal, written and interpersonal communication, collaborative decision-making and the ability to communicate effectively with all components of the university and external constituents.
ˇ Commitment to the importance of student press freedom and the independence of student content decision makers.
Salary is competitive and dependent upon qualifications and experience.
The Opportunity
Kent State University's student media operation includes nine award-winning units: newspaper, cable television station, multi-media news website, web-based radio station and five magazines. All are independent with all content decisions made by student editors/managers. The Office of Student Media's annual budget is over $800,000 supported both by advertising revenue and student activity fee allocations and involves over 400 students per semester.
Kent State University's School of Journalism and Mass Communication is a forward-thinking school, strategically positioned within an innovative college and a dynamic university. Our ACEJMC-accredited program teaches a diverse population of more than 800 undergraduate and 200 master's students. The School is home to the Center for Scholastic Journalism, a national clearinghouse of information for and about a national clearinghouse of information for and about student journalists and their advisers. Kent State University's eight-campus system in northeast Ohio is among the largest regional systems in the country with more than 42,000 students. The University's Center for Student Involvement offers programs and services designed to foster student growth and development through leadership, civic, cultural and involvement opportunities and supports over 300 student organizations including student media.
To Apply Visit our website at http://jobs.kent.edu (position number 998192) to submit an application letter, résumé and names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references. Review of applications will begin on September 25, 2014, and will continue until the position is filled.
Questions may be directed to: Mark Goodman, Professor and Knight Chair in Scholastic Journalism Search Committee Co-Chair Kent State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication P.O. Box 5190, 201D Franklin Hall Kent, OH 44242-0001 Mgoodm10@kent.edu 330.672.6239
MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER, CLEVELAND RTA
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) located in Cleveland, Ohio, is searching for a skilled, transformative, energetic leader to join its Marketing & Communications team. Reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing & Communications and working on a day-to-day basis with the CEO, this leader has a great opportunity to build strong relationships and enhance RTA's image at the local and national level. This position is responsible for aligning media relations strategies with the organization's business strategy and goals. RTA is a financially-sound transit agency that is nationally recognized for the quality of services it provides and for its innovate management practices. It offers a wide range of comprehensive benefits and programs to support the health and wellness of employees and family members including Health Benefits and a very attractive pension plan. Detailed Description
Duties: Plans and directs the development and communication of information directed toward media outlets that is designed to inform the public of the Authority's programs, plans, and points of view. Handles media strategy planning for crisis management and PR activities. Prepares press releases, media briefs, Op Ed pieces, and speeches to disseminate RTA information to the public. Maintains a working relationship with local media. Assists the Marketing and Communications Department in planning and executing promotions. Works in concert with the Authority's Legal Division to ensure the timely processing of public information requests. Performs duties of a similar nature as may be required.
Job Requirements
Minimum Requirements: Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English or other related field with an emphasis on public relations skills from an institution that is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Higher Learning Commission, and/or the United States Department of Education. Applicant must have at least five (5) years of experience in communications and media relations. This experience must include communicating on radio and on camera (i.e. press conferences, television, etc.). Experience should also include working in a team-focused environment. Applicants must demonstrate strong oral and written communications skills as excellent diction and presentation skills are a must. Applicants must have strong PC skills in a Windows environment and working knowledge of the Internet related to public relations. Bilingual abilities are a plus. Apply here.
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 Oct. 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.
- Application (available as a PDF or as a Word document)
- Cover letter
- 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.
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Scholarships and Fellowships
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Internships for journalism and communication students
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Writer'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.
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