#rtdna

[newsmatt]

WTOP wins 4 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including for Overall Excellence | WTOP

WTOP has been honored with four Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards by the Radio Television Digital News Association, including one for overall excellence.

I’m proud to be on this team.

[bdotson46-blog]

A story is like an onion. As you peel back the layers you reveal another level of the story. Each layer represents a small story in a bigger narrative and the more you peel back the layers, the closer you get to the core. Some storytellers are content with one layer. The best create a narrative that connects all those layers, so when viewers get to the core, they see a whole new perspective. #rtdna#storytelling#tvnews#americanstory

[bdotson46-blog]

I told you yesterday that my first boss, Ernie Schultz, died. My remembrance didn’t do him justice. He was a newsman’s newsman who went on to lead the largest broadcast news organization in America. Here are some excerpts from Bob Priddy, Former Radio and Television Digital News Association Chairman: “We all looked up to Ernie Schultz. He was our wise advisor, our firm and deeply-committed leader, a man who exemplified the best “ (of electronic journalism.)   “Ernie had been in good health and in fact sent a Thanksgiving message” (to the older members of the RTDNA. He wrote:) “‘I am amazed and very pleased that so many of us are still out of jail, able to spell big words and appreciative of all the many benefits of our profession; especially in the time in which we practiced it; We are truly blessed. Teddy (his wife) and I are in excellent health and keep very busy.’”     “Tuesday, November 28th, Ernie fell at his home and struck his head. He died later that day from bleeding in the brain. He was 87 and is survived by his wife Teddy, children Jack and Elizabeth, and many other relatives and friends.”    “Here's the kind of guy Ernie was. We felt that the presidency of the organization should be worth $100,000. But Ernie refused to accept that salary because he didn't think the organization could afford it.” While others in Washington held planning sessions at expensive restaurants, Ernie bought sandwiches near RTDNA headquarters and solved it’s problems on a park bench.   * He hired the first woman television reporter in Oklahoma, Pam Henry * Pioneered digital news gathering. * And mentored many journalists who rose to the top of the journalism profession.   Ernie Schultz was “an important force (who) built the foundation” (of RTDNA) “with kindness, thoughtfulness and no pretense. He was an incredibly classy man.” A man so humble, his dying wish was no memorial service. Those of us who learned from Ernie — WE are his memorial. #americanstory#RTDNA

[frg93]

Heard a lot of valuable information tonight at the @fresnostate_rtdna meeting #fresnostate #rtdna (at Fresno State)

[eijnews]

Lesley Stahl and Pierre Thomas Q&A

The Radio and Television Digital News Association honored 60 Minutes correspondent Lesley Stahl and ABC News senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas Saturday night. Prior to the awards reception, Stahl and Thomas shared highlights of their careers with conference attendees, giving them personal insight into the field of broadcast journalism.

Stahl, who has more than 40 years experience as a television journalist, talked about her role at 60 Minutes and what goes into getting a story on the air.

Thomas began his career as a newspaper reporter in 1987 and transitioned into broadcast in 2000. He talked about the difficulty of coming back from an issue of integrity.

Thomas and Stahl agreed that even though journalism is changing, the foundation is still the same.

Stahl talked about an interview with Margaret Thatcher that she’ll never forget.

Saturday night, Stahl received the Paul White Award, named for the first news director at CBS. Thomas was honored with the John F. Hogan Award, which was named for the first president of RTDNA.

    Link: http://www.eijnews.org/2015/09/20/lesley-stahl-and-pierre-thomas-qa/

[eijnews]

Combining forces to advance EIJ

Fewer than five percent of this year’s 1,500 attendees to Excellence in Journalism are members of more than one organization associated with the conference. Among those in rarified air, Sonny Albarado, an Arkansas Democratic-Gazette projects editor.“That feels pretty good and it’s actually higher than I thought it would be,” he said.

Excellence in Journalism 2015 is comprised of three organizations, but it wasn’t always that way. The Society of Professional Journalists discussed teaming up with others in 2009, and it became a reality two years later.

SPJ teamed with the Radio Television Digital News Association for EIJ 2011. Two years later, The National Association of Hispanic Journalists joined the mix.

“For me, it was a real awakening to the power of having multiple groups of journalists come together for a single convention,” Albarado said. “The energy level was just really off the charts.”

NAHJ is leaving next year and the Native American Journalists Association is scheduled for the first time. Chris Vachon, SPJ associate executive director, said the joint effort saves everyone money. Organizations save by splitting costs, which results in lower registration fees for attendees.

The combined approach also allows both exhibitors and speakers to reach large crowds without constantly traveling to smaller events, Vachon said. The name itself was designed to allow for collaborations without committing to specific groups. “We needed to find something very generic because the vision was to bring more and more groups in,” Vachon said.

Albarado joined SPJ in 1979 and NAHJ in 2012. He focused on networking as an upcoming reporter, but now it’s more about catching up with friends. “They work and live in other areas, so one of the few times I get to see them is at this convention,” he said. He enjoys “spreading the Gospel of SPJ” and fostering Hispanic representation in the media as a member of NAHJ.

“I’m just happy that we are able to join more than one organization and yet come together at the same conference to be able to meet and greet and get educated,” Albarado said.

Link: http://www.eijnews.org/2015/09/20/combining-forces-to-advance-eij/

[eijnews]

EIJ to expand multi-cultural presence at next year's conference

Rebecca Landsberry, Executive Director of NAJA (Courtesy: Rebecca Landsberry)

The Native American Journalists Association (NAJA) is teaming up with the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) for the first time during the Excellence In Journalism conference next year.

One major factor in the decision to partner with EIJ16 came about when it was announced that UNITY: Journalists for Diversity conference would not gather next year.

“UNITY was a great teaming of all the diversity organizations,” said Rebecca Landsberry, executive director of NAJA. “This [EIJ] was kind of a natural fit for us.”

Many of NAJA’s journalists deal with a different set of challenges on the job. Most Native American publications are owned by tribes, and therefore Native American journalists may not have access to free press.

“That’s probably the main thing that distinguishes Native media as far as the challenges go,” said Landsberry. “Reporters may be controlled by their tribal governments and may not be able to report on the things that are important to the Native community because of that hold.”

Members of other groups think it’s important to learn about problems that other cultures face, and EIJ gives them a place to do that.

“As a journalist, the more you know and the more you can understand, the better off you are,” said Joe Skeel, executive director of SPJ.

Skeel said that every year when a different group is featured, there’s some fear mixed in with the excitement of learning something new.

“I think it’s going to be great for our members who work in those areas to get some exposure to things they’ve never had before,” he said.

NAJA comes with a membership of 500 people, and its’ numbers have doubled since 2013. Skeel said that bringing more people to the conference offers more opportunity for networking and support.

“Let’s be honest, it’s a pretty tough industry,” he said. “When you come to a conference like this, and you see 1,500 people who are like you, it’s almost like a support network.”

  The 2016 EIJ Conference will be held at the Sheraton New Orleans.

Link: http://www.eijnews.org/2015/09/19/eij-to-expand-multi-cultural-presence-at-next-years-conference/

[eijnews]

The Origins of "Excellence in Journalism"

It’s become an annual pilgrimage, every fall, for journalists and media industry professionals from across the globe to come together. All in the name of ‘Excellence in Journalism,” ready to recruit new hires, learn valuable skills, and discuss the current issues at the forefront of the media industry.

But where did “Excellence in Journalism” come from?

For years prior to the first Excellence in Journalism conference, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) held an annual conference for its’ members. In 2010 the organization combined forces with the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to hold a joint conference annually beginning in 2011.

“The idea was that it would be an umbrella conference, so eventually other groups would come in like NAHJ has. Next year the Native American Journalists Association is joining us” said SPJ Director of Education Scott Leadingham.

In order to find a brand that could be used for every conference, not just 2011, a contest was held and the name “Excellence in Journalism” was born. The National Association of Hispanic Journalists joined the conference in 2013, and return once again this year in Orlando.

“Groups can come and go as they need depending on the location and their needs,” said Leadingham.

Link: http://www.eijnews.org/2015/09/18/the-origins-of-excellence-in-journalism/