Monthly Archives: December 2018

RTDNA is taking a look back on 2018: The Year in Journalism.

RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley writes about attacks on journalists and signs that trust in the media is on the rise:

“Local television news is poised to maintain its position as the de facto leader in local news coverage, thanks to yearly increases in total revenue, stable employment, and relatively robust viewership numbers.”

Shelley said 2018 was a tough year for journalism, but he sees cause for hope. Read the full column here.

The WBA Newsroom will be off for the long weekend. We’ll be back on Jan. 2. Happy New Year!

The New York Times is out with it’s list of the top 18 media Grinches of 2018. The list highlights the year’s worst actors in the news media and anyone else who interfered with a free press.

The list includes politicians, media companies, and countries. Check it out here.

Let’s hope for a stronger free press in 2019.

It’s almost 2019 and if, like many, you’re looking to up your game in the new year, we’re got a place for you to start.

Poynter recently published it’s list of the top ten tools for journalism in 2018. Check it out here.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the list where you will also find 10 other links you should bookmark or share with a friend.

Happy New Year!

While many will be enjoying time with friends and family, we salute the broadcasters and journalists who will keep the lights on at newsrooms around Wisconsin over the holidays. THANK YOU!

We wish all newsrooms a happy holiday season and a safe, fulfilling, and news-filled new year!

Four on air personalities at three different Milwaukee TV stations have announced their departures.

WDJT-TV weekend anchor Jacob Kittlstad tweeted his goodbye on Wednesday that included some highlights:

Today is my last day at @CBS58 and I can’t help but reflect on all the sincerely fun moments I’ve had. From MMJing to anchoring to @RacineandMe – all of it gave me constant pride and pleasure. Enjoy a quick cut of some of the highlights 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/SfS7tZb8oi

— Jacob Kittilstad 📪 (@reporterjlk) December 19, 2018

Myra Sanchick announced Tuesday that Friday will be her last day after more than 30 years on the air. She was a reporter and anchor at WITI-TV and says she’s off to new challenges.

35 years. The time went fast with the happy moments. Agonizingly slow through tragedies. We’ve shared it all. I’ve been honored to meet so many. I will leave Fox6 and my awesome co-workers Friday. Off to new challenges hoping to make a difference pic.twitter.com/gszdxsqp1L

— Myra Sanchick (@myrasanchick) December 18, 2018

WITI anchor/reporter Beverly Taylor also announced her departure this week. She joined the station in 1997. She wants to pursue a career related to dispute resolution, which she just studied for a masters degree. Her last day was Wednesday.

After 21 years at Fox6 tomorrow is my last day on air. Recently I got my Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution and it’s time to pursue that field and a few other ventures. It will be hard to leave Fox6 and the wonderful people.Thank you to all who welcomed me into your homes.

— Beverly Taylor (@fox6bevtaylor) December 18, 2018

Finally, TaTiana Cash is leaving WTMJ-TV after four years as a reporter and traffic anchor.  her last day was Dec. 8.

If you haven’t heard already: It’s my last day @tmj4 I’ve learned so much from my 4 years here. From Traffic Anchor to Reporter. Where friends turn into family. Here is where I really… https://t.co/Jrk6vDLprs

— TaTiana Cash (@TaTianaCashTV) December 9, 2018

Representatives of the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council (FOIC) are meeting this week with Attorney General-Elect Josh Kaul and a representative of Governor-Elect Tony Evers.

The Council is highlighting cases of successful transparency in Wisconsin government and potential areas for improvement going forward. It is also updating the incoming officials about transparency issues they’re likely to be facing during their first year in office.

The Council representatives are advocating for openness when public officials meet and in sharing documents the public has a right to access.

The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and Wisconsin Newspaper Association are members of the Wisconsin FOIC.

The Poynter Institute has compiled a list of 33 notable media corrections from the previous year.

You can find the list here.

This is an annual tradition going back to 2013.

Some corrections are noted for their humor, but others are notable for the serious correction that had to be made.

The turn of the new year is a way to reflect on how to improve ourselves. This is a way to get some ideas for improvement without also having to live through the consequences.

A grant from CBS will allow media organizations to send staff to the “Workplace Integrity: Train the Trainers” workshops at the Newseum free of charge, including travel.

The training was designed by Loyola University Chicago’s Jill Geisler, a world-class leadership trainer and coach who is the Freedom Forum Institute Fellow in Women’s Leadership. She’s also a member of the WBA Hall of Fame.

Participants are trained to lead the sessions at home, with a complete kit.

Geisler said the goal is better workplace cultures, free of harassment and discrimination. She said she designed the curriculum to be interactive, engaging, and a dream for HR departments.

Learn more here.

It’s not uncommon for reporters to have difficulty getting access to public records, but if you get enough practice, you learn a lot of lessons along the way.

Tisha Thompson is one of those reporters. She recently shared her nine-point list of tips, which include a few steps to consider before filing a FOIA request and keeping a detailed log of your attempts to get access.

You can check out the full list here.