Monthly Archives: May 2020

The deadline for a fellowship for photographers is coming Monday, June 1.

The Rick Jowett Fellowship was established in 2017 by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation to support educational opportunities for photographers and videographers who work in media in Wisconsin.

Recipients of the fellowship can use the grant for professional development in the areas of photography and videography. Applicants must specify how the funds will be used.

Potential uses include but are not limited to courses offered by the National Press Photographers Association, the Poynter Institute, or any accredited college or university.

This fellowship intends to award a total of up to $2,000 in grants annually to multiple recipients to cover part or all of the recipients’ expenses.

Submission deadline is June 1. Apply here

About Rick Jowett

Rick grew up in a media family. His grandfather was CEO of Forward Communications which owned several television stations throughout the country. His family was also involved in the print media, the Wausau Herald. While in high school Rick began his career as a photographer working for the Wausau Herald.

Rick Jowett completed his degree in journalism (UW-Madison) in the late 70s. Following graduation, Rick started his career in broadcasting as a still photographer at WMTV-TV, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Rick began working with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association in 1985 as the Association’s event photographer. He served graciously and unconditionally until his passing.

With social distancing, it might be difficult for compassion to remain a priority in the newsroom.

Dr. Kortni Alston wrote for RTDNA about the importance of spreading compassion in newsrooms during the pandemic and after.

You can read her full article here, which includes a list of five simple strategies.

From Investigative Reporters and Editors:

Join IRE and the Maynard Institute on June 4 to discuss the importance of keeping newsrooms diverse during COVID-19.

You can register for the webinar here. 

Are you serious about making sure newsrooms and their work reflects the communities we cover? Especially as COVID-19 disproportionately affects historically marginalized people — and on the cusp of an election impacted by racism?

Earlier this year, the IRE Journal devoted an entire issue to diversity and inclusion in the investigative and data journalism space. It was spurred in part by a panel discussion at our 2019 national conference in Houston focused on helping retain journalists of color and others underrepresented in the field and which went viral on social media for its low attendance.

The IRE Journal issue’s centerpiece resurfaced some of what was missed in that Houston conference panel, and now we’re offering this webinar for journalists to come listen and ask questions of experts on what it’s really like for people working to keep journalism relevant in a changing nation by pushing for more inclusive newsrooms to meet the needs of their audiences and responsibilities as watchdogs.

Panelists include Maria Carrillo of the Tampa Bay Times; Julia B. Chan of KQED News, San Francisco; and Matt Thompson of Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Francisco Vara-Orta of IRE and Martin Reynolds of the Maynard Institute will moderate the discussion. 

The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the IRE website for those who cannot attend live. The webinar is free and available to members and non-members of IRE.

Time:  June 4, 2020 2 PM Eastern Time; 1 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Register here.

Dealing with COVID-19 is exhausting for most people, but when you work in the news business, taking a break from the coverage takes some extra effort.

RTDNA wrote this week about the importance about taking a break and offered some ideas for making it happen.

Timely advice for the holiday weekend. Have a great weekend and try to give yourself a well-deserved break.

Photojournalists have a unique challenge in covering stories in their communities while trying to remain safe during a pandemic. 

Covering the Story published this article from Deborah Potter explaining how photojournalists can stay safe.

The article includes examples and guidelines being used by other newsrooms.

The WBA announced Wednesday the recipients of the News Operation of the Year Awards. Here are the winning stations:

From Investigative Reporters and Editors:

Join IRE on Thursday to discuss how to best track stimulus money.

You can register for the webinar here.

The CARES Act is a $2 trillion stimulus bill with aid for workers and businesses, but the government hasn’t released many details about which businesses are receiving loans. Learn how reporters and watchdog organizations are tracking the dollars, and how their work can help you cover stimulus spending in your own community.

Panelists include Philip Mattera of Good Jobs First; Ben Popken of NBC News; and Cheryl W. Thompson of NPR. Doug Haddix and Lauren Grandestaff of IRE will moderate the discussion.

The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the IRE website for those who cannot attend live. The webinar is free and available to members and non-members of IRE.

Time: May 21, 2020 1 p.m. Central Time

Register here.

The WBA Awards for Excellence will be distributed in a series of virtual online presentations this week. The presentations on the WBA’s Facebook page will be streamed at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

After the last presentation on Thursday, the WBA will release the results from all the individual awards categories on its website.

You can learn more here. Take some time to celebrate your great work!

From Investigative Reporters and Editors:

Join IRE on Tuesday for a discussion on how to best find and talk to sources during a pandemic.

You can register for the webinar here. 

When you can’t take the best sourcing advice (get out of the office, meet with people in person, etc), how do you find and cultivate sources? Join this webinar to learn unique and innovative ways to get ahold of sources and convince them to talk.

Panelists include Nicole Carr of WSB; Laura Morel of Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting; and Beena Raghavendran of ProPublica. Bethany Barnes of the Tampa Bay Times and Denise Malan of IRE will moderate the discussion. 

The webinar will also be recorded and posted on the IRE website for those who cannot attend live. The webinar is free and available to members and non-members of IRE.

Time:  May 19, 2020 2 p.m. Central Time

Register here.

From SPJ:

The Society of Professional Journalists is now taking applications for its Journalists’ Emergency Fund created during the SPJ Day of Giving Back on April 30.

More than 200 donors, plus a significant matching gift from Craig Newmark Philanthropies, helped create a $40,000 fund to support journalists facing financial emergencies.

“SPJ is focused on supporting those journalists who have worked tirelessly every day to ensure that we all stay informed,” said SPJ National President Patricia Gallagher Newberry. “I encourage those in financial need during these difficult times to reach out to the Journalists’ Emergency Fund for support. It’s quick, easy and we hope you will find it helpful.” 

Journalists facing temporary hurdles due to job loss or income reduction may apply for funds up to $500 to help pay for everyday expenses such as rent, bills or groceries as they continue to seek employment. The grants do not need to be repaid.

“We hope these funds will help ease some of the burdens they face in these especially tough times,” said SPJ Foundation President Irwin Gratz. “This was the best way we could think of to show journalists that we support them, and we want to help get them back into their communities covering the stories that are important to their fellow citizens.”

Funding is available to both members and non-members of SPJ. A committee will make the selections and applicants will receive feedback within two weeks of submitting their information. All applicant information will be kept private.

Questions may be directed to emergencyfund@spj.org.