Category Archives: News

Survey: Newsrooms putting more effort into diversity

A survey by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications shows journalists are finding notable changes at their media organizations, including new training programs, hiring procedures and policies related to language used about communities of color. You can read more here.

Column: Local news deserves a break today

In recent years, the news business in Wisconsin has seen a lot of bad news. Dozens of newspapers have closed. Revenues are way down. Staffs are being trimmed. And “vulture” hedge funds are circling, threatening to pick clean the bones of this once robust industry. But there is at least one piece of good news:… – MORE –

Data shows increasing dangers for journalists

RTDNA is pointing out some important data that suggests that the job of journalist is getting more dangerous around the world. Here are the key facts highlighted by RTDNA contributor Michael Castengera: The number of journalists jailed for their work hit a global record in 2021. More female journalists were arrested globally in 2021 than… – MORE –

Local newsrooms examine long-term impacts of pandemic on classrooms

There’s no doubt that the pandemic affected the education of millions of children, and local newsrooms are being asked to help assess the extent of the problem. The Associated Press is launching a nationwide education reporting network. A full-time team at the AP will work with local newsrooms for the next two years to deepen… – MORE –

Effort promotes innovation in local news

The NAB’s Pilot program is seeking to promote innovation in local news in 2022.  Northeastern University’s School of Journalism and Media Innovation was a winner of the 2021 PILOT Innovation Challenge. Check out this article from Mike Beaudet from Northwestern about the innovation effort currently underway.

TMJ4, Marquette University partner on debates

Marquette University and TMJ4 News (WTMJ-TV) will co-host a series of televised political debates as Wisconsin voters prepare to go to the polls in three high-profile 2022 elections. The series of debates will focus on Milwaukee’s mayoral race as well as Wisconsin’s race for governor and U.S. Senate. Each debate will be moderated by TMJ4’s… – MORE –

Nominations sought for 2021 Opee Awards

The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, a nonprofit group that works to protect access to public meetings and records, is now accepting nominations for its annual Openness in Government Awards, or Opees. Awards are given in six categories: Popee (political openness award): Recognizes extraordinary service to the cause of open government by an elected or… – MORE –

Series of journalism sessions available for viewing

Your WBA is offering members free training from Poynter to help you sharpen your journalism skills.   Did you miss this recent series of live webinars? The recordings are available now free for WBA members.   Find them here: Reporting on Deaths by Suicide Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United… – MORE –

Newsrooms making use of AI technology

An online presentation on Jan. 12 at 1 .m. CT will explain how newsrooms are using emerging AI technology. Here’s more: Join leaders from the Associated Press’s Local News AI program for this webinar, where they will reveal initial findings to their national scorecard and share how U.S. local radio and TV newsrooms view artificial… – MORE –

Column: A primer on how to obtain public records

Every time an elected official sends an email, it becomes a public record. When an employee at a government agency makes a purchase, that transaction is the public’s business. Whenever a permit or license is issued by a government authority, this is information you should be able to obtain. These records, which include everything from… – MORE –