Category Archives: News

Free training to help journalists improve source diversity

The Madison Chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists is hosting a free training session on April 21 to help journalists improve their source diversity. The session will be led by WPR’s Hannah Haynes. Learn more: Local journalists are invited to learn how to conduct a source audit to assess the range of voices featured… – MORE –

Column: Record location fees invite abuses

It happens all the time.  A member of the public or representative of the press will file a request under Wisconsin’s open records law, which applies to all state and local government entities. But instead of records, the requester gets a bill. “The city will require pre-payment in full before we begin fulfilling your request,” read… – MORE –

Training for journalists teaches de-escalation

Heated situations involving journalists are more common right now which is why RTDNA is offering training on verbal de-escalation. The training includes a one-sheet, five principles of verbal de-escalation, and tip and tricks. You can find the training here.

Free session for journalists will discuss vaccinate hesitancy

Poynter is offering a free session on Wednesday about what journalists need to know about vaccine hesitancy: Mass vaccination is the key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic. So why are approximately 40 percent of Americans not planning to be vaccinated? What role do journalists play in convincing people they should? Tune in for our next… – MORE –

Words matter in talking about incarcerated people

Poynter is offering a free training session to challenge journalists to think more critically about the language you used to describe incarcerated people in your reporting. A one-hour webinar titled “The Words We Use to Cover Criminal Justice, Jails and Prisons” and will be held April 21 at 11 a.m. CT. The discussion will be… – MORE –

Help next generation of storytellers

The next generation of storytellers is on display on campuses across Wisconsin, and they want to learn from you.  That’s why we have the WBA Student Storytellers website. Students are posting their work in student media in hopes of getting comments from professional broadcasters. Check it out and leave some comments. Along with some recent… – MORE –

RTDNA kicks off campaign to pass Journalist Protection Act

The RTDNA is starting a campaign to call for the passage of the Journalist Protection Act (JPA). To kick off this campaign, we are gathering stories from our fellow journalists about why this legislation matters. If you have a story about how anti-journalist violence has impacted your work, we want to hear from you. Email… – MORE –

Course helps journalists build trust

A free self-guided course offered by Poynter is giving journalists tool to build trust with their communities.  Register free here: How Any Journalist Can Earn Trust It’s a self-paced course, which means you can learn on your own time. You also can pick and choose the sections you complete and decide what you want to focus… – MORE –

SPJ presents reporter’s algorithm guide, panel discussion

The Society of Professional Journalists released this announcement connected to Sunshine Week: As a part of Sunshine Week, the Society of Professional Journalists is publishing a “Reporter’s Guide to Algorithms,” which highlights examples of reporting on artificial intelligence and tips for how journalists can find similar stories on their beats. The guide was created by the SPJ Freedom of Information Committee.… – MORE –

AG Kaul calls for public bodies to remain accessible during pandemic

The Wisconsin Department of Justice under Attorney General Josh Kaul released a new advisory to public bodies regarding public meetings in the age of COVID-19 during Sunshine Week. To ensure that in-person meetings during the pandemic are reasonably accessible to the public, governmental bodies should keep the public health situation, guidance of public health professionals,… – MORE –