Category Archives: News

Column: Racine case shows folly of official secrecy

Steve Lovejoy
Secrecy in government, compounded by court-ordered secrecy, gives rise to speculation and rumor. That never serves the public interest. A case involving Racine City Attorney Scott Letteney and Racine Alderperson Sandy Weidner illustrates that very well. Last August, the city attorney sought an ethics violation sanction against the alderperson for... - MORE -

Retired WITI consumer watchdog dies

Tom Hooper - Credit Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A man known for being a consumer watchdog for Milwaukee area viewers has died. Tom Hooper worked in local news for 35 years, mostly as the watchdog reporter for WITI-TV. He died Oct. 19 in Georgia. He was 85. Hooper’s reports changed Wisconsin, leading to changes in laws dealing with... - MORE -

Wisconsin FOIC marks 40 years of protecting openness

The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council held an event Tuesday at the State Capitol to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The Council and its supporters gathered in the Assembly Parlor to hear about the beginnings of the Council and the many efforts it has taken over the years to promote openness... - MORE -

Brooks leaving WTMJ-AM for San Francisco

Eric Brooks
WTMJ-AM Director of Programming and News Eric Brooks is leaving Milwaukee for San Francisco. Brooks will be Assistant News Director at News Radio KCBS San Francisco. Brooks was at WTMJ for eight years and is credited with making countless contributions to the station. Most recently, he designed and oversaw the... - MORE -

Watch panel discussion about threats against broadcasters

A panel discussion at the Broadcasters Clinic talked about the safety of broadcasters and journalists in light of new threats. The panel discussion titled “Personal Safety in Today’s Broadcasting Environment” was led by WLUK-TV News Director and WBA Board member Juli Buehler. The panel included RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley,... - MORE -

Celebration marks 40 years of advocating for openness

The Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council is celebrating 40 years of advocating for openness in government with a celebration at the State Capitol next Tuesday. The celebration is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Assembly Parlor in the Wisconsin State Capitol. The event will feature speakers and the unveiling of... - MORE -

Open letter to journalists following Wednesday’s terrorist incidents

The following open letter from RTDNA Executive Director Dan Shelley was published Wednesday afternoon. Terrorist incidents such as those that have targeted CNN’s offices in New York City, current and former public officials, and political activists are inexcusable, reprehensible and, unfortunately, frightening. Now more than ever, we – the men... - MORE -

NAB releases toolkit for reporting on religion

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and the NAB Education Foundation this week released its new Reporting on Religion toolkit. The website provides guidelines and recommendations for local radio and television station newsrooms, as well as journalism students, for covering religion and/or faith-based stories and issues. The online line toolkit... - MORE -

Journalists host post-election discussion in Madison

The Madison chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is partnering with UW-Madison’s Center for Journalism Ethics to host a panel discussion Nov. 7 on journalism ethics and the challenges of covering politics in highly polarized times. The event — which is free and open to the public — will... - MORE -