SPJ Convention all a-Twitter with new media and online journalism learning
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Random notes from the SPJ National Convention
which ending Sunday …
Some SPJ members may see the organization as
still being for a bunch of old newspaper dudes. You may think curmudgeons rule,
but you couldn’t tell that by attending the workshops and sessions in Atlanta.
“People are getting new media here
and loving it,” Molly
McDonough said. “I don’t get that back in my
newsroom.”
I would agree.
SPJ has kept its high-tech ambitions a secret
to some, however. That’s evident this
week, after SPJ’s Convention struggled with lower attendance, but the Online News Association, meeting this
week in Washington D.C. sold out in
advance.
Nevertheless, I didn’t talk to one person who
came to Atlanta already a devotee of online and new media who didn’t rave about
the conference and promise to return next year.
A few of the highlights:
Sree Sreenivasan on “Figuring Out Blogs &
Whatever’s Next” – Every journalist should have a blog and know how to use it.
Post often. And keep it short.
- “If you can’t sell it in six words, you can’t do it in
6,000,” he said.
Sreenivasan
had a handout of links, but its also
online.
Howard Owens on Reinventing Journalism,
included his 10
Things Journalists Can Do:
Among them:
- Include informed insight and
personal voice.
- Stop competing for scoops and awards
- Cover people not processes
- Be kinder.
- Be smarter.
- Emphasize accuracy, honesty, and transparency.
- Be the guide. Be the filter. There is a fire hose of
information. Help your readers find it.
Molly and I got a great reaction on our "60 web sites in 60
minutes".
- It included a showing of Facebook with this live update: “Molly is thinking Ron should pick it up a bit or we won't
get to 50.”
People picked
up Twitter for the first time and kept people updated on the convention
Want to find out what you missed? Or maybe
you were there and want to pick up some sessions you missed.
You can from two of my new friends:
Rene Gutel wrote some great blog posts about
the sessions she attended.
So did Jeff
Cutler
And as always, you can read the reports from
the talented students covering the convention on The
Working Press.
Don’t expect SPJ to retain its curmudgeonly image
forever. We’ve put together a Digital
Media Committee, which I’m co-chairing. You’ll see other of our members posting
here in the future.
After all, nearing its 100th birthday, SPJ is the
original social network for journalism.