SPJ Media Alert

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2001

ATTENTION:News editors, Business editors, Feature editors,
Photo editors, Assignment desks, Calendar listings

CONTACTS:
Sarah A. Shrode, SPJ Director of Communications, 425/452-4846 or sshrode@spj.org

Sessions on How Trauma Changes the Journalist, SPJ Elections and more

WHAT
2001 Society of Professional Journalists National Convention

WHEN
Thursday, Oct. 4; Friday, Oct. 5; Saturday, Oct. 6

WHERE
DoubleTree Hotel – Bellevue
300 112th Ave., S.E.
Bellevue, WA 98004

SATURDAY, OCT. 6, EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

7:30 a.m.
SPJ Sunshine and First Amendment Awards Breakfast – The Society of Professional Journalists recognizes Sunshine and First Amendment award recipients. First Amendment Award winners are The Independent Florida Alligator, Bruce Orwin and Laura Cullen. Sunshine Award winners include Sen. Charles Grassley, Sen. Charles Schumer and Wyoming Attorney General Gay Woodhouse.
Room: Evergreen Ballroom - Idylwood, Fairweather, Bellefield

9 a.m.
SPJ Main Business Session and Election – SPJ’s chapter delegates will select the 2001-2002 SPJ board of directors and vote on convention resolutions.
Room: Evergreen Ballroom - Idylwood, Fairweather, Bellefield

9 – 10:15 a.m.
New Session
Behind the Scenes of “Local News” – “Local News is an unprecedented, five-part documentary series that depicts one television station’s efforts to lift its news ratings out of third place – while simultaneously improving its journalistic standards. It is a surprisingly uncensored, behind-the-scenes look at WCNC-TV, the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, N.C. The series follows the daily drama of reporters, news managers and community members struggling to find a better way for local TV to impart the news. In the process, it creates a portrait of sincerity and hard work in an ongoing tug of war with commercial mandates – a contest in which there are few clear villains and many victims.” – an excerpt from the official PBS description of the series, “Local News.”
Room: Glendale Meeting Room

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Revised Session
How Trauma Changes the Story – and the Journalist – Trauma impacts everyone at the scene of a tragedy, from victims to journalists. University of Washington acting students bring the scene to life and panelists offer tips on how journalists can care for themselves and colleagues in a violent situation. Jim Plante, past national president of SPJ and a former reporter, producer and network news executive, was in the middle of Ground Zero at New York’s World Trade Center at 8:28 a.m. on Sept. 11. Plante, chief of the Public Information Office of the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, was attending the National Association of Business Economist’s annual meeting. Hear his perspective of the events that transpired, both as a trained journalist and a victim.
Room: Lakehills Meeting Room

Noon
Mark of Excellence Awards Luncheon Honoring Outstanding Student Journalism – Winners of SPJ's 2000 Mark of Excellence Awards will be honored during this banquet. Featured speaker is Geneva Overholser, Hurley Chair in Public Affairs Reporting, Missouri School of Journalism, and nationally syndicated columnist with The Washington Post.
Room: Evergreen Ballroom - Idylwood, Fairweather, Bellefield

2:30 p.m.
SPJ PROJECT WATCHDOG - News Councils: A Need or Nuisance? – A panel will discuss the role of news councils as an arena for holding news media accountable. Members will discuss the positives and negatives of news councils.
Location: Best Western Bellevue Inn, 11211 Main St., Bellevue, Wash. (Adjacent to the DoubleTree Hotel)
Room: Lake Washington Ballroom

7 p.m.
SPJ President's Installation Banquet – Al Cross, political writer and columnist for The Courier-Journal in Louisville, will take his position as SPJ President, and the organization will present its annual awards for service to SPJ.
Room: Evergreen Ballroom - Idylwood, Fairweather, Bellefield

ABOUT SPJ: The Society of Professional Journalists works to improve and protect journalism. The organization is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

-END-

MEDIA PASSES: Media passes for events at the Oct. 4-6 2001 SPJ National Convention may be obtained at the convention's onsite SPJ Office at the DoubleTree Hotel – Bellevue, 300 112th Ave., S.E., Bellevue, Wash.

For more information or to obtain a media pass, contact Sarah A. Shrode, SPJ Director of Communications, at sshrode@spj.org or at the convention's onsite SPJ Office.