Valuing a Free and Responsible Student News Media

My high school journalism teacher and I are Facebook friends.

Roger taught me a lot about journalism – and about life. I am who I am today, in part, because of what I learned in that classroom from Roger and from the hours I spent working on the newspaper.

But what happens when you can’t report the news as a student? How do you cultivate a free and responsible student news media? Those were the questions during a keynote session of the 2010 NFPW Conference in Chicago.

Barbara Thill resigned, as did several of the student newspaper staff, in the face of changes imposed on the Stevenson High School staff in Lincolnshire, Ill. The changes were imposed on the school’s journalism program after a controversial article on student sex life ran in the January 2009 Statemen.

Randy Swikle, Illinois director of the Journalism Education Association, noted, “School officials can’t censor just because they disagree” with the topic.

Despite the actions of the school, there are those who believe in scholastic journalism. The McCormick Foundation produced a booklet to inspire ethical protocol, improved communication and democratic learning among the stakeholders of scholastic journalism.

Among the functions of a student press as listed by Robert Dardenne, chair of the Department of Journalism and Media studies at the University of South Florida, are –

1)      To educate

2)      To inform

3)      To encourage discussion

4)      To share school culture

5)      To persuade

The booklet is a strong reminder of why we must value a free and responsible student news media.

To Roger and all the other student newspaper advisors, “Thank you!”

Libraries Open Doors

Attending the 13th Annual Library of Virginia Literary Awards last evening, I was struck by how each other talked about how libraries had influence them.

Whether it was opening new worlds of exploration or setting the stage for future writing careers, libraries were the cornerstone of everyone’s story.

Attending the awards feels good. I love books. I always have and hope I always will. So to be able to meet the authors whose works have swept me away is always a thrill. Last night I met Barbara Kingsolver. A great friend turned me onto her works many years ago. Her early works had a profound impact on my outlook.

“The Bean Trees,” which is described as “a story about love and friendship, abandonment and belonging, and the discovery of surprising resources in apparently empty places,” was an early favorite. More recently, I was riveted by “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” and this summer I embarked on my own journey to eat off the land. So I started my own garden.

Kingsolver was honored last night  for her newest book, “Lacuna.” And I was delighted to spend a few minutes chatting with her about my garden and its success. And I was overjoyed when she signed my book.

I also attend for inspiration. Adriana Trigiani hosted the evening. She continues to remind me to “just write.” She continues to encourage all of us writers to finish our projects. I attended with a friend who did finish her project. Julie Campbell’s “The Horse in Virginia: An Illustrated History,” is now on book shelves.

As a child, libraries opened the doors to whole new worlds. As an adult, I continue to find inspiration and friendship in my library.

Thank you Library of Virginia for an incredible evening.

Surviving a Bad Day of Work

Everyone has a bad day at work. It’s what you do with it that matters.

I wrote recently how I’m able to get much more completed at work because I’ve adjusted my attitude with respect to time. I now view time as a resource and so I’m not as frazzled. Even my team has commented that I appear more relaxed and energetic.

I’m a big environment person. By environment, I mean how my space feels. I spend a lot of time at the office so I’ve hung artwork on my walls. I bought a desk lamp for better lighting and ambience. I use a screensaver that makes me smile. All of these help me experience good days at work.

Credit: gotmyphilosophy

Here are some other tips that might help. I keep a bottle of water on my desk and drink it throughout the day (this after my Starbucks coffee!). Staying hydrated keeps me mentally alert. I try to get up and walk around so I’m not stationary at my desk. This also allows me to interact with my team and with other staff.

One of my colleagues worked hard on a presentation and after she gave it, she took time to leave the building and get some fresh air. She deserved that time and it was good to take a few moments to regroup.

What do you do to reduce the stress of work? Share your ideas. And if you need more, here is a US News & World Report on “50 Tips for Surviving your Worst Work Days.”

Providing a New Hire with a Successful First Day

I’ve hired several staff in the past few months. I’ve also provided opportunities for interns. The first day is critical to setting the stage for their success.

Here are some of the ways I help to start them on their path to success:

1)      Clean out the office or cubicle they will use. I take the time to discard old files, wipe down the surfaces and put a fresh tablet, pen and Post-It notes on their desk.

2)      Send an email prior to their arrival. Let others know when the person will start and what role they will play. Also share highlights of their background.

3)      Provide them with the needed tools. If possible, have their business cards ready, computer passwords set, voice mail activated.

4)      Take them to lunch. As a supervisor I want to spend time with my new employee in a relaxed setting. I don’t have new employees start if I will be out of the office.

5)      Provide an overview of the organization’s objectives and how the employee will support the achievement of them.

6)      Establish measures of success. Set goals and expectations early.

7)      Provide an orientation not only to your division but to other areas where the employee will interact. I find this is best done about two weeks into employment because they are assimilating a lot of information.

How do you ensure a successful first day for your new employee?

‘Pay to Play’ Author Shares Her Story

“If you are over 50 and someone offers you something that seems impossible, you should do it.”

That’s what Elizabeth Brackett, a correspondent and substitute host for WTTW 11’s nightly public affairs program “Chicago Tonight,” said she did when offered the opportunity to write a book.

Shortly after the FBI arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich at his home in Chicago on charges of attempting to sell President Barack Obama’s soon-to-be vacated Senate seat to the highest bidder, Brackett had a book contract from a local publisher.

She took six weeks to write the book, recycling old reporter’s notes and assigning new research. The result is “Pay to Play,” which traces the background of corruption in Illinois and the mindset of Blagojevich.

Having spent 30 years as a journalist in Chicago, Brackett said she still had difficulty writing the book. “I was writing like a journalist,” she told an audience during a keynote session of the 2010 NFPW Conference in Chicago. “That didn’t make for good copy.”

She took a month off from her job to write and research, which included reviewing all of the courtroom notes.  She was at the trial every day. In the end the jury was hung on 23 of the 24 counts. Blagojevich was found guilty of one count – lying to the FBI.

When asked what she thought about the case and trial, she said, “I think I can’t decide ‘Is this more than politics as usual?’ ”

“Did they [Blagojevich and his brother] take it to a criminal level?” she asked. “It’s still a question I have a hard time answering.”