2011 September — AEJMC Hot Topics

Federal court ruling provides a victory for grassroots journalism

September 30, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

From Jason Stverak on OJR, Sept. 29, 2011 – Last month, a federal court ruled that recording public officials, including police officers, is protected by the First Amendment. This decision, which may outrage law enforcement officials and members of Congress, is one of the first federal court decisions that brings the First Amendment into the Internet age.

This case emerged from an incident where a private citizen used his personal cell phone to capture alleged police brutality.

Simon Glik could have walked away when he saw two police officers punching a man in the face. Instead, he pulled out his cellphone and started recording it. When Mr. Glik informed the police officers that he was recording audio, the officer arrested him for violating the state’s wiretap law. He also was charged with disturbing the peace and aiding the escape of a prisoner. The charges were dropped eventually because of lack of merit, but Mr. Glik filed a lawsuit claiming his free-speech rights had been violated.

This latest ruling is especially relevant to those who consider themselves citizen journalists. Before the court’s decision, members of the general public did not have the legal protection guaranteed by state shield laws enjoyed by credentialed journalists.

Read the full article on OJR

Filed Under: News Tagged With: citizen journalism, First Amendment, free speech, OJR

When j-schools bring journalism & computer science students together

September 30, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

By Jacqueline Marino and Jeremy Gilbert on Nieman Reports, Sept. 12, 2011 – It used to be that calling a journalist a “hack” was considered an insult. Now, tack on “-er” and more than likely the reporter will be flattered. Today tech-savvy journalists are mapping stories, figuring out new ways to share mobile-based news, and changing how investigative reporters gather and analyze their information. This expanding digital landscape for news, especially the significance of data and the promise of mobile, means that computer programming is becoming yet another skill to be taught in journalism classes.

The key question is how to teach these skills in the context of journalism. Who should learn the technical skills of a hacker? What skills do journalists need to master? How do we partner those who are tech savvy with those eager to learn reporting? Experiments abound—from computer science/journalism master’s programs to scattered courses in “multimedia programming”—and no one has figured out yet what works best.

As professors at different journalism schools and with varied backgrounds, each of us has taught in classrooms with a mix of computer science and journalism students, who have collaborated in learning how to dig into data in educational environments long dominated by story. Here, we tell how we did it, what we’ve learned so far, and where we’re headed.

Read the full post on Nieman Reports

Filed Under: News Tagged With: computer science, higher education, journalism schools, Nieman Reports

AEJMC Mentor Program

September 29, 2011 By AEJMC 1 Comment

The 2012 AEJMC conference holds great promise as we celebrate the organization’s centennial anniversary. The Chicago conference is expected to draw a large number of participants including many first time conference attendees.

For many first time conference participants, the experience may seem overwhelming at times. Some people may be unclear what a poster session is and how it may be different than a scholar to scholar session (it is not). Many are not sure about which social they may attend and what the best strategies are for meeting new people.

During the 2011 conference in Saint Louis, the membership committee of AEJMC decided to establish an exciting new mentorship program that aims to welcome and acclimate first time conference attendees.

The idea behind the mentorship program is to match veteran conference goers with first time attendees. We hope that as a mentor, you will help introduce the newcomers to the conference, explain some of the key concepts and help them find their way around by introducing them to other members.

If you would like to serve as a mentor, please email the membership chair of the division or interest group that you are most active in. We will ask the membership chairs to help us with the matching process.

If you have any questions about the mentorship program or would like more information, please feel free to email me at gjgolan@syr.edu or any of the other membership committee members.

We are all very excited about the mentorship program and we hope that you will participate in it.

Sincerely,

Guy J. Golan
AEJMC, Membership Committee Chair
Syracuse University

Filed Under: News Tagged With: AEJMC, Mentoring

From the LA Times – On the Media: No paper might mean no news

September 28, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

By James Rainey on Latimes.com, Sept. 28, 2011 – Want to get under a newspaper person’s skin? Tell them you don’t need their work because you get most of your news from the Internet.

Inky survivors can’t stand to hear that because they know that — technological advances and upstart websites notwithstanding — the bulk of news on the Web actually still originates with newspaper reporters.

But it turns out that the audience doesn’t merely fail to recognize who produces most local news. Even those who do give credit to their local paper don’t express particular concern about finding an alternative if their paper goes away, a new and detailed survey of community news consumption habits shows.

Americans turn to their newspapers (and attendant websites) on more topics than any other local news source, according to a survey released this week by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism. But, despite their own reading habits, more than two-thirds told pollsters that if their hometown paper disappeared, it would not seriously hurt their ability to keep up with the news.

Read the full article on the LA Times

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Internet, LA Times, News, Newspapers, Pew Internet and American Life

Pew Internet & American Life Project: How people learn about their local community

September 26, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

From the Pew Internet Research site, Sept. 26, 2011 – Citizens’ media habits are surprisingly varied as newspapers, TV, the internet, newsletters, and old-fashioned word-of-mouth compete for attention. Different platforms serve different audience needs. A detailed and interactive chart spelling out which local information sources people rely on for different topics is available here.

About the Study
The results in this report are based on data from telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from January 12 to 25, 2011, among a sample of 2,251 adults, age 18 and older. Telephone interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by landline (1,501) and cell phone (750, including 332 without a landline phone). For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling is plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

Go to the Pew site to view the study or to download it

Filed Under: News Tagged With: local news, Pew Internet and American Life, Survey

Twitter, Facebook and Co. – good for teens and the First Amendment?

September 21, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

From the Knight Foundation website: MIAMI, (Sept. 16, 2011) – While social media have been blamed for teen ills from narcissism to cyberbullying, a new study offers an inspiring perspective: as social media use has grown in the United States, so has students’ appreciation for the First Amendment. The national study was released today to coincide with the celebration of Constitution Day. It was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

The national study was released today to coincide with the celebration of Constitution Day. It was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

“This is the first generation in history that can text, tweet and blog to the whole world – it’s great news that their support is growing for the freedoms that let them do it,” said Eric Newton, senior adviser to the president of Knight Foundation. “But the bad news is that teachers aren’t nearly as excited as students about social media or student freedom.”

The Future of the First Amendment study found:

Both social media use and First Amendment appreciation are growing among high school students. More than three-quarters of students use social media several times a week to get news and information. Meanwhile, the percentage of students who believe “the First Amendment goes too far” in protecting the rights of citizens has dropped to a quarter (24 percent) in 2011 from nearly half (45 percent) in 2006.
There is a clear, positive relationship between social media use and appreciation of the First Amendment. Fully 91 percent of students who use social networking daily to get news and information agree that “people should be allowed to express unpopular opinions.” But only 77 percent of those who never use social networks to get news agree that unpopular opinions should be allowed.
Still, many teachers believe social media harms education. Most teachers also do not support free expression for students. Only 35 percent, for example, agree that “high school students should be allowed to report controversial issues in their student newspapers without the approval of school authorities.” In addition, teachers are more inclined to think that the emergence of the newest forms of digital media have harmed (49 percent) rather than helped (39 percent) student learning.

“For many, the First Amendment is an abstract concept, but this new study tells us that social media bring the importance of free speech home to young Americans,” said Ken Paulson, president of the First Amendment Center. “The vibrancy of worldwide communications today, fueled by social media and engaged users, is in effect exporting First Amendment values to a new and global generation.”

The study, conducted through interviews with 12,090 students and 900 teachers nationwide, was written by Dr. Kenneth Dautrich, a senior researcher at The Pert Group. It is the fourth Future of the First Amendment study done by Dr. Dautrich for Knight Foundation since 2004.

Madison Davis, a senior at Branham High School in San Jose, Calif. who took the survey, says she thinks using Facebook several times a day has given her a greater appreciation for the First Amendment and freedom of expression.

“It has taught us early on that we have a right to say whatever we want without worrying,” Madison said. “Because we have an easier outlet to express our views, we’re more likely to. All it takes is going online and typing in a post and we’ve already expressed ourselves to 400 plus people.”

Alexander Richter, a senior at Branham Senior High School, says expressing himself on social media makes him more likely to do the same in person.

“If you can go on Facebook and easily post your opinion, you appreciate your rights to do it in a protest or outside of the Internet more,” Alexander said. He recently found himself arguing online over national economic recovery plans, and felt more confident to make his case the next day in school.

“I knew what I wanted to say, I was prepared to say it, and I was already attached to the issue because of Facebook.”

As a response to the survey findings, Knight Foundation and the First Amendment Center will release a teachers’ guide to social media and the First Amendment as a way to foster discussion and appreciation for both. The guide will be unveiled at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. on Dec 15, in celebration of the Bill of Rights’ birthday.

For more information about activities celebrating the First Amendment, follow the First Amendment Center’s 1 for All campaign on Twitter @1forAllus.

For more on the Future of the First Amendment Survey, visit knightfoundation.org.

About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. The foundation believes that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more, visit KnightFoundation.org.

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Contacts:

Marc Fest, Vice President/Communications, (305) 908-2677, fest@knightfoundation.org

See also previous years of FoFA research: 2007 Report | 2006 Report | 2004 Report.

Read the article on the Knight Foundation website

Filed Under: News Tagged With: cyberbullying, First Amendment, Knight Foundation, Social Media

Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research Presented to Dr. Sharon Dunwoody

September 21, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication is proud to honor Dr. Sharon Dunwoody, University of Wisconsin-Madison, with the Paul J. Deutschmann Award for Excellence in Research.

Dr. Dunwoody received the award at the AEJMC annual conference in St. Louis in August. The award is named in honor of Paul J. Deutschmann who played a pivotal role in the movement to study journalism and mass communication scientifically. Dunwoody is the first female recipient of the award.

Dr. Dunwoody is faculty affiliate of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is the author/coauthor of more than 50 peer-reviewed articles and has authored/edited five books. She is a former president of AEJMC, a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Midwest Association for Public Opinion Research, and the Society for Risk Analysis. Dunwoody is also the chair-elect of the AAAS Section on General Interest in Science and Technology.

Dr. Dunwoody earned a BA in journalism at Indiana University, her MA in mass communication from Temple University, and a Ph.D. in mass communication from Indiana University.

About the Paul J. Deutschmann Award
This non-annual award is named in honor of Paul J. Deutschmann, who was a central force in the movement to study journalism and mass communication scientifically. He helped establish and develop the College of Communication Arts at Michigan State University, and served as director of its Communications Research Center. This award is presented by the AEJMC Elected Standing Committee on Research.

About AEJMC
AEJMC is a nonprofit, educational association of some 3,700 journalism and mass communication educators, students, and media professionals from across the globe. The Association’s mission is to advance education in journalism and mass communication to the end of achieving better professional practice, a better informed public, and wider human understanding. For more about AEJMC visit www.AEJMC.org.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: AEJMC, Deutschmann Award, Dunwoody

Texas State University School Wins AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award

September 21, 2011 By AEJMC Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication is proud to award the 2011 AEJMC Equity and Diversity Award to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University.

The AEJMC Equity & Diversity Award recognizes outstanding progress and innovation in racial, gender, and ethnic equity and diversity. Nominations outline a program’s efforts over the previous three years in hiring and recruitment, status of current faculty, academic climate and institutionally embedded support.

One of the School’s main diversity programs called The Center, or El Centro, was developed in response the growing Latino population and Latino-oriented media in the United States. The Center “generates research and knowledge about Latino-oriented media, markets, and the new multicultural America” and aims “to be the driving engine of a series of complementary activities that enhance the academic, professional, and business opportunities related to Latino-oriented media and Latino markets,” according to its website.

Dr. Federico Subervi, Director of The Center, said that recognition from the award is part of a “team effort” that reflects the spirit of the entire school.

“This award is demonstrable – and powerful – evidence of the positive effect of having made the investment in the Latinos & Media Markets Center,” says Dr. Tom Grimes, a journalism and mass communication professor at Texas State. “The Center is well known nationally. I hear about it a lot from colleagues at other places. Clearly its gravitational force had a lot to do with this.”

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University is accredited by ACEJMC and is one of the largest journalism and mass communication programs in the state of Texas – and the nation.

Recognition of the award was given at the 2011 AEJMC Conference in St. Louis. A second presentation will take place at the Texas State University later in the academic year. The AEJMC President will travel to Texas State University to present the award in a ceremony honoring the school’s outstanding achievements in equity and diversity.

About Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication
The Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a nationally accredited curriculum that introduces students to the broad framework of mass communication, emphasizing what is common and fundamental to advertising, print journalism, public relations and the electronic media. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication commits itself to the preparation of mass media professionals in advertising, print, the electronic media and public relations. For more information about the Texas State University School of Journalism and Mass Communication visit www.masscomm.txstate.edu.

About AEJMC
AEJMC is a nonprofit, educational association of some 3,700 journalism and mass communication educators, students, and media professionals from across the globe. The Association’s mission is to advance education in journalism and mass communication to the end of achieving better professional practice, a better informed public, and wider human understanding. For more about AEJMC visit www.AEJMC.org.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: AEJMC, equity and diversity award, Texas State University