Defending press freedom for student journalists at WWU

To use a metaphor that sports writers may jibe me for: some of my peers at Western Washington University seem to view college not as the season opener to adult life, but as merely a scrimmage. “Sure, we’re doing the same things, but they don’t affect our record right now.”

It sounds implausible that members of the digital generation who document their lives on social networks would delude themselves that way. But let’s forget about Facebook’s bottomless memory and humor them for a moment, because they almost had a major impact on our school’s interpretation of the First Amendment.

On Oct. 26, the Student Senate at Western introduced a resolution that would have allowed sources to back-edit Western publications’ content. It proposed that students or alumni featured in a publication could, one to 10 years later, tell the publication to delete the content and wipe it from the online archives.

I’m guessing most people reading this are journalists. While you folks pick your jaws up off the floor or try to control your incredulous laughter, I’ll explain the reasoning behind the proposal. (more…)

Posted in Students, Uncategorized | Tagged journalism, Students, WWU | Leave a comment

JOB POSTING: Blogger/editor post for the Common Language Project

This is a pretty sweet job posting from AAJA Seattle friends the Common Language Project.

Check out the details below!
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Paid Blogger/Editor at the Common Language Project

Who We Are:
The Common Language Project is an award-winning multimedia journalism nonprofit based at the University of Washington. We’re looking to expand our site and sharpen our brand by starting a blog to complement the long form, multimedia journalism that we currently specialize in.

Seattle is a small city with a big worldview and tons of diversity. We want to develop a blog that provides a fun, interesting and unexpected take on travel, international development, Seattle’s global/local connection and our region’s diverse communities. 

We’re thinking travel writing from a Northwest perspective, restaurant reviews, event calendars, photo slideshows of happenings in the international community, international nonprofit news, interviews with globe-trotting Seattleites and any other awesome story you can think of.

Who We’re Looking For:
The ideal candidate is independent, entrepreneurial, funny, creative, globally aware and connected to diverse communities here in the Puget Sound region. You need to be interested in marketing, design, multimedia (especially photography) and web publishing (as well as a little social networking and event planning). But above all we want a curious reporter and a strong writer (comfortable with a quick turnaround) willing to put their energy behind an ambitious startup.

The Position:
$750 per month (negotiable) for 3-5 blog posts a week plus some graphic design, web maintenance and editing guest posts; you will also be responsible for developing the blog’s launch plan and marketing strategy. Recruiting sponsors/ad sales will be expected as well, but will include opportunities for greater compensation on a commission basis. This is a nine-month contract position with the possibility of extension.

If interested, send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to jessica@clpmag.org above by September 30th, 2011 at 5PM. More info: www.clpmag.org/submissions.php .

Posted in Job Postings, Members | Tagged blogging, Common Language Project, Job Postings, journalism | Leave a comment

RSVP for AAJA dim sum, July 9

Come eat, talk and eat some more at our next chapter business meeting! Help shape the chapter’s programs and get some cool swag.

WHEN: 10:30 am – Noon, Saturday, July 9
WHERE: Bamboo Village, 4900 Stone Way N., Wallingford (Seattle)

We’ll be discussing the chapter’s plans for the summer and fall, as well as board elections and the National Convention. We welcome your ideas and involvement in our mission to support the next generation of journalists.

Please RSVP by 5 pm FRIDAY to Sanjay Bhatt, sbhatt@seattletimes.com. Thanks!

Posted in Events, Members, News | Tagged Features, journalism, Members, networking | Leave a comment

SPJ continuing education series – final spring workshop on May 9

Beyond Google: Exploring the Visible and Invisible Web
MONDAY, MAY 9, 7 p.m., Seattle Times Auditorium
Sponsored by the Western Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Free for SPJ and AAJA members, $10 for non-members. Free pizza included!

Go beyond Google searches and learn to get the most from the Web. This session will cover what reporters, editors and students need to know. From better search techniques to delving into the deep, invisible Web, how to find documents or background people on deadline, track historic content and where to find reliable sites for enterprise stories. The craft of better searching and not wasting time.

Presenter:

• Cheryl Phillips, Seattle Times data enterprise editor and former president of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)
• Alex Johnson, reporter, msnbc.com

The Seattle Times is located at 1120 John St., Seattle, WA  98109. Free parking is available in the visitor’s lot across the street.

Please RSVP to Hilary Reeves, hilary.j.reeves@gmail.com prior to the class.

See you there!

Posted in Events, Members, Students | Tagged Events, journalism, SPJ, training | Leave a comment

EARLY CAREER JOB OPENING: 3-year reporting residency at The Seattle Times

Just in time for graduation, a prime job opportunity has come up.

The Seattle Times is now accepting applications for a 3-year reporting residency position:

The Seattle Times has an opening for a three-year reporting resident designed for beginning journalists with some professional experience. The program gives journalists a range of newsroom experiences, plus on-the-job training and development. We’re looking for someone who’s shown an ability to find and break news, write engaging feature and enterprise stories, and shown a passion for watchdog journalism. Strong digital and multimedia skills are a plus.

Residents will receive a development plan and regular feedback, and be assigned a mentor.

Applicants must have graduated by the time the residency begins. Applicants must have had some successful internships at news organizations and/or a year or two professional experience at daily newspapers or other media organizations. Applicants must have a car.

If  you’re interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, the names of three references familiar with your work and 5 – 10 samples of your reporting work  Applicants must have a car. Please post your application materials to the following site:  https://www.smartrecruiters.com/seattletimescompany

The Seattle Times is a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, recognized as one of the best in the country. At The Seattle Times, your work matters. We are a family-owned-and-operated company, dedicated to the community we serve. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package. The Times is a drug-free workplace and equal opportunity employer.  Learn more about our company at seattletimescompany.com.

This position, which is aimed at those with less than 2 years of experience, has been a career jumping-off point for several  AAJA Seattle members including past AAJA National President Sharon Chan. She is a good source for any questions and  can be reached at schan@seattletimes.com.

Chan recommends applying for the position by May 6.

 

 

 

 

Posted in Job Postings, Members, News | Tagged career, early career, job opening, journalism, Members, reporting, Sharon Chan, The Seattle Times | Leave a comment