SPJ Looking for Regional Director – Apply by June 18

SPJ Wants YOU … as our new regional director 

Region 11 SPJ members who may have said at least once, “If I ran SPJ, I would….” have the chance to put those ideas into action for a better Society.

Candidates are being sought to represent Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and the Pacific Islands on the SPJ national board of directors for a two-year term that begins this August. Regional directors should receive employer support, although SPJ pays each director an annual stipend of $1,000 for each of the two years for travel, hotel and certain other expenses.

The regional director is in contact with chapter presidents and the national headquarters to help chapters be the best they can be, supervises the annual Mark of Excellence Awards competition for college journalists and oversees the host chapter’s efforts to put on the annual spring regional conference.

Interested? Contact Lauren Bartlett of the Greater Los Angeles chapter at lauren.bartlett@sbcglobal.net or Mark Scarp of the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix) chapter at phoenixspj@cox.net.

In Memory: Terry Harper

It is with great sadness that SPJ/LA shares the news that Terry Harper, executive director of SPJ for seven years, lost his battle with brain cancer and died on June 2.

Terry was devoted to SPJ. An official announcement about Terry is posted at: http://www.spj.org/harper.asp

Terry started a blog two years ago when he was diagnosed with brain cancer. His final post is at: http://melonthump.blogspot.com/2009/06/final-thump.html

Terry is survived by his wife Lee Ann and sons Dale and Jace.

If you would like to help the family, you can make a contribution to the Harper Family Fund and/or the Terry Harper Memorial Fund. Send a check, payable to the “Harper Family Fund,” to:

Harper Family Fund
3909 N. Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208

Cards and letters of condolence may be sent to Terry’s family at:

680 Middle Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46201

Terry and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Blogging the Narco Wars

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Blogging the Narco Wars — June 3

SPJ/LA and the Los Angeles Library Foundation’s ALOUD Series present: Blogging the Narco Wars

Join the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Los Angeles Public Library for an in-depth talk with journalists from San Diego and Tijuana, as well as a long-time watchdog of border violence, to discuss how reporters are covering outbreaks of violence in connection to drug-smuggling in Tijuana.

The panelists will be:

Victor Clark Alfaro, Founder, Binational Human Rights Center in Tijuana

Vicente Calderon, Tijuana television reporter

Amy Isackson, reporter, KPBS San Diego

The event will be moderated by SPJ/LA board member Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, a reporter with KPCC 89.3 FM.

WHAT: Blogging the Narco-Wars

WHO: Victor Clark Alfaro, Founder, Binational Human Rights Center in Tijuana; Vicente Calderon, Tijuana TV reporter; Amy Isackson, border reporter, KPBS San Diego. Moderated by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, reporter, KPCC 89.3FM, SPJ/LA board member.

WHEN: 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009

WHERE: The Los Angeles Central Library’s Mark Taper Auditorium, 630 W 5th St., Los Angeles, CA 90071 http://www.lfla.org/aloud/visit.php

COST: Free, but reservations are highly recommended through the L.A. Public Library’s ALOUD Lecture Series. http://www.lfla.org/aloud/registration/

For more information, check o the library’s site at http://www.lfla.org/aloud/calendar/?month=06&year=2009&day=03.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to promoting high standards of ethical behavior and encouraging the free practice of journalism. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

Check out KPBS’s series on the issue here: http://www.kpbs.org/special-reports/border-battle/

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SPJ-LA’s Mammoth May Mixer – May 27

Take a trip back to Ice-Age Los Angeles at the Society of Professional Journalists’ Mammoth Mixer on Wednesday, May 27! Our guest will be John M. Harris, chief curator of the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits. He’ll be talking about the huge cache of fossils found near the museum that includes a nearly intact skeleton of a Columbian mammoth known as “Zed.”

 The mixer is free and open to all! Please let us know you’re coming by sending an e-mail to: spjlosangeles@gmail.com

 WHAT: SPJ-LA’s May Mixer

WHO: Our guest will be John M. Harris, chief curator of the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits.

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27

WHERE: We’ll meet in the back room at the Redwood Bar and Grill, 316 W. 2nd Street in downtown L.A; 213-680-2600. Street and lot parking is available in the area. The bar is close to the Civic Center Red Line Metro stop.

COST: It’s free fun for all! (You’ll have to buy your own drinks. Happy hour ends at 7 p.m. so get your drinks early!)

  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. To learn more about SPJ-LA, visit our Web site: spjla.wordpress.com

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Silent Auction Items

The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists will host a silent auction to raise money for chapter programs, including college scholarships. You can generously support SPJ/LA and journalism students on Wednesday, May 6, by bidding at the auction. Some of our fabulous auction items include: 

• Tickets to see the Los Angeles Dodgers

• A hike through Griffith Park with Los Angeles City Councilman Tom LaBonge

• Lunch with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley

• A collection of Sounds Eclectic, courtesy of KCRW 89.9 FM

• A private tour of the city’s historical landmarks with the Los Angeles Conservancy

• Framed photographs from the Los Angeles Times, including Luis Sinco’s “Marlboro Man”

• A one-of-a-kind photo of actor Robert Blake, taken by Nick Ut for The Associated Press

• Front pages from the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today that commemorate the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama

 

The auction will begin at 6 p.m. at the Omni Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. All items must be paid for with cash or check.

SPJ Calls For Openness, Access In Los Angeles Courtrooms

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists believes freedom of the press is of paramount importance in maintaining a fair and effective judicial system. Members of the media have a right to attend hearings that occur in open session and access lawsuits filed with the court.

We are concerned by reports that a lawsuit filed by Sharon Stone was inappropriately placed under seal and reporters were temporarily barred from attending a hearing for Redmond O’Neal. It is inappropriate to bar reporters from covering court matters for no other reason than that celebrities are involved.

In light of these recent incidents, SPJ-LA is calling for increased vigilance in ensuring access within the Los Angeles Superior Court. Efforts to limit openness will only undermine the public’s faith in the legal system.

With about 9,000 members, the Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to promoting high standards of ethical behavior and encouraging the free practice of journalism. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists and protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

How to Regain Your Career Without Losing Your Soul – April 29

In the continually shifting media landscape – and particularly in today’s brutal economy – more and more reporters and editors are finding themselves forced to contemplate or confront an unplanned and often unwanted change of career from professional journalism. Their skill set equips them for a variety of communications, research, political and advocacy work, but they may well be wondering how to retain and integrate into a post-journalism career the traditional SPJ values and ethics of openness and transparency, honesty and accuracy, accountability and responsibility that have been the foundation of modern professional journalism. 

The Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites the public to join in dialogue with a distinguished panel of former journalists to address these issues:

• Aaron Curtiss – member of Sitrick and Company strategic communications firm, former Los Angeles Times staff writer, editor, advertising manager, online-transition leader
   
• Laureen Lazarovici – Senior Communications Consultant with the Kaiser Permanente Labor-Management Partnership, former staff writer for Los Angeles Weekly, communications staff member for the AFL-CIO in Washington, DC, and United Nurses Association of California

• Allan Parachini – Public Information Officer, Los Angeles Superior Court; former Los Angeles Times staff writer; Director Of Public Affairs, ACLU-Southern California; Vice President For Communications for California Community Foundation
   
• Ted Rohrlich – researcher/investigator for Service Employees International Union Local 721, former staff writer and investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times

WHAT:            Panel Discussion: ”Journalism Ethics in a Post-Journalism World: How to Regain Your Career Without Losing Your Soul”

WHEN:            7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 29, 2009

WHERE:          Bradbury Room, Omni Hotel, 251 S. Olive St., Los Angeles

Directions:

http://www.omnihotels.com/FindAHotel/LosAngelesCaliforniaPlaza/MapAndDirections.aspx 

COST:              FREE! Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP:              RSVP: Seating is limited, so please let us know whether you’re coming by

Monday, April 24. E-mail to SPJLosAngeles@gmail.com or call (323) 259-3350.

PARKING: $12 valet available (east, enter on Olive St.), or limited meter parking on Grand Ave. (west).

Details about the event will be posted on our Web site, http://spjla.wordpress.com

SPJ/AAJA Mixer – March 28

PARTY LIKE IT’S 2009!

These are tough times for journalists. Whether you have a job or you’re looking for one, you probably need a drink. So, mark your calendar for Saturday, March 28 for good times at J Restaurant & Lounge in downtown LA!

The Society of Professional Journalists and the Asian American Journalists Association invite you to join journalists from throughout the Greater Los Angeles area for an evening of good food, drinks and conversation. The event is free and open to all journalists and FOJs (friends of journalists).

WHAT: SPJ/AAJA Mixer
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 28
WHERE: J Restaurant & Lounge; 1119 S. Olive St., Los Angeles. 213.746.7746
COST: Free! The appetizers are on us. You’ll have to buy your own drinks.
DRESS CODE: The restaurant requests guests wear business casual attire. No sneakers. No athletic gear.

RSVP: Please let us know you’re coming by Thursday, March 26. E-mail us at SPJLosAngeles@gmail.com or call (323) 259-3350.

Ethics and Entertainment Panel — March 25

Ethics and Entertainment

Come to the Beverly Hills Public Library on March 25 for a discussion on the ethical guidelines of reporting the arrests and legal battles of Hollywood’s biggest stars in the age of TMZ, blogs and the Internet.

Join the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists on Wednesday, March 25 at the Beverly Hills Public Library for a panel discussion on the ethics of entertainment reporting in the age of paparazzi, blogs and the Internet.

The panelists are:

• TMZ managing editor Harvey Levin
• Los Angeles Times reporter Harriet Ryan
• Attorney Blair Berk

First Amendment attorney Jean-Paul Jassy will moderate the discussion.

WHAT:             Ethics and Entertainment
WHEN:             Wednesday, March 25, 7 p.m.
LOCATION:      Beverly Hills Public Library, auditorium, 444 N. Rexford Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
COST:              $10 for SPJ members and students; $15 for non-members. Light refreshments will be served.
PARKING:        Parking is available adjacent to the library at 450 N. Rexford Drive. The first two hours are free, and then it costs 75 cents per half hour.
RSVP:              Email SPJLosAngeles@gmail.com or call the SPJ/LA reservation hotline at (323) 259-3350.