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| Photo by Mary S. Kenney |
| Claire Aronson, left, and Amelia Chang look over items up for bid at a silent auction during the SPJ/RTDNA conference in New Orleans. |
Mary Kenney, Michael Auslen, Claire Aronson and Amelia Chang traveled to New Orleans for the conference. Below, they share the highlights from Excellence in Journalism '11.
"Creating Multiplatform Stories"
By Claire Aronson
Bright House Sports Network reporter Victoria Lim talked to attendees about “Creating Multiplatform Stories” during a session Sept. 26.
After showing multiple examples to illustrate her point, Lim encouraged reporters to have the goal of creating stories that are read, watched and surfed. Reporters must become their own team coverage as they will know their stories best and can control marketability, Lim said.
Lim created a pseudo scenario about a stuffed animal zoo to illustrate the importance of cross promotion of the story. The audience asked her questions in a mock press conference.
While Lim said multiplatform reporting has its advantages, it also has negative attributes. This type of reporting presents the issue of multiple deadlines and multiple bosses, which can sometimes create competition, she said.
Lim created a pseudo scenario about a stuffed animal zoo to illustrate the importance of cross promotion of the story. The audience asked her questions in a mock press conference.
While Lim said multiplatform reporting has its advantages, it also has negative attributes. This type of reporting presents the issue of multiple deadlines and multiple bosses, which can sometimes create competition, she said.
Ellerbee, Logan take top awards
By Claire Aronson
Broadcast journalists Linda Ellerbee and Lara Logan were recognized for their achievements in journalism during the Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism national convention in New Orleans Sept. 26.
Ellerbee of Nickelodeon Television’s Nick News with Linda Ellerbee was presented the 2011 Paul White Award. After a video highlighting her career, Ellerbee addressed the audience, offering tips for her fellow journalists.
“Wherever in this world you find bad things happening, you will find good people trying to make it better,” she said.
To balance her more serious advice, Ellerbee also said more quirky advice to fit her personality.
“Kid, a journalist is an out-of-work reporter,” she said.
Logan received the 2011 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award for her work for CBS News and 60 Minutes.
During her acceptance speech, Logan addressed her career and particularly the events of the past few months. She was attacked while in Egypt covering the protests that led to the fall of President Mubarak.
“I think I’m a model of imperfection that’s managed to make it anyway,” she said.
“Wherever in this world you find bad things happening, you will find good people trying to make it better,” she said.
To balance her more serious advice, Ellerbee also said more quirky advice to fit her personality.
“Kid, a journalist is an out-of-work reporter,” she said.
Logan received the 2011 John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award for her work for CBS News and 60 Minutes.
During her acceptance speech, Logan addressed her career and particularly the events of the past few months. She was attacked while in Egypt covering the protests that led to the fall of President Mubarak.
“I think I’m a model of imperfection that’s managed to make it anyway,” she said.
The Girl in the Window
By Mary S. Kenney
The first formal session was “The Girl in the Window,” presented by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times. DeGregory told us how she started with a story tip and finished with a Pulitzer Prize-winning story. Someone told her that a young girl with multiple developmental problems had been adopted despite many difficulties. DeGregory looked into the girl's history and found a shocking story.
The girl had been locked in a room for the first nine years of her life and given only milk to sustain her. When police found her, she could not take care of herself or speak, and she had never seen sunlight. The little girl was adopted, and DeGregory told the story of the family's love for her, the challenges of teaching a nine-year-old to speak and eat, and even of the birthmother who left her daughter alone in a filthy room.
The story itself was heartbreaking, but DeGregory described methods that can inspire any journalist. She followed through on a tip she could have overlooked; after all, thousands of children are in need of adoption. But she followed through. Then, she slowly and patiently built the trust of the family that adopted the young girl. Finally, she tracked down and found the birth mother, of whom there was little formal record, and learned a side of the story that was tragic.
DeGregory's story included all the elements stories must have: beautiful photos, intriguing video and powerful writing. DeGregory wrote the story not as hard news, but as a literary piece. Her writing style can inspire anyone to improve their own, and I encourage journalism students to research her work.
The story itself was heartbreaking, but DeGregory described methods that can inspire any journalist. She followed through on a tip she could have overlooked; after all, thousands of children are in need of adoption. But she followed through. Then, she slowly and patiently built the trust of the family that adopted the young girl. Finally, she tracked down and found the birth mother, of whom there was little formal record, and learned a side of the story that was tragic.
DeGregory's story included all the elements stories must have: beautiful photos, intriguing video and powerful writing. DeGregory wrote the story not as hard news, but as a literary piece. Her writing style can inspire anyone to improve their own, and I encourage journalism students to research her work.
Opening Super Session with CNN's Soledad O’Brien
By Mary S. Kenney
Soledad O'Brien, CNN anchor and special correspondent, sat down with retired ABC News senior Washington correspondent John Cochran to discuss the nature of her work and her expertise in finding and telling untold stories in America. O'Brien was blunt with her interviewer and the audience as she talked about family, work and sources.
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| Photo by Mary S. Kenney |
| CNN's Soledad O'Brien was the Super Session opening speaker Sept. 25. |
There were several take-aways from O'Brien's speech for the students in the audience. For example, she talked about working with interns. She said several CNN interns in the past have been arrogant and refused to do simple things, such as bring coffee to O'Brien.
O'Brien said such attitudes do not impress potential employers. She stressed that interns are expected to do whatever is asked of them, including jobs they do not see as dignified. A humble, helpful attitude, high energy and enterprising ideas are what CNN looks for in interns, O'Brien said, and interns with these qualities will be the ones who receive recommendations and jobs.