WPFW Hit With Cyberattack
Amid Shortfall, American U. Pauses Some Hiring
‘George Mason U. Typifies Folly of War on DEI’
Morgan State Part of Maryland Public TV’s ‘HBCU Week’
WABJ Names Its Special Honors Winners
Connie Chung, Maury Povich to Speak at Sixth & I NW
Ray Suarez to Appear on NYU – D.C. Campus
Community Day’ Saturday at D.C.’s Arena Stage
Today: Webinar on Promise, Perils of AI in Reporting Elections
Webinar: Building, Maintaining Trust in Election Coverage
From the Fund for Investigative Journalism
Dow Jones News Fund Seeks ‘Journalism Champion”
Ideas Sought for Diversity, Belonging, Equity, Inclusion
‘A Membership Collective for Writers of Color’
The Sept. 2 Edition of ‘Media Watch,’ From New York
Nominate E&P’s ‘Publisher of the Year’
Jobs
From Washington Association of Black Journalists (Sept. 4)
From SNCC Legacy Project
(Credit: Kenny Holston/New York Times)
Our next Journal-isms Roundtable takes place Sunday, Sept. 22, at 1 p.m. Eastern, with reporters who have covered Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee for president.
It will take place via Zoom and comes after the planned Sept. 10 ABC-TV debate with former president Donald Trump, the Republican nominee.
At this writing, the panelists are (subject to news developments):
Amy L. Alexander, author of “How San Francisco’s Tight Community Of Female ‘Firsts’ Shaped Kamala Harris” (HuffPost)
Brakkton Booker, Politico
Errin Haines, the 19th News
Nii-Quartelai Quartey, Ed.D., author, “Kamala, The Motherland and Me”; host, KBLA talk radio, Los Angeles
April Ryan, the Grio
Darlene Superville, Associated Press
Who’s in?
Zoom information comes closer to the date.
For those who haven’t seen photos from our July 1 Roundtable, with new Washington Post editor Matt Murray (pictured); remembrances of former NABJ president Merv Aubespin; Shirley Carswell on the inaugural Black Male Journalism Workshop; a toast to Gary Lee and the team behind “40 Acres and a Lie,” these Facebook links go to Part 1 and Part 2
- Video of Aug. 1 Roundtable: “Press Freedom in Black-Run Countries”
WPFW Hit With Cyberattack
Washington’s WPFW radio was hit with a cyberattack, Miyuki Williams (pictured), interim general manager, messaged supporters on Aug. 21. She told Journal-isms she had reported the attacks to the FBI and FCC. The FBI referred questions to the FCC, where a spokesperson said, “We decline to comment on the presence or possibility of any investigations.” However, Williams said Wednesday that neither agency had contacted her.
“Unknown individuals have compromised our broadcasting capabilities, disrupted our streaming services, and interfered with our office computers and phone lines,” Williams said in her message to supporters of the progressive, listener-supported station.
“Our dedicated tech team is working tirelessly to resolve these issues, installing enhanced security measures to protect our station. Unfortunately, this effort comes with additional costs, and we are focusing every resource we have on ensuring the safety and continuity of our broadcasts. . . . Now, more than ever, we need your support,” she added.
Amid Shortfall, American U. Pauses Some Hiring
“Enrollment numbers are down at one D.C. university – adding to a budget shortfall,” Homa Bash reported July 19 for WTTG-TV.
“American University’s President Jonathan Alger told students and staff Friday, that the enrollment and budget challenges are serious but solvable.
“American’s total full-time undergraduate enrollment is projected to be 7,004 students — 400 below their budget targets.
“They will have 1,864 incoming freshmen, 386 below target.
“The university blames a number of factors when it comes to lower enrollment, including regulatory changes to FAFSA [Free Application for Federal Student Aid] calculations, a highly competitive higher education market, and ‘evolving student demographics.’
“The enrollment outcomes mean a $23 million revenue gap in the FY25 budget, but the university said they solved roughly $25 million through spending adjustments and a four-percent tuition increase.
Full-time tuition for students is nearly $58,000 a year.
“They also plan to pause hiring non-critical positions, though it’s unclear which roles fall into that category. . . .”
Separately, Marnel Niles Goins, Ph.D, (pictured) began her tenure as dean of the School of Communication on July 1.
‘George Mason U. Typifies Folly of War on DEI’
“George Mason University’s diversity, equity and inclusion web page celebrates a school where at least 80 languages are spoken by a student body representing more than 130 countries. Students of color make up 40% of its enrollment,” columnist Michael Paul Williams wrote Aug. 2 for the Richmond (Va.) Times-Dispatch.
“The Fairfax school boasts the most diverse campus in Virginia. But Gov. Glenn Youngkin has board of visitors members — a sizable chunk of them affiliated with The Heritage Foundation — who view diversity as a curse rather than a blessing.
“A recent piece in the Chronicle of Higher Education describes this Heritage Foundation takeover on the GMU board, which sounds similar to what Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis executed at the formerly progressive New College of Florida.
“ ‘Eradicating diversity, equity, and inclusion is the primary force driving conversations about who should lead the board, according to several people with knowledge of the discussions,’ reads the article, whose headline asks: ‘Could George Mason U. Be Republicans’ ‘Test Case’ for Project 2025?”
“You’d be advised to peep at that GMU DEI page while you can. Recall how Virginia’s DEI Office underwent a name change soon after Youngkin took office, with ‘equity’ being swapped out for ‘opportunity.’
“There’s something about ‘equity’ — defined as fairness and justice — that drives these folks nuts. Go figure. . . . .”
Morgan State Part of Maryland Public TV’s ‘HBCU Week’
HBCU Week on Maryland Public Television (MPT) runs this week until Sunday, Sept, 8. The week included “History of A National Treasure: The Documentary Story of Morgan State University”
View the full schedule here.
“Those who live outside of MPT’s viewing area may visit mpt.org/hbcu/ for on-demand viewing.”
WABJ Names Its Special Honors Winners
The Washington Association of Black Journalists has announced its annual award winners, to be recognized at the WABJ Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Blackburn University Center, Howard University. Tickets are available for purchase.
Connie Chung, Maury Povich to Speak at Sixth & I NW
“A trailblazing journalist for NBC, CBS, and ABC, Connie Chung shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for many women and Asians alike,” Politics and Prose announces. “In 1969, at the age of 23, the once-shy daughter of Chinese parents took her first job at a local TV station in her hometown of DC and soon thereafter began working at CBS News as a correspondent. . . .
“In Connie: A Memoir, Chung pulls no punches as she shares a behind-the-scenes tour of her life and career, from showdowns with powerful men in and out of the newsroom where overt sexism was a way of life to the stories behind some of her career-defining reporting. Chung will be in conversation with her husband Maury Povich, a former news reporter and anchor who hosted the talk show ‘Maury’ for over thirty years. Povich is a recipient of the Daytime Emmys Lifetime Achievement Honor. . . .” (Photo at Asian American Journalists Association convention last month.)
- Journal-isms: At AAJA: On-Stage Proposal, Promise to Dish (Aug 11)
Ray Suarez to Appear on NYU – D.C. Campus
“Join the John Brademas Center for the first Changmakers in Focus event with NYU alumnus Ray Suarez (pictured) in conversation with Washington Post Reporter and NYU alumnae Maegan Vaszeqez. The discussion will center around Suarez’s most recent book, We Are Home: Becoming American in the 21st Century.
September 26, 2024 | 6:30 pm ET
NYU Global Academic Center
1307 L St NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
“From a veteran broadcaster and historian comes a richly reported portrait of the newest Americans, immigrants from all over the globe who are living all across the country, filled with their own voices. This conversation will explore Ray Suarez’s experience as he criss-crossed the country to speak to new Americans from all corners of the globe, and to record their stories. Learn more about our speakers by visiting NYU DC’s full event page.
“We welcome guests to join the conversation online if you’re unable to attend in-person.
“This program is open to everyone. Registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that this program may be recorded. Questions? Email Brademas.Center (at) nyu.edu.”
- Ray Suarez, American Communities Project: More in Common Than You Think (July 16)
‘Community Day’ Saturday at D.C.’s Arena Stage
“Excitement is building, DMV! Don’t miss Community Day at Arena Stage! Join us on Saturday, September 7th, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Mead Center for American Theater in Southwest D.C. for an unforgettable day of creativity, connection, and community.
“We’re throwing open our doors for a celebration like no other, inviting you to dive into a world of interactive art, backstage tours, outdoor fun, live music, and delicious bites from some of the area’s best food trucks.
“This celebratory event is FREE* and open to all — no registration required. Gather your friends, family, and neighbors and drop on by Community Day at Arena Stage! Stay for a few hours or the whole day — either way, there’s a world of fun waiting for you. . . .”
Today: Webinar on Promise, Perils of AI in Reporting Elections
Sep 4, 2024 05:00 PM Eastern time
“Please join the Society of Professional Journalists and its Professional Standards and Ethics Committee for “The Promise and Perils of AI in Election Coverage” panel discussion.
“Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to be a powerful tool in the upcoming U.S. elections, both to inform and misinform voters. Two journalists with expertise in different areas of generative AI will examine the double-edged sword the technology presents in elections — to help journalists produce more nuanced reporting or to deceive the public with fake but hyper-realistic images, videos and audio.
“Join Zach Seward, editorial director of AI initiatives for The New York Times, and Loreben Tuquero, a reporter covering misinformation and generative AI for PolitiFact, for this important discussion. The session will be moderated by Eric Wishart, standards and ethics editor and a former editor-in-chief of Agence France-Presse . . . .continued
- Black Tech Futures Research Initiative: Black Joy AI Summit, Sept. 13-14
Webinar: Building, Maintaining Trust in Election Coverage
“Join us for an engaging presentation of the Radio Television Digital News Association’s (RTDNA) research on media trust and gain insights into strengthening audience confidence during this year’s elections. Hear from broadcast news leaders on the tactics their stations are using to build trust and educate audiences on local voting nuances during this unique election cycle.
“Panelists will also share first-hand experiences about the dangers they face in the field and how they keep their crews safe while covering political rallies and election-related events.
“When: 2 p.m. ET, Monday, September 9, 2024 . . .”
From the Fund for Investigative Journalism
| Friends, Below are nine new stories produced with our support. They include investigations that have already sparked change on working conditions on farms in California and a housing shortage in Alaska. Also, a reminder: Applications for regular grants are due next Monday, Sept. 9, and applications for seed grants for early reporting are due Monday, Sept. 20. See our website for details, a new video on how to write effective proposals, and the application forms. Thank you for your partnership supporting public-service reporting, |
 |
| Eric Ferrero, Executive Director Fund for Investigative Journalism |
- Grantee investigation shows that Seattle misrepresented river dam’s impact on Indigenous communities
Dow Jones News Fund Seeks ‘Journalism Champion’
“The Dow Jones News Fund is seeking nominations for its 2024 Richard J. Levine Journalism Champion Award. The prize honors outstanding newsroom leaders and journalism educators whose work supports and advances a strong and diverse free press. Nominees do not need to be DJNF alumni.
“The nomination deadline is Monday, September 16. We will need a letter of recommendation explaining the nominee’s contributions or service to the journalism industry and including links to their professional biography or resume.
“Click here to nominate someone.
“This award is a tribute to the late News Fund president and longtime Dow Jones news executive Richard J. Levine, a steadfast champion of the important role of a free press in society. The recognition includes a cash award of $2,500 to be presented at the DJNF annual board meeting in New York.”
Ideas Sought for Diversity, Belonging, Equity, Inclusion
From Francisco Vara-Orta (pictured) at Investigative Reporters and Editors:
“. . . I am sending a brief note to encourage you if you can spare a few minutes to submit pitches for our upcoming annual conference that’s virtual by design, AccessFest, October 17-19. Topic ideas and speaker suggestions are great and pitches don’t need to be fully baked.
“AccessFest focuses on two major prongs that expands IRE’s efforts to provide more accessible training. Some sessions are centered on belonging, equity, and inclusion in the newsroom and through better news coverage of inequities in the communities journalists serve. And for those who couldn’t make it to NICAR or IRE this year? The conference also features the most well-attended data classes and digging into docs sessions from the in-person conferences this past year.
“If you are curious to know what last year’s sessions looked like, here is the 2023 lineup and the 2022 schedule for inspiration and guidance.
“You also can already register for the event here. We have an early bird rate of $149 through mid-September and a rate of $50 per student. It’s also recorded so people can come back and watch sessions later given their schedules with work or family commitments.
“I hope to see you attend this October and happy to take any questions! Bring a friend, tell a friend please. We believe there remains a continued interest in virtual training given what we have seen this year with demand across the board on data, docs and DBEI. We really value hearing what ideas would make you want to attend.
“Warmest regards,”
Francisco
Francisco Vara-Orta (he/him/él)
Director of Diversity & Inclusion
Investigative Reporters & Editors | www.ire.org
Email: francisco (at) ire.org
Twitter: @fvaraorta
‘A Membership Collective for Writers of Color’
“Periplus is a community of writers engaged in mentorship and community-building. Some of us are mentors (giving mentorship) and some are Fellows (receiving mentorship), but those lines can be blurry; we all benefit from our participation in the community, and we all share in supporting one another. In fact, some Fellows from past years (Jenzo DuQue, Zain Khalid, and Angelique Stevens, ’21) have gone on to become mentors as well. In addition, anyone who applies to Periplus and is named a finalist has access to much of the same programming as the Fellows (though not to the one-on-one mentorship).
“The application for 2025 fellowships is now open; the deadline is September 20, 2024, at 11:59 pm ET.
“You can read more about Periplus in this Poets & Writers profile (from May / June 2021) and this Atlantic Q&A (from September 2023).
‘Who are the mentors, and what do they do?
“The Periplus mentors are a group of about 50 writers who, having benefited when we’ve belonged to diverse and inclusive writing communities, would like to mentor promising BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) writers in the United States who are earlier in their careers than we are. These are the current and past mentors. We write essays, fiction, longform journalism, poetry, memoir, criticism, and various hybrid or undefined forms, and seek mentees working in those forms. (While several mentors are journalists with varied experience, this collective is geared more toward longform stories — features, investigations, and the like — than shortform reporting; people on the latter track might find more suitable resources through journalists’ organizations such as NAJA, NAHJ, NABJ, AAJA, and SAJA.) . . . Continued
Dow Jones Fund Seeks ‘Journalism Champion”
The Sept. 2 Edition of ‘Media Watch,’ From New York
Media Watch Air date: 2 September 2024
Hosts: Alan Singer, PhD, with Robert Anthony, and Eric V Tait Jr:
“Subject: A) Dem Convention Wrap: Self-inflicted wound–despite high media praise—for denying a Palestinian Voice on their prime time/main stage?? Indeed. Major failing.
“B) Analysis/CallOut:
“THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: why media coverage across the board is pretending this is just another normal Presidential Election; as if it’s happening between two valid political parties and two valid candidates.
“It’s not, and we need to forcefully call this farce for what it is: A convicted sexual assaulter, multiply-convicted felon awaiting sentencing, an attempted Coup-fomenter actually selected as their candidate of choice by the Republican so-called political party (147 elected members of which actually voted to support that Coup-attempt by NOT certifying a valid Presidential election); a so-called party whose current efforts nationally and state-level wise are all directed at voter suppression/intimidation, and against individuals and their personal and political rights and freedoms. It’s high time all real journalists reported on this farcical fiasco correctly, and as truthfully and accurately as we possibly can.”
Nominate E&P’s ‘Publisher of the Year’
E&P’s 2024 Publisher of the Year nominations are now open
Help us honor a news media leader who has risen above the rest
” . . . .We are looking to honor a publisher who has risen above the rest and accomplished what seems like the impossible, outmaneuvering the competition, outthinking the future and maintaining profitability.
“We are seeking your assistance in recognizing a leader with business acumen, technical savvy, and a deep understanding of what needs to be done to stay successful — along with the fortitude and tenacity to implement change.
“ ‘Publisher of the Year’ recognition is open to all news media publishers worldwide.
“This year’s winner will be featured on our November cover.
“Nominations end at midnight (ET) on Monday, September 30th, 2024 . . .”
Jobs
From journalist organizations
FROM AARP via Wanda Lloyd
Communications Manager
https://careers.aarp.org/careers-home/jobs/5950?lang=en-us
From the Uproot Project: (Sept. 4)
Growing new roots
Job opportunities:
- Sierra Club, Social Media Content Creator
- United Nations, IMEO Writer & Editor
- YES! Media, Multimedia Editor Contract Position
- The Invisible Institute, investigative reporter (applications due Sept. 7)
- Atmos, Site Director
Fellowships, grants, & other opportunities:
- Calendar for paid internships & fellowships (courtesy of Mandy Hofmockel’s substack for journalism jobs)
- IRE, Freelance Fellowship (deadline September 23)
- National Press Photographers Foundation, Grants & Scholarships
- Pitching Science Friday
- ProPublica, Freelance Pitch Form
From the Maynard Institute (Aug. 29)
Senior Fellow, 2024 Election Coverage, The Pivot Fund – Georgia, U.S.
Associate Director of Research, Learning, and Impact, The Pivot Fund – Georgia, U.S.
Editor, the Santa Fe Reporter – Santa Fe, NM
Economic Inequality Reporter, Civil Beat – Honolulu, HI
Education Lab Reporter, Seattle Times – Seattle, WA
Labor Reporter, Northwest Labor Press – Portland, OR
Local Government Reporter, San Gabriel Valley Tribune – Los Angeles, CA
Anchor/Reporter, KMPH News – Fresno, CA
Stigler Center Journalists in Residence Program – Chicago, IL
News Editor, Miami New Times – Miami, FL
Education Reporter, Community Impact – Houston, TX
Service Journalism Reporter, The Sacramento Bee – Sacramento, CA
Assistant Audience Development Editor The Kansas City Star – Kansas City, MO
Bilingual Multimedia Journalist, Las Vegas Review-Journal – Las Vegas, NV
Maui Reporter (Local Government), Civil Beat – Maui, HI
Data/Investigations Reporter, New York Amsterdam News – Remote, New York, New York
Contract Politics Editor, 19th News – Remote, U.S.
From Washington Association of Black Journalists (Sept. 4)
| Happy Wednesday WABJ Members and Friends! We are now accepting scholarship applications from journalism students in the Washington, D.C. metro area who are passionate about pursuing careers in media. The Paul Brock Scholarship honors the late Paul Brock, WABJ’s founding president, who also served as the founding executive director of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). NABJ Founding President Chuck Stone once described Brock as the “Henry Kissinger of Black journalists” because of his outstanding talent at organizing. Brock passed away in March 2021. The WABJ Investigative Journalism Scholarship program furthers the organization’s efforts to increase the representation of Black journalists in investigative reporting, thanks to a $10,000 seed investment MGM’s Orion Pictures and United Artists. The deadline to apply for the WABJ Paul Brock Journalism Scholarship and the WABJ Investigative Journalism Scholarship is Monday, Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Scholarship winners will be notified in late October and celebrated at the 2024 WABJ Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, December 7 at Howard University. In addition to receiving a $2,500 check to cover college expenses, each recipient will be paired with a professional mentor for one year based on their career interests. We can’t wait to see the incredible talent and dedication from all the applicants. Please help us spread the word about these scholarship opportunities by forwarding this email to deserving students and sharing the flyer within your network. Thank you! Apply here |
From SNCC Legacy Project
 Join us for SNCC & Grassroots Organizing events in Fall 2024With the generous support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the SNCC and Grassroots Organizing: Building a More Perfect Union discussion series focuses on SNCC’s grassroots community organizing and its relevance to ongoing efforts to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society. Check out the Fall 2024 event schedule and join us to learn more about SNCC’s organizing work from SNCC veterans and humanities scholars and to explore connections to your life and community. September 12-13: Prairie View A&M University Prairie View, TX In-person & Livestreamed (on Sep 12) Sep 12: Voting Rights Roundtable (in-person & livestreamed)12:00-1:30pm CT/1:00-2:30p ET Sep 13: Women & Gender Roundtable & Workshop (in-person only) 10:00am-12:00pm CT Voting Rights Learning Toolkit Workshop (in-person only) 1:00-2:30pm CT Register to attend in-person at Prairie View Register for the Livestream Sep 12, 12pm CT/1pm ET September 30: Virtual Community Conversation Voting Rights Online only7:00-8:30pm ET  Register for the Sep. 30 Voting Rights Conversation October 19: National Center for Civil & Human Rights Atlanta, GA In-person only Voting Rights Learning Toolkit Workshop10:30am-12:30pm ET Register for the Oct 19 Voting Rights Toolkit Workshop November 15-16: Morehouse College Atlanta, GA In-person &Livestreamed (on Nov. 15) Nov. 15: Freedom Teaching Roundtable (in-person & livestreamed) 5:00-6:30pm ET Nov. 16: Organizing Tradition Roundtable Discussion & Workshop (in-person only )10:00am-12:00pm ET Freedom Teaching Learning Toolkit Workshop (in-person only)1:00-2:30pm ET Register to attend in-person at MorehouseRegister for the livestream Nov 15, 5p ET December 9: Virtual Community Conversation Freedom Teaching Online 7:00-8:30pm ET Register for the Dec 9 Freedom Teaching Conversation December 14: International Civil Rights Center & Museum Greensboro, NC In-person only Freedom Teaching Learning Toolkit Workshop & Discussion2:00-4:00pm ET Register for the Dec 14 Freedom Teaching Toolkit Workshop Learn More |
| SNCC Legacy Project | www.sncclegacyproject.org info (at) sncclegacyproject.org | |
Cheers,
Richard Prince
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