Q: What do the candidates think about science?
A1: McCain will not answer any questions. Obama has. Check it out for yourself: www.sciencedebate2008.com (K.C.Cole)
A2: McCain's campaign says they will address these questions soon. The delay is not reassuring. Times reporters have not been able to get interviews with either candidate about environmental platform. What about science/health? Not likely. Obama has given answers (although very general) on science issues. Early on, Obama was discussing technology infrastructure. It will also be interesting to see how the choice of Palin influences McCain's stance on issues like climate change and environmental energy. (Chang)
A3: Looking and medical/health issues locally. What about VA Hospitals on the state level? Georgia has the largest number of female veterans. (Thomas)
A4: I think we can overrate empiricism. Truth-telling facts/evidence are all critically important to us but to make compelling stories, narrative is extremely important to the greater public. No amt. of evidence is adequate to convince a certain group of people...show them examples.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Science Panel: Live-Blogging with K.C. Cole
K.C. Cole
I. Science is Everywhere. Science can comment on everything.
-what is a WMD (somehow science falls into the same category as most of the
pressing news stories).
-race (meaningless since we are all indeed related)
-eyewitness testimony. (disproven scientifically again and again)
-Terry Schiavo/Organ transplants/What is death?
-know your numbers….know the difference between numbers
II. Sometimes science doesn’t make sense.
-it is true….but we can work to make it more palatable.
III. Dare to be stupid
-science is not rocket science…!!
-usually your basic common sense will inform your article. Go with your gut. Ask
those questions…
IV. There is no such thing as a theory of everything
-please just don’t write that….it does NOT exist!
I. Science is Everywhere. Science can comment on everything.
-what is a WMD (somehow science falls into the same category as most of the
pressing news stories).
-race (meaningless since we are all indeed related)
-eyewitness testimony. (disproven scientifically again and again)
-Terry Schiavo/Organ transplants/What is death?
-know your numbers….know the difference between numbers
II. Sometimes science doesn’t make sense.
-it is true….but we can work to make it more palatable.
III. Dare to be stupid
-science is not rocket science…!!
-usually your basic common sense will inform your article. Go with your gut. Ask
those questions…
IV. There is no such thing as a theory of everything
-please just don’t write that….it does NOT exist!
Science Panel: Live-Blogging with Patricia Thomas and Ellen Ruppell Shell
Patricia Thomas
I. In her new job at the U. of Georgia, was asked to address the gap of knowledge in the South in three ways
1. work with the ethnic press
2. keep up with research
3. charged with starting a new masters concentration in health and medical
journalism with a focus on the SE.
Ellen Ruppel Shaw
I.Why Science Journalism?
-co-director of science journalism program at BU
II. Have you been assigned to write about science?
-science has been lumped into the “big categories/beats.” Even if you have an
expert on the other line…When speaking with a scientist keep the antenna up and
don’t take all statements for granted. Don’t let the “Dr” phase you.
,
I. In her new job at the U. of Georgia, was asked to address the gap of knowledge in the South in three ways
1. work with the ethnic press
2. keep up with research
3. charged with starting a new masters concentration in health and medical
journalism with a focus on the SE.
Ellen Ruppel Shaw
I.Why Science Journalism?
-co-director of science journalism program at BU
II. Have you been assigned to write about science?
-science has been lumped into the “big categories/beats.” Even if you have an
expert on the other line…When speaking with a scientist keep the antenna up and
don’t take all statements for granted. Don’t let the “Dr” phase you.
,
Science Panel: Live-Blogging with Laura Chang
Good Morning. We are here at JAWS 2008 in Bartlett, NH. Here is the latest from the Science Panel.
Our Panelists are:
Laura Change (NY Times)
K.C. Cole (USC)
Ellen Ruppell Shell (BU)
Patricia Thomas (University of Georgia)
Laura Chang (NY Times)
I. Why Science Journalism?
-enthusiastic about science since an early age
-an expert on nothing which makes her a great editor
-bringing a generalist’s view to the Times
II. Couple of principles to keep in mind
-remember the people, remember to speak about science for the people, make their life better through science
-remember that people are creating the science, people with various ambitions, motivations, and flaws.
-don’t dumb it down too much; it is indeed vigorous
Our Panelists are:
Laura Change (NY Times)
K.C. Cole (USC)
Ellen Ruppell Shell (BU)
Patricia Thomas (University of Georgia)
Laura Chang (NY Times)
I. Why Science Journalism?
-enthusiastic about science since an early age
-an expert on nothing which makes her a great editor
-bringing a generalist’s view to the Times
II. Couple of principles to keep in mind
-remember the people, remember to speak about science for the people, make their life better through science
-remember that people are creating the science, people with various ambitions, motivations, and flaws.
-don’t dumb it down too much; it is indeed vigorous
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Election Roundtable: Q&A
A few questions and answers from the session....
Is who makes the most money really the best way to choose how you'll spread coverage around?
-- Sweet: Obama is a hometown guy; some candidates got more coverage than they deserved because they were interesting, etc.
There's not enough decoding of what is actually meant (should be done by reporters). There are not enough voices of color giving analysis or commenting (to give context like this).
The majority of top reporters covering politics at news outlets are white men over 50, says Jodi.
What do you read, watch, listen to, or not?
Felice: Loves Maureen Dowd, the Politico
Lynn: Mike Allen's Playbook at Politico, The Page (an aggregated site that looks at what moves the day), CBS/ABC aggregates, NYT, Wash Post, Chicago Sun-Times, and the links on her blog. She doesn't pay attention to one on one interviews. She needs places giving lots of information synthesized.
Beth: Mike Allen's Playbook, CNN, NYT for general coverage and Slate's XX Factor
Ann: Michele Cotta from the Republic, Rebecca Traister at Salon
Can the Obama campaign sustain the interest and energy?
Yes, they can sustain the energy, but will the young people who have mobilized for him really vote?? That's the question, said Beth. Lynn Sweet: Term Obama uses is "intensity gap" -- they say they're ahead of McCain. Palin revs up Repubs the way Obama has done for the Dems.
Places like the Politico don't have the same resource base as the old media institutions -- are there going to be journos covering political campaigns in a new media world? What's our strategy to keep the journalism in the campaign?
Beth said they're doing partnerships with papers like St. Paul Pioneer Press and Denver Post. Also launching Politico network -- content and ad revenue sharing program that will launch on Tuesday. It all has to do with marketing and advertising. Can't see advertising is our enemy.
Is who makes the most money really the best way to choose how you'll spread coverage around?
-- Sweet: Obama is a hometown guy; some candidates got more coverage than they deserved because they were interesting, etc.
There's not enough decoding of what is actually meant (should be done by reporters). There are not enough voices of color giving analysis or commenting (to give context like this).
The majority of top reporters covering politics at news outlets are white men over 50, says Jodi.
What do you read, watch, listen to, or not?
Felice: Loves Maureen Dowd, the Politico
Lynn: Mike Allen's Playbook at Politico, The Page (an aggregated site that looks at what moves the day), CBS/ABC aggregates, NYT, Wash Post, Chicago Sun-Times, and the links on her blog. She doesn't pay attention to one on one interviews. She needs places giving lots of information synthesized.
Beth: Mike Allen's Playbook, CNN, NYT for general coverage and Slate's XX Factor
Ann: Michele Cotta from the Republic, Rebecca Traister at Salon
Can the Obama campaign sustain the interest and energy?
Yes, they can sustain the energy, but will the young people who have mobilized for him really vote?? That's the question, said Beth. Lynn Sweet: Term Obama uses is "intensity gap" -- they say they're ahead of McCain. Palin revs up Repubs the way Obama has done for the Dems.
Places like the Politico don't have the same resource base as the old media institutions -- are there going to be journos covering political campaigns in a new media world? What's our strategy to keep the journalism in the campaign?
Beth said they're doing partnerships with papers like St. Paul Pioneer Press and Denver Post. Also launching Politico network -- content and ad revenue sharing program that will launch on Tuesday. It all has to do with marketing and advertising. Can't see advertising is our enemy.
Quality Campaign Reporting?
Best predictor was the money collected in the first quarter of the election primary. Two Dems were ahead of everyone else: Obama and Clinton. That shaped coverage, said Sweet.
Is that how life should be?
Money chase meant two candidates could expand -- have local offices, etc. -- can't fault press for paying attention to who's getting paid (or donations). Plus, the Media found coverage could be a marketing decision: put Obama or Clinton on a cover and you'll sell issues.
There was no superstar Republican candidate.
Frerking:
She felt the sexism when she started covering the Hillary campaign. There were people on the bus who she had respect for that said they don't believe sentimental moments at all. People didn't believe the now-infamous teary eyed moment in the coffee shop during Clinton's campaign.
All political coverage is more complex than we think.
Ann Friedman:
Having women in the race has made a difference in getting a female voice onto larger platforms. That's important and points to the stats that say when women run, more women vote.
Is that how life should be?
Money chase meant two candidates could expand -- have local offices, etc. -- can't fault press for paying attention to who's getting paid (or donations). Plus, the Media found coverage could be a marketing decision: put Obama or Clinton on a cover and you'll sell issues.
There was no superstar Republican candidate.
Frerking:
She felt the sexism when she started covering the Hillary campaign. There were people on the bus who she had respect for that said they don't believe sentimental moments at all. People didn't believe the now-infamous teary eyed moment in the coffee shop during Clinton's campaign.
All political coverage is more complex than we think.
Ann Friedman:
Having women in the race has made a difference in getting a female voice onto larger platforms. That's important and points to the stats that say when women run, more women vote.
Beth Frerking: Speed is of the essence
It's huge, Frerking said.
Pace for The Politico is relentless. And is essential. Good thing is that with the bloggers, they are transparent. (Edwards deciding whether to stay in the race or not, a Politico blogger got a bogus tip. Read about it here. But the blogger, Ben, also was transparent about what he did wrong.)
Go behind the curtain. Tell us what's behind the curtain. Interesting convos about politics happen when reporters go to lunch and talk about what's REALLY happening on the campaign trail.
We should be telling those stories.
Pace for The Politico is relentless. And is essential. Good thing is that with the bloggers, they are transparent. (Edwards deciding whether to stay in the race or not, a Politico blogger got a bogus tip. Read about it here. But the blogger, Ben, also was transparent about what he did wrong.)
Go behind the curtain. Tell us what's behind the curtain. Interesting convos about politics happen when reporters go to lunch and talk about what's REALLY happening on the campaign trail.
We should be telling those stories.
Lynn Sweet
The travelling press often gets advance information for "planning purposes."
"There is nothing that happens at a fully blown national campaign that isn't done for their purpose."
A lot of what you see and hear on a daily basis from the campaign comes from pool reports. (Apparently, however, not Lynn. Yesterday, she was writing a story -- she's the primary Obama reporter -- as the rest of us were eating dinner.)
Candidate is not accessible every minute when you are traveling with them. Special service agents were all around Obama early on.
"There is nothing that happens at a fully blown national campaign that isn't done for their purpose."
A lot of what you see and hear on a daily basis from the campaign comes from pool reports. (Apparently, however, not Lynn. Yesterday, she was writing a story -- she's the primary Obama reporter -- as the rest of us were eating dinner.)
Candidate is not accessible every minute when you are traveling with them. Special service agents were all around Obama early on.
Election Roundtable
Here's what we're supposed to be talking about:
"Hear election coverage stories from JAWS women on the front lines and back in the newsroom. What's it like to be on the road with the candidates? What have the media covered well/poorly? How does coverage of this campaign compare to that of campaigns past?"
Moderator: Jodi Enda, vet political reporter and freelance journalist/program planner, Knight Center for specialized journalism
Beth Frerking -- Asst. managing editor, Politico
Ann Friedman -- Deputy editor, The American Prospect
Felice Belman -- Editor, Concord Monitor
Lynn Sweet -- Washington Bureau Chief, Chicago Sun-Times
Felice is telling us about what it's like to be at the center of election coverage, here in New Hampshire. The editorial board was split for a long time, so they called Clinton in, then later Obama, and then Bill Clinton came in. Obama then called and said, "hey, do you want Michelle's cell phone number?"
Early on, there are also lots of missteps by the candidates. Denis Kucinich refused to eat any food from a vegan potluck because, as Felice said, "he was persnickety." This is what they do when they think no one is looking?
"Hear election coverage stories from JAWS women on the front lines and back in the newsroom. What's it like to be on the road with the candidates? What have the media covered well/poorly? How does coverage of this campaign compare to that of campaigns past?"
Moderator: Jodi Enda, vet political reporter and freelance journalist/program planner, Knight Center for specialized journalism
Beth Frerking -- Asst. managing editor, Politico
Ann Friedman -- Deputy editor, The American Prospect
Felice Belman -- Editor, Concord Monitor
Lynn Sweet -- Washington Bureau Chief, Chicago Sun-Times
Felice is telling us about what it's like to be at the center of election coverage, here in New Hampshire. The editorial board was split for a long time, so they called Clinton in, then later Obama, and then Bill Clinton came in. Obama then called and said, "hey, do you want Michelle's cell phone number?"
Early on, there are also lots of missteps by the candidates. Denis Kucinich refused to eat any food from a vegan potluck because, as Felice said, "he was persnickety." This is what they do when they think no one is looking?
Connie Schultz - live blog
Getting a late start here... She's recounting how she and her husband, Sherrod Brown, decided he would run for the U.S. Senate, putting her, as a journalist, in an awkward position.
"All i could think about is I'm giong to be the big fat moon ahead of your star. ... I did not feel pressured to have Sherrod run and I did not feel pressured to leave the Cleveland Plain Dealer when I did."
The decision to take a leave of absence was made easier by a book deal. But she wrote in her journal, "What will become of me?"
About the title of her book "And his lovely wife..." - came from the campaign trail. Many older men suggested she should have changed her last name, including one who mentioned it in introducing Sherrod Brown's lovely wife... That led her to tell the story of her recently deceased father, a blue-collar worker determined to give his children a better life. His last name was Schultz too.
"My parents were two nobodies but they raised two somebodies."
A line that inspired her: "What they call you is one thing, what you answer to is something else."
On political coverage: "I've learned some things from being on the receiving end of it."
So many large newspapers are quoting from staff-generated quotes and saying it came from the Congress member.
"Then I found out all these op-ed pieces are staff generated and have their name on them."
In one instance, someone else wrote a book review under a congressman's name for the WSJ. It misleads the readers not to ask who actually said/wrote these things.
"I looked up his voting record on gay rights and choice before I said yes to a first date."
"Overall I was pretty proud of the coverage during our Senate race" especially from larger media.
"I always knew I was going to return to my job."
One reason she's partial to Hillary Clinton is that she called to congratulate Brown on his election and asked him to tell Connie that she should return to her career. Her return was announced with a news story and it's always clear who she's married to.
"I couldn't be more transparent if I were Saran Wrap."
Recalls Leonard Pitts asking her how she could go back. She said she didn't really write the column - woke up, got an idea, asked her husband to write if for her, lots of time to go shopping. Ha ha.
Her response to some readers who complain about her link to a U.S. Senator
"Marriage does not suck the brains out of a woman and make her incapable of an independent thought."
What about Sarah Palin? She wrote a column last week.
"I am so disgusted by this notion that any skirt will do."
Also disappointed that it puts a pregnant 17-year-old in the limelight.
"If this had been a Democratic candidate leaving an infant at home... When you have an infant with Down syndrome and a pregnant teenager ... it does call into question your judgment, your values."
"I think it's a dishonest and disingenuous ploy by the McCain camp... We all have these moments when it's a chance of a lifetime" but family has to come first. She was a single mother who gave up opportunities out of consideration for her daughter.
On the evolving blog dynamic: "Bloggers are not doing it. Bloggers rely on us. They want all the access and none of the responsibility of the media."
She thinks the American public is beginning to understand why real journalists matter. But "newspapers have never been good at promoting themselves... How do we change that?"
"I don't trust polls right now, because most Americans aren't paying much attention right now."
What we've got to be responsible about: "Race is the issue in this campaign. And I say this coming from the Heartland." People in the working class love their family who are racist, so they avoid having the conversation with them. "Do you want anybody to win on the basis of race?"
It's not an issue with younger folks, but it is with the older generation. It's also an economic issue. Hillary Clinton voters: more of an identification with her, not necessarily on the issues.
"I'm embarrassed that race is an issue." Ignoring it only makes it worse. And the Obama campaign doesn't want the media to talk about it. But she says it's important to go out and talk with people in the community and tell the stories, force the conversation so many don't want to have.
"Aren't we the ones to challenge them and shake them up? Think about what you're saying right here."
Even the stories exposing those who are racist. "It's not hard to get them to say these things." National media are calling her up to ask where they should go and she makes suggestions. "I want the heat on. I don't have to be unbiased when it comes to racism."
"We got in this business not to make the money, we wanted to change the world. We've got to own why we got into it."
Asked about future elections as the country becomes more multi-ethnic.
"The undercurrent all along is fear. Race is about fear."
If you graduated after 1971, chances of going to an integrated high school is far greater. Eventually, the older generation that has that fear will be gone.
"My parting note... The very thought of more than 100 women committed to truth, which is what we do still, to storytelling ... was enough to get me here. Just in this discussion about politics, do you see how important it is that you exist, that you weigh in?"
Tells story of a friend watching a newsroom meeting, wondering why she hadn't been invited. Said she wasn't asking the right question.
"If we waited for the invitation, we still wouldn't have the right to vote."
JAWS 25th Anniversary Fund!
JAWS president Dawn Garcia is making a big announcement.
Journalism & Women Symposium has received another $50,000 grant from the Challenge Fund for Journalism! (We actually asked for $40,000...)That means we need to match this grant with private donations by Aug. 6, 2009, just in time for the 25th anniversary of our organization and the October camp in Snowbird, Utah.
The money raised will be used to keep cost of JAWS low, help pay for camp speakers and putting on more regional events.
We're asking for donations from members and we'll be looking for money from outside the organization to other women in journalism, family foundations and businesses.
If you're not here and want to donate, you may do so using Paypal through the Web site.
We'll also be posting more information about this on the Web site soon!
Journalism & Women Symposium has received another $50,000 grant from the Challenge Fund for Journalism! (We actually asked for $40,000...)That means we need to match this grant with private donations by Aug. 6, 2009, just in time for the 25th anniversary of our organization and the October camp in Snowbird, Utah.
The money raised will be used to keep cost of JAWS low, help pay for camp speakers and putting on more regional events.
We're asking for donations from members and we'll be looking for money from outside the organization to other women in journalism, family foundations and businesses.
If you're not here and want to donate, you may do so using Paypal through the Web site.
We'll also be posting more information about this on the Web site soon!
Multi-Media Training: Q&A
Tools and Toys:
1. Invest in a wireless mic if at all possible. Check out www.bhphotovideo.com for great deals.
2. Shotgun mics are more affordable (be careful...they are sensitive to hand-handling).
3. Transom.org and International Women in Media organization has great info on mics..also take a look at Storycorps. UC Berkeley has great tutorials online.
4. Digital phone recorders
5. Take a look at www.poynter.org
Want to make multi-media? What are the ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS TO KNOW?
1. Photoshop
2. Flash
3. IMovie or Windows MovieMaker
4. Look at Soundslides (www.soundslides.com)
1. Invest in a wireless mic if at all possible. Check out www.bhphotovideo.com for great deals.
2. Shotgun mics are more affordable (be careful...they are sensitive to hand-handling).
3. Transom.org and International Women in Media organization has great info on mics..also take a look at Storycorps. UC Berkeley has great tutorials online.
4. Digital phone recorders
5. Take a look at www.poynter.org
Want to make multi-media? What are the ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS TO KNOW?
1. Photoshop
2. Flash
3. IMovie or Windows MovieMaker
4. Look at Soundslides (www.soundslides.com)
Work/Life Balance Session
Rita Henley Jensen, editor in chief of Women's eNew,s moderated an insightful session on balancing work and life in an increasingly demanding industry. Panelists included Chicago freelancer Cindy Richards, former Ms. and Essence editor Marcia Gillespie and freelancer and author Courtney Martin.
Rita began the session by pointing out that only the US, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland do not guarantee paid maternity leave for others, and that in the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the workforce have dropped 4 percentage points.
Rita then asked: How are these 3 extraordinary freelance journalists making a living?
Marcia has been writing books, speaking, and has been editor in chief of several magazines after she left Ms. She spoke about how with doing public speaking, the demand for you shifts over the years and how with even a large book advance, it is sometimes disappointing to still not have a monthly paycheck.
Courtney writes a biweekly column for the American prospect, writes books, blogs for Crucial Minutae and Feministing.org and has several consulting gigs at a time. Courtney pointed out that freelancing is difficult, and that many people have a parental safety net or savings in case of emergencies.
Courtney also spoke on the importance of keeping a regular, balanced work schedule. She works 9 to 6 and often meets up with other freelancer friends at the New York Public Library in a wireless-free room without the Internet surfing distractions.
Cindy balances freelancing full time with family time as she is raising two teens. She recommends nonprofit gigs, which pay awfully well, and also teaches part-time at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Cindy says she has many Chicago connections from working at the Tribune, Sun-Times and Chicago Parent, and that has helped tremendously. She mentors other freelancers and welcomes questions about the freelancing life. She says it is a wonderful life.
Rita then posed the question of how do you have a life when the basic business plan in journalism today is to pay the journalists as little as possible and work them so hard?
Marcia says, "We often get caught up in the essentialness of our work, and that’s when publishers can really take advantage of you. I was real clear about turning the lights out on work sometimes. We have gotten something as women that we have bought into the male model for how to do things. It doesn’t work. We really need to – I’m only here for 2 seconds on this planet, and you have to figure out what is important to you."
Courtney says, "One of these things that keeps me from working all of the time is that I have an amazing partner...y work is so much my life; I write about stuff that I care so much about. The work/life thing is something that’s really hard to wrap my mind around. It’s a beautiful problem to have, that I love what I do and the people I work with."
There was also much discussion about maintaining work/life boundaries, but also occasionally working late to meet deadlines -- within reason.
An audience member brought up the need for senior staff to set reasonable work hours and live that example for junior staffers. "You've gotta carry as you climb."
Health insurance came up! Most of the panel pays for it out of pocket, ranging from $240 to $800 and month and deductibles as high as $5,000.
An audience member asked the panel how much time they spend on self-marketing. All of the panelists agreed it's important to build personal relationships so you don't spend too much time on cold calling and writing pitch letters cold.
Mary Kay Blakely ended the session by talking about when her sons were young (and she worked from home) she had a note about "Deadline Day" on the bathroom mirror, and the boys knew that meant, "Be quiet or die." This got a big laugh from the audience, and she said it fostered for the future generation support for women working from the boys and their friends as they grew up.
Rita began the session by pointing out that only the US, Papua New Guinea and Swaziland do not guarantee paid maternity leave for others, and that in the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women in the workforce have dropped 4 percentage points.
Rita then asked: How are these 3 extraordinary freelance journalists making a living?
Marcia has been writing books, speaking, and has been editor in chief of several magazines after she left Ms. She spoke about how with doing public speaking, the demand for you shifts over the years and how with even a large book advance, it is sometimes disappointing to still not have a monthly paycheck.
Courtney writes a biweekly column for the American prospect, writes books, blogs for Crucial Minutae and Feministing.org and has several consulting gigs at a time. Courtney pointed out that freelancing is difficult, and that many people have a parental safety net or savings in case of emergencies.
Courtney also spoke on the importance of keeping a regular, balanced work schedule. She works 9 to 6 and often meets up with other freelancer friends at the New York Public Library in a wireless-free room without the Internet surfing distractions.
Cindy balances freelancing full time with family time as she is raising two teens. She recommends nonprofit gigs, which pay awfully well, and also teaches part-time at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Cindy says she has many Chicago connections from working at the Tribune, Sun-Times and Chicago Parent, and that has helped tremendously. She mentors other freelancers and welcomes questions about the freelancing life. She says it is a wonderful life.
Rita then posed the question of how do you have a life when the basic business plan in journalism today is to pay the journalists as little as possible and work them so hard?
Marcia says, "We often get caught up in the essentialness of our work, and that’s when publishers can really take advantage of you. I was real clear about turning the lights out on work sometimes. We have gotten something as women that we have bought into the male model for how to do things. It doesn’t work. We really need to – I’m only here for 2 seconds on this planet, and you have to figure out what is important to you."
Courtney says, "One of these things that keeps me from working all of the time is that I have an amazing partner...y work is so much my life; I write about stuff that I care so much about. The work/life thing is something that’s really hard to wrap my mind around. It’s a beautiful problem to have, that I love what I do and the people I work with."
There was also much discussion about maintaining work/life boundaries, but also occasionally working late to meet deadlines -- within reason.
An audience member brought up the need for senior staff to set reasonable work hours and live that example for junior staffers. "You've gotta carry as you climb."
Health insurance came up! Most of the panel pays for it out of pocket, ranging from $240 to $800 and month and deductibles as high as $5,000.
An audience member asked the panel how much time they spend on self-marketing. All of the panelists agreed it's important to build personal relationships so you don't spend too much time on cold calling and writing pitch letters cold.
Mary Kay Blakely ended the session by talking about when her sons were young (and she worked from home) she had a note about "Deadline Day" on the bathroom mirror, and the boys knew that meant, "Be quiet or die." This got a big laugh from the audience, and she said it fostered for the future generation support for women working from the boys and their friends as they grew up.
Multi-Media Training: Live Blogging with Anh Ly
Introduction to Animation and Graphics on the Web with Anh Ly
I. Introduction to Photoshop
a. A program to edit photos
b. Allows you to enhance, resize, crop, etc.
c. Make sure you “Save for Web” which eliminates extraneous information
that might conflict with web content.
d. Adjust levels to change brightness
II. Flash
a. Importing photos from photoshop into FLASH.
b. NOTE: check out soundslides for another option (www.soundslides.com)
c. Important components: stage (where work is created), timeline (where
you want things to happen)
d. Library allows you to see and store the pictures you wish to work
with.
e. You may need to change the stage-size.
I. Introduction to Photoshop
a. A program to edit photos
b. Allows you to enhance, resize, crop, etc.
c. Make sure you “Save for Web” which eliminates extraneous information
that might conflict with web content.
d. Adjust levels to change brightness
II. Flash
a. Importing photos from photoshop into FLASH.
b. NOTE: check out soundslides for another option (www.soundslides.com)
c. Important components: stage (where work is created), timeline (where
you want things to happen)
d. Library allows you to see and store the pictures you wish to work
with.
e. You may need to change the stage-size.
Multi-Media Training: Live Blogging with Sandra Fish
Social Networking, Blogging, and Twittering with Sandra Fish
1. Linked-in (www.linkedin.com) can be very helpful. Include a note if this
person is from the way-past.
a. Search engine within linked-in can be helpful.
b. Do it!
2. Gotta LOVE Facebook. Now you don’t need an .edu address.
a. Keep it private
b. Keep it clean
c. It is useful to keep up with folks. Connect with people you haven’t
seen in 20 years or more
3. Twitter
a. Sort-of like mini-blogging
b. Used heavily in recent conventions
c. Text message about what people are saying about Obama’s speech (how
are people reacting)
d. Sort of a constant react….immediate news, etc.
e. Rocky Mtn News had one link that was nothing but twitter feeding on
their homepage.
f. The message then goes to anyone who is following you…you can exclude
people as well.
4. Blogging
a. Fish has a blogging primer on the JAWS website. Take a look.
1. Linked-in (www.linkedin.com) can be very helpful. Include a note if this
person is from the way-past.
a. Search engine within linked-in can be helpful.
b. Do it!
2. Gotta LOVE Facebook. Now you don’t need an .edu address.
a. Keep it private
b. Keep it clean
c. It is useful to keep up with folks. Connect with people you haven’t
seen in 20 years or more
3. Twitter
a. Sort-of like mini-blogging
b. Used heavily in recent conventions
c. Text message about what people are saying about Obama’s speech (how
are people reacting)
d. Sort of a constant react….immediate news, etc.
e. Rocky Mtn News had one link that was nothing but twitter feeding on
their homepage.
f. The message then goes to anyone who is following you…you can exclude
people as well.
4. Blogging
a. Fish has a blogging primer on the JAWS website. Take a look.
Multi-Media Training: Live Blogging with Roberta Baskin
Speaking on Camera with Roberta Baskin:
“You need your butterflies”
1. Sit up straight
2. Define your space
3. Avoid up-talking (takes away from authority). Use inflection but without taking away from yourself.
4. Breath and space is crucial.
5. Stay quiet when doing interviews. Sometimes space is good and can fill-up things.
6. Get Flip-video for less than $150.00. Great for blogs. Check it out HERE:
7. Don’t wear white, no stripes, no big jewelry (no dangly earrings). “When in doubt, throw it out.” No scarf. Voice should have color and energy. Avoid Black….can do weird things to the camera
8. Over-modulate (within reason).
“You need your butterflies”
1. Sit up straight
2. Define your space
3. Avoid up-talking (takes away from authority). Use inflection but without taking away from yourself.
4. Breath and space is crucial.
5. Stay quiet when doing interviews. Sometimes space is good and can fill-up things.
6. Get Flip-video for less than $150.00. Great for blogs. Check it out HERE:
7. Don’t wear white, no stripes, no big jewelry (no dangly earrings). “When in doubt, throw it out.” No scarf. Voice should have color and energy. Avoid Black….can do weird things to the camera
8. Over-modulate (within reason).
Multi-Media Training: Live Blogging with Elizabeth Daza
Multi-media Training/JAWS 2008
Three Quick Tips for Multimedia Stories on the Web:
1. Knowing what is a multi-media story. (not the same text of the story in two
media elements…there is MORE to it!)
Examples: Showing Chinese consumerism by touring stores, etc.
2. The web IS NOT television. (Examples: A story for National Geographic on the
last-known hunter-gatherer tribe where photos were a bit raw. It’s OK for
things to be raw.
3. Learn to drive people to multi-media. Think about teaser lines…gives them
things that they cannot see…until they hit the website. “See the Greenest
House on Earth.” “The Cost of Raising an Olympian”
Shooting Video with Elizabeth Daza (MSN Money):
Major Dos and DO NOTS
1. Always white balance…program camera to register people in the room…regardless
of the lighting of the room. (Panasonic 3Chip Camera/DVH)
a. Tell the camera WHAT IS WHITE.
b. Zero in on something white and tell the camera… (read manual about making
this happen)
c. Make sure it is registered
2. FRAMING
a. Key for all web work. Make sure there is not TOO much headspace, etc.
b. Man on the street interview: Focus in, zoom in on the person speaking to the
reporter. It is fine if reporter is off-camera.
3. FOCUSING
a. Zoom in all the way and THEN FOCUS. Then zoom out. Your picture will then
be focus despite the zoom…..WOW.
b. This only works if your subject is in one-place…no movement action. If you
are doing movement shots, use the auto-focus.
4. MICs
a. ALWAYS remember to do an audio check.
b. Make sure you HAVE audio. Make sure you adjust audio levels that way. Read
your manual.
c. Never go in the red.
d. If there is an internal mic, think about whether you want to disable this mic
(if you are using a lav). Some of this can be edited post-shoot but not
always…. Sometimes the camera will understand these two audios and convert
them into two channels.
5. GAIN
a. Know your gain function. This can open the camera’s sensitivity to
light….allowing that more light comes into the frame.
Three Quick Tips for Multimedia Stories on the Web:
1. Knowing what is a multi-media story. (not the same text of the story in two
media elements…there is MORE to it!)
Examples: Showing Chinese consumerism by touring stores, etc.
2. The web IS NOT television. (Examples: A story for National Geographic on the
last-known hunter-gatherer tribe where photos were a bit raw. It’s OK for
things to be raw.
3. Learn to drive people to multi-media. Think about teaser lines…gives them
things that they cannot see…until they hit the website. “See the Greenest
House on Earth.” “The Cost of Raising an Olympian”
Shooting Video with Elizabeth Daza (MSN Money):
Major Dos and DO NOTS
1. Always white balance…program camera to register people in the room…regardless
of the lighting of the room. (Panasonic 3Chip Camera/DVH)
a. Tell the camera WHAT IS WHITE.
b. Zero in on something white and tell the camera… (read manual about making
this happen)
c. Make sure it is registered
2. FRAMING
a. Key for all web work. Make sure there is not TOO much headspace, etc.
b. Man on the street interview: Focus in, zoom in on the person speaking to the
reporter. It is fine if reporter is off-camera.
3. FOCUSING
a. Zoom in all the way and THEN FOCUS. Then zoom out. Your picture will then
be focus despite the zoom…..WOW.
b. This only works if your subject is in one-place…no movement action. If you
are doing movement shots, use the auto-focus.
4. MICs
a. ALWAYS remember to do an audio check.
b. Make sure you HAVE audio. Make sure you adjust audio levels that way. Read
your manual.
c. Never go in the red.
d. If there is an internal mic, think about whether you want to disable this mic
(if you are using a lav). Some of this can be edited post-shoot but not
always…. Sometimes the camera will understand these two audios and convert
them into two channels.
5. GAIN
a. Know your gain function. This can open the camera’s sensitivity to
light….allowing that more light comes into the frame.
International Panel: Tips from Q&A
On Finding an Interpreter
From Lois Raimondo:
1. Go to local English classes and observe the stars in the class.
2. Learn from your interpreters (cultural norms and customs). Encourage individuals to "tutor you" on local customs.
From Lois Raimondo:
1. Go to local English classes and observe the stars in the class.
2. Learn from your interpreters (cultural norms and customs). Encourage individuals to "tutor you" on local customs.
Sahar Sarshar gave us some tips on how to tell stories of international women -- locally and globally
- Get to know the culture you're covering and show them that you care and understand their everyday life --- then find the stories that will inspire and motivate them.
- Research is key.
- Take what you present to your audience seriously
- Find stories that can work across cultures and bridge the gaps across the globe.
Sarshar showed us a 30 second clip of an animation bumper VOA created for the Iranian New Year that showed a woman, Ms. Spring, who is so magical she can make the sun shine and flowers bloom with a snap of her fingers.
Here is the Web site for Voices of America.
The women in Paola's book are her partners
She asks them their most interesting stories, interviews them in their first language and only works with women interpreters.
She records all of her interviews, transcribes the work and forms the chapter, and then sends the draft back to the partner in the other country and asks them to correct facts, spelling, etc.
That process has yielded some changes, but surprisingly, not many fact changes, she said. She also has the publisher give the women a copy of the book and allows non-profit organizations to use the photographs she uses in the books.
"it's an interesting collaborative system that really works for this type of project," she said.
She asks them their most interesting stories, interviews them in their first language and only works with women interpreters.
She records all of her interviews, transcribes the work and forms the chapter, and then sends the draft back to the partner in the other country and asks them to correct facts, spelling, etc.
That process has yielded some changes, but surprisingly, not many fact changes, she said. She also has the publisher give the women a copy of the book and allows non-profit organizations to use the photographs she uses in the books.
"it's an interesting collaborative system that really works for this type of project," she said.
Paola Gianturco has written a number of books about women's issues and their triumphs
Celebrating Women
Women who light the dark
Viva Colores
She's telling us about her travels -- and the stories in places like Zimbabwe,, Vietnam and Morocco where women use poetry to bring attention to childhood rape, who use puppets to talk about issues of domestic violence and a theatre group that showed illiterate women the impact of new laws that helped to ensure women were treated the same way as men, respectively.
Celebrating Women
Women who light the dark
Viva Colores
She's telling us about her travels -- and the stories in places like Zimbabwe,, Vietnam and Morocco where women use poetry to bring attention to childhood rape, who use puppets to talk about issues of domestic violence and a theatre group that showed illiterate women the impact of new laws that helped to ensure women were treated the same way as men, respectively.
Honor Killings
Lois Raimondo is showing us photographs from her story on honor killings.
A man gouged out his wife's eyes and sliced off her nose because she wouldn't give him a divorce. Raimondo was at the courthouse when the woman went to trial against her husband. The man, in chains, is shown smirking in one of Raimondo's photos.
His response to how he felt about what he'd done?
"She offended my honor, so I 'm proud of what I did."
The police he was with patted him on his back.
The story ran on the front page of the Washington Post (I'm trying to find the story online) and Raimondo said she felt sick about it and wanted to tell a story about the complexity of honor killings and the people involved.
A man gouged out his wife's eyes and sliced off her nose because she wouldn't give him a divorce. Raimondo was at the courthouse when the woman went to trial against her husband. The man, in chains, is shown smirking in one of Raimondo's photos.
His response to how he felt about what he'd done?
"She offended my honor, so I 'm proud of what I did."
The police he was with patted him on his back.
The story ran on the front page of the Washington Post (I'm trying to find the story online) and Raimondo said she felt sick about it and wanted to tell a story about the complexity of honor killings and the people involved.
International Panel: Live Blogging at JAWS 2008
Not able to make it to NH? Here is the latest from JAWS 2008.
International Panel:
Lois Raimondo (Staff Photog/Washington Post)
Paola Gianturco (Documentary Photog/Author)
Sahar Sarshar (Voice of America videographer and video/radio, Iran Channel)
First up:
Lois Raimondo:
Lois brings us pix from a piece on honor killings in Pakistan. Focusing on one assault of a woman in a rural village, Lois is able to attend the trial conducated by triabl leaders.
"All they wanted was choice." Lois visits a shelter for women and girls.
One young girl is the daughter of a drug-addict father and an imprisoned mother. Another woman is taking shelter from her husband after having an affair. "We are all sisters here," she says.
Next pics show women praying, mutilated women (usually by their husbands), sleeping one on top of another, playing. Another picture tells the story of a woman who had her masters in psych and had a baby....no husband came, no parents came. The hospital staff called the police and she was taken to the shelter. The baby then got sick and eventually died due to neglect. Its mother was very depressed and unable to speak when Lois arrived.
A woman who was raped by her father and bore his two children. Put into the shelter since she had two children out of wedlock.
In summary:
1. honor killings and what is going on.
2. what surrounds this issue. how do women survive? how can we tell the stories of what happened?
Paola Gianturco (Documentary Photographer/author)
Paola was truly affected by Beijing's Conference on the Status of Women. She left her life in business writing and took a one-year sabbatical to look into the life of women in the developing world. Ironically, this all came about as the result of reading an article in The Economist.
First pic: First book looked at women's artisans. Paola has now published various books....the second project arose from the first. As she was packing her camera in Gujarat (India), a woman approached her to offer access and understanding to a festival honoring a goddess. Second book then looked at festivals around the world that honored women. Seventeen were included but there are hundreds more. Together these festivals illustrated something interesting....women were honored for very different things (from reproductivity to warrior-like behavior).
Third book was about the people of Guatemala.....individuals (men, women, and children) rebuilding their lives after the bloody civil war.
Fourth book about women helping others....women helping others with the things that make life dark. Documented 123 women's groups in 15 counties.
Africa: One case in Zimbabwe....the issue of child rape. The new NGO "Girl-Child Network," has 4000 members ages 6-16. These young girls and women wrote poems about these issues....communities were mobilized after hearing of their experiences.
Vietnam: Women healing each other after abuse and domestic violence.
Morocco: Feminists have been working for 25 years to change the family code. Efforts were brought to a halt by Islamist women. King announced changes were momentous including some of the following.
1. men can only legally marry one wife
2. women must agree to be married AND divorced
3. women must inherit the same amount, not half as men.
Issue is that illiterate women don't know of these changes. One woman made it her mission that they be informed. She hired television actors to perform short pieces about these incredible developments...
Slovakia: Roma women facing discrimination. Grant-making organization funds their own projects. One includes a pre-school for Roma children since most Roma children are sent to state schools for the mentally disabled.
Brazil: Life after the favela? Life outside the favela? One woman provides education and arts classes for children in the favelas.
India: How do women and children work for their families? Photos follow children as they work on trains, platforms, etc. Another woman works to bring education to those who would normally only have time to work. Kids are taught hygiene, proper nutrition. Result is that 5000 children have transferred into public school as the fourth grade level.
Please feel free to contact those groups/festivals featured in the books. Check it out at the 'Celebrating Women' website.
Good source is Kavitha Ramdas (?) "Global Fund for Women," now the largest org in the world that gives funding to groups fighting for human rights of women and children.
Work methodology: (paraphrased, obviously) I consider that women in my books are my partners, not subjects. I explain exactly what I'm doing...I invite them to tell THEIR most interesting stories, stories that interest them the most...this can create moving results. I invite women to speak in their own language and use only female interpreters. This sometimes gives me people (interpreters) I'm not very confident about, quite frankly. The chapters are then drafted and sent back to the actual women to be re-read (in translation). This has given rise to very few corrections....(i.e. the correction of a medicinal plant in Ecuador, the spelling of Cameroon to Camerun). All of these techniques lead to a thoughtful collaboration.
International Panel:
Lois Raimondo (Staff Photog/Washington Post)
Paola Gianturco (Documentary Photog/Author)
Sahar Sarshar (Voice of America videographer and video/radio, Iran Channel)
First up:
Lois Raimondo:
Lois brings us pix from a piece on honor killings in Pakistan. Focusing on one assault of a woman in a rural village, Lois is able to attend the trial conducated by triabl leaders.
"All they wanted was choice." Lois visits a shelter for women and girls.
One young girl is the daughter of a drug-addict father and an imprisoned mother. Another woman is taking shelter from her husband after having an affair. "We are all sisters here," she says.
Next pics show women praying, mutilated women (usually by their husbands), sleeping one on top of another, playing. Another picture tells the story of a woman who had her masters in psych and had a baby....no husband came, no parents came. The hospital staff called the police and she was taken to the shelter. The baby then got sick and eventually died due to neglect. Its mother was very depressed and unable to speak when Lois arrived.
A woman who was raped by her father and bore his two children. Put into the shelter since she had two children out of wedlock.
In summary:
1. honor killings and what is going on.
2. what surrounds this issue. how do women survive? how can we tell the stories of what happened?
Paola Gianturco (Documentary Photographer/author)
Paola was truly affected by Beijing's Conference on the Status of Women. She left her life in business writing and took a one-year sabbatical to look into the life of women in the developing world. Ironically, this all came about as the result of reading an article in The Economist.
First pic: First book looked at women's artisans. Paola has now published various books....the second project arose from the first. As she was packing her camera in Gujarat (India), a woman approached her to offer access and understanding to a festival honoring a goddess. Second book then looked at festivals around the world that honored women. Seventeen were included but there are hundreds more. Together these festivals illustrated something interesting....women were honored for very different things (from reproductivity to warrior-like behavior).
Third book was about the people of Guatemala.....individuals (men, women, and children) rebuilding their lives after the bloody civil war.
Fourth book about women helping others....women helping others with the things that make life dark. Documented 123 women's groups in 15 counties.
Africa: One case in Zimbabwe....the issue of child rape. The new NGO "Girl-Child Network," has 4000 members ages 6-16. These young girls and women wrote poems about these issues....communities were mobilized after hearing of their experiences.
Vietnam: Women healing each other after abuse and domestic violence.
Morocco: Feminists have been working for 25 years to change the family code. Efforts were brought to a halt by Islamist women. King announced changes were momentous including some of the following.
1. men can only legally marry one wife
2. women must agree to be married AND divorced
3. women must inherit the same amount, not half as men.
Issue is that illiterate women don't know of these changes. One woman made it her mission that they be informed. She hired television actors to perform short pieces about these incredible developments...
Slovakia: Roma women facing discrimination. Grant-making organization funds their own projects. One includes a pre-school for Roma children since most Roma children are sent to state schools for the mentally disabled.
Brazil: Life after the favela? Life outside the favela? One woman provides education and arts classes for children in the favelas.
India: How do women and children work for their families? Photos follow children as they work on trains, platforms, etc. Another woman works to bring education to those who would normally only have time to work. Kids are taught hygiene, proper nutrition. Result is that 5000 children have transferred into public school as the fourth grade level.
Please feel free to contact those groups/festivals featured in the books. Check it out at the 'Celebrating Women' website.
Good source is Kavitha Ramdas (?) "Global Fund for Women," now the largest org in the world that gives funding to groups fighting for human rights of women and children.
Work methodology: (paraphrased, obviously) I consider that women in my books are my partners, not subjects. I explain exactly what I'm doing...I invite them to tell THEIR most interesting stories, stories that interest them the most...this can create moving results. I invite women to speak in their own language and use only female interpreters. This sometimes gives me people (interpreters) I'm not very confident about, quite frankly. The chapters are then drafted and sent back to the actual women to be re-read (in translation). This has given rise to very few corrections....(i.e. the correction of a medicinal plant in Ecuador, the spelling of Cameroon to Camerun). All of these techniques lead to a thoughtful collaboration.
International Panel
Good Morning!
The first of two morning panels is about to get underway here at the JAWS Fall Symposium. The session, an international panel, will discuss how "international issues are being covered at home, how hard it is to pitch international stories related to women, women reporting overseas and how to find -- and best tell -- the untold stories of women overseas."
The panelists are:
Peg Simpson, freelance writer from D.C.
Paola Gianturco, documentary photographer, author
Lois Raimondo, staff photographer The Washington Post
Sahar Sarshar, videographer for voice of America, and video/radio for the Iran chanel.
We're having a little trouble getting all of the technology in the conference room set up, but things should begin shortly.
The first of two morning panels is about to get underway here at the JAWS Fall Symposium. The session, an international panel, will discuss how "international issues are being covered at home, how hard it is to pitch international stories related to women, women reporting overseas and how to find -- and best tell -- the untold stories of women overseas."
The panelists are:
Peg Simpson, freelance writer from D.C.
Paola Gianturco, documentary photographer, author
Lois Raimondo, staff photographer The Washington Post
Sahar Sarshar, videographer for voice of America, and video/radio for the Iran chanel.
We're having a little trouble getting all of the technology in the conference room set up, but things should begin shortly.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Greetings from New Hamphsire!
Welcome! The Journalism and Women Symposium annual camp is about to begin in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
We've got a great program lineup with panels on multimedia, reinventing ourselves, science/environment/technology reporting, the 2008 election and more. We've also got two great keynote speakers, Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz and Drum Major Institute for Public Policy Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger.
We'll be liveblogging the sessions. Fish also may twitter* from some of them via fishnette (that's her twitter logon). And we'll be using the easy Flip video camera for the two keynote addresses, with video available later Saturday or sometime Sunday in the members-only section of the JAWS Web site.
*On twitter: It's microblogging/text messaging/super live coverage. Posts are limited to 140 characters (that's actually less than a text). To follow and/or post, you go to the twitter Web site and sign up. Then select folks to follow... During the conventions, for instance, Poynter aggregated reporter posts under the name DNCjournalists - search for it, click to follow and you can see all those posts.
If you have questions about all this, add a comment or e-mail sandrafish(at)comcast.net
We've got a great program lineup with panels on multimedia, reinventing ourselves, science/environment/technology reporting, the 2008 election and more. We've also got two great keynote speakers, Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Connie Schultz and Drum Major Institute for Public Policy Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger.
We'll be liveblogging the sessions. Fish also may twitter* from some of them via fishnette (that's her twitter logon). And we'll be using the easy Flip video camera for the two keynote addresses, with video available later Saturday or sometime Sunday in the members-only section of the JAWS Web site.
*On twitter: It's microblogging/text messaging/super live coverage. Posts are limited to 140 characters (that's actually less than a text). To follow and/or post, you go to the twitter Web site and sign up. Then select folks to follow... During the conventions, for instance, Poynter aggregated reporter posts under the name DNCjournalists - search for it, click to follow and you can see all those posts.
If you have questions about all this, add a comment or e-mail sandrafish(at)comcast.net
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