Workplace design, which refers to organizing and designing your tasks and workflow to maximize performance and safety of tasks, is often made to relieve stress. Therefore, it should be practiced in newsrooms; which are very stressful in their own right. However, it often isn’t, and Jane Elizabeth says that’s a problem. Lots has been written…
Author: alaskapressclub
Getting started on the crime and courts beat
Crime reporting is a high pressure job. Local journalists who cover crime stories share their best practices for acing the crime beat. Alaska’s News Source investigative reporter Daniella Rivera and Homer News’ Megan Pacer used strict daily schedules for years to stay on top of police and courts news. Charging documents matter— know which you…
How to get ideas for coverage and reach more people by asking your audience
Social media presents a challenge to the traditional role news organizations have played as gatekeepers of information — anyone with a smartphone can now engage in public discourse. But by submitting questions to the public in “callouts,” newsrooms can find valuable new leads and gain a deeper understanding of what the public needs. “We can…
A New York Times reporter’s techniques for writing human stories on deadline
Deadlines are the bane and lifeblood of reporting. New York Times reporter Sarah Mervosh has created several routines and checklists to help. “I think we all want to tell stories about real people and the human element,” Mervosh said. “That’s probably why a lot of us got into journalism.” Mervosh shared the techniques she uses…
Fairness in criticism with Sam Sifton
Sam Sifton’s experience is in restaurant reviewing, but the lessons from his Alaska Press Club presentation on fairness in criticism can be applied to all kinds of reporting. Sifton is a national editor at the New York Times, where he has served as the culture editor and food reviewer. Alaska journalist Julia O’Malley introduced Sifton,…
#AKleg covered! State government 101 with Chad Sant
Jan. 14, 2021 – In this recording, Alaska Press Club members heard from Chad Sant, a former educator in the Anchorage School District who taught government, U.S. history, debate and more for nearly three decades. Sant’s presentation covered the basics of the legislative process and how to use the legislature’s website to gather information about…
#AKleg covered! State budget basics with Larry Persily and Tim Bradner
Dec. 11, 2020 — In this recording, Alaska Press Club members heard from Tim Bradner, co-owner of the Alaska Legislative Digest, and Larry Persily, UAA’s Atwood Chair of Journalism. The pair discussed where the money comes from that is so heavily debated during session, as well as pitfall journalists should avoid while covering the state…
Connecting with community: A journalism workshop series
Knowing the communities you serve increases trust and supports public participation. Enhance your skills in doing journalism that generates stronger relationships, mutual understanding and empathy with communities so everyone thrives. This series is presented by Alaska Press Club and the Alaska Humanities Forum. The Sixth W: What’s Possible Now? Listening to what’s possible leads to stories that give life…
Introducing a UAA journalism class designed for working professionals
UAA’s Journalism and Public Communications Department — in collaboration with the Alaska Press Club — is excited to offer an online professional development course this spring semester, taught by a team of local and national guest professionals who will provide a range of digital skills training. This course, facilitated by Elizabeth Arnold, is designed for professionals in journalism and strategic communications and…
#AKleg covered! With Alaska Legislative Librarian Jennifer Fletcher
Nov. 12, 2020 – In this recording, Alaska Press Club members heard from Legislative Librarian Jennifer Fletcher on how to fine-tune research and navigate the legislature’s website as #akleg season approaches. Fletcher provided some tips to reporters on streamlining questions and ways the Legislative Library can assist with research. “We treat all requests as confidential,…
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