Jan. 5, 2010

FSNE Journalism Contest

The Paul Hansell Award
for Distinguished Achievement in Florida Journalism will be presented at the June FSNE convention. The contest is open to all individuals who write for a Florida newspaper. The winner receives $1,000.

>> More information

Florida Editors:

It’s time again to prepare entries for the annual Florida Society of News Editors contest -- the premier journalism contest in Florida and a showcase for your remarkable work.

For the first time, FSNE is encouraging entries from journalists who are not affiliated with traditional news organizations. Four new categories are open to bloggers and community web-only publications in photography, blogging, news video and homepage design.

>>More information, deadlines and contest categories

FSNE/AAJA Multimedia Skills Workshop

Nearly 100 journalists gathered Saturday, Dec. 12, at the University of Miami for the Florida Society of News Editors eighth multimedia training boot camp.

Participants included journalists from traditional news organizations print, online and broadcast as well as freelancers and bloggers.

The workshop was co-sponsored by the Asian American Journalist Association Florida Chapter, the Florida Press Association and UMs School of Communication. Faculty came from the University of Miami, University of Florida, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Associated Press and The Miami Herald. Coursework included all-day, hands-on sessions in video editing, database reporting and multimedia graphics, and workshops on search engine optimization, legal issues on the web, social media strategies for journalists and marketing plans for freelancers.

FSNE Embraces
Freelancers, Bloggers

In recognition of the changing news landscape, the board of the Florida Society of News Editors has voted unanimously to expand its membership to include journalists who aren’t affiliated with mainstream news organizations, as well as journalism faculty at colleges and universities.

The changes make freelance journalists, journalists working on news websites and community news bloggers eligible for FSNE membership and participation in FSNE multimedia training workshops and journalism contests.

“With the explosion of news on the web, new news sources are being created that don’t fit the traditional mold of a news organization,’’ said FSNE president Rick Hirsch. “Our organization must reach out and include these key members of our evolving craft as we continue to champion the things we’ve always stood for – quality journalism and freedom of information.’’

FSNE has created new online categories in its annual contests. Journalists who are not affiliated with a news organization can enter categories for blogging, photography and video, if they are FSNE members. Also, new categories for best community web site and best use of social media in breaking news have been added.

The creation of an academic membership category recognizes the growing role of journalism academicians in partnerships with news institutions. In South Florida, for example, The Palm Beach Post, South Florida Sun-Sentinel and The Miami Herald work with the University of Miami and Florida International University in a community news bureau.

The University of Florida, which is assisting with a redesign of FSNE’s website, FSNE.org, is creating its 21st Century Newsroom to explore new ways to deliver news in the digital age.

Non-affiliated journalists can join FSNE for $35. For academicians, the fee is $50 for the first faculty member at an institution and $35 for each additional member.

FSNE’s next multimedia training workshop is Saturday, Dec. 12, at the University of Miami School of Communication. Co-sponsored by the Asian American Journalist Association, the workshop provides low-cost, hands-on training. You can find course descriptions and and a registration form here: http://www.flpress.com/Upload/doc/event/29.pdf

FSNE’s 2009-10 Priorities

Florida Society of News Editors’ President Rick Hirsch outlined the priorities of his administration in a recent email to members. He wrote as follows:

“Three weeks ago, we held our annual convention in Palm Beach, and showcased the achievements of our journalists in the 2009 FSNE Awards Program. We also highlighted the challenges facing our newsrooms and our craft in reaching our audiences and finding a solid business future in a time of dramatic change. Our goal is that FSNE be a resource and advocate for both as we go forward.

“Toward those goals, FSNE is undertaking a series of initiatives to add value to your membership and make FSNE an essential weapon in your arsenal for change. They include:

  • Redesigning our website, FSNE.org, so it becomes a member service tool that also showcases excellence in Florida journalism. We’re working with the multimedia program at the University of Florida College of Journalism to develop a site that will allow better presentation, functionality and contributions from members.
  • Exploring the expansion of our membership base to include and support the growing community of online journalists.
  • Providing more low-cost training across the state with new offerings and an openness to partner with other journalism organizations. We plan at least two day-long workshops during the next year, with details on a fall workshop coming soon.
  • Reinforcing our focus on open government, access to public records and the highest possible standards in Florida journalism through Sunshine Week and training initiatives.

“Our 2009-2010 board leadership includes Vice President Jim Baltzelle, the AP’s chief of bureau for Florida, and Secretary/Treasurer Cory Lancaster, managing editor at the Daytona Beach News Journal. Of course, we continue to be guided by executive director Gil Thelen.

“We plan to move forward quickly, because the times demand it. We’ll keep you informed on our progress, and encourage your feedback. Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts on these initiatives and any others you think should be high on the FSNE agenda.

“As tough as things are right now, our ability to make progress with this organization can position all of us — and our news organizations — to be in the right place as the economy improves.”

Rick Hirsch
Senior Editor / Multimedia
The Miami Herald
305-376-3504
www.MiamiHerald.com

Gil Thelen
Clendinen Professor, USF
Executive Director, Florida Society of News Editors
813-974-6783 (O)
813-787-3886 (C)

Florida Society of News Editors launches Freelance Exchange

A new reality of the Florida news business is this: More journalists are seeking freelance opportunities and more news organizations are looking for skilled professionals to take on freelance assignments. Read more

Two Florida Newspapers win three Pulitzer Prizes

Pulitzer Prize winners for 2009 included three awarded to two Florida newspapers. Read more

Commission on Open Government Reform Final Report

The Commission’s report is now final and has been posted to the Office of Open Government’s website.

Changing times, changing name

The FSNE board voted Jan. 21 to change the name of our organization to the Florida Society of News Editors. The name change recognizes the growing importance of online news organizations and bloggers and opens the way to including TV news executives as members. ASNE is considering a similar name change. The FSNE renaming will be followed by an aggressive effort to recruit new blogger, online and TV members. The name change is effective Feb. 20.

A second initiative approved by the board at its meeting in Tallahassee involves our web site. The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications has offered to work with us and our web master Martin Frobisher to increase the relevance, timeliness and utility of our site. Rick Hirsch, FSNE vice president, will drive the project with William McKeen, journalism chair at UF.

Gil Thelen is Clendinen Professor,
University of South Florida and
Executive Director,
Florida Society of News Editors
813-787-3886

Multimedia Training opportunities
in Boca on Feb. 20,
Tampa on March 13.

FSNE is working on two excellent, low-cost training workshops, one in Southeast Florida, one in Southwest Florida.

  • On Feb. 20, FSNE is assisting the Online News Association with ONA’s Parachute Training day at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Based on a survey of journalists in the area, the training will be offered in two tracks. Here's a link to a complete schedule.
  • On March 13 in Tampa, FSNE presents its next all-day multimedia workshop at the University of South Florida. Co-sponsored by the Asian American Journalists Association, the workshop provides low-cost, hands-on training in video, graphics, databases, legal issues, and more. You can find course descriptions and and a registration form here.

Sunshine Sunday

Sunshine Sunday — March 15, 2009.

Statewide compliance audits from October 1980.

Sunshine Sunday

Report archive

©2010 Florida Society of News Editors