Our humanities scholar Dr. Maria Vesperi supplied the following resource lists to attendees:
Resouces for community news contributors
We hosted six Public Newsroom Forums. You will find the recordings below.
Forum #1: The Local Media and Me
Community journalism is a unique and nuanced form of journalism that calls for explanation. The characters are different, the stakes are different, and the audience served is different than that of a larger news outlet. Panelists and audience members will explore fundamental questions around potential differences and news judgment: What is news? How do we judge if a story is newsworthy? What is the role of a reporter in the local community? How can news consumers turn into news producers?
Facilitator: Maria Vesperi – NCF Anthropology Professor
Panelists: Johannes Werner , WSLR News Director, Carrie Seidman , Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Dawn Kitterman , The Bradenton Times
VIDEO
Forum #2: Introduction to Community Journalism
Community journalism is a unique and nuanced form of journalism that calls for explanation. The characters are different, the stakes are different, and the audience served is different than that of a larger news outlet. Panelists and audience members will explore fundamental questions around potential differences and news judgment: What is news? How do we judge if a story is newsworthy? What is the role of a reporter in the local community? How can news consumers turn into news producers?
Facilitator: Johannes Werner — WSLR News Director Johannes Werner
Panelists: Kerry Sheridan — reporter and co-host of “All Things Considered” at WUSF Public Media; Eric Garwood — executive editor of the Community News Collaborative; Endera Allen Stevens — growth manager of Northend Agent’s, Connecticut’s largest and longest-published African American newspaper.
VIDEO
Forum #3: Thinking Like a Journalist
Learn techniques for finding credible information and gathering insights from people in your community.
We’ll explore the most important tool in a reporter’s toolbox: The interview. How does a reporter conduct a successful interview? How does a reporter conduct comprehensive research to make sure a story is on solid footing? How does a reporter decide how to best share stories and information in the community?
Facilitator: Kathleen Murray , WSLR Communications Director – Murray has a journalism degree from Syracuse University and is an award winning journalist with more than a decade of experience reporting, writing and editing for media outlets in both national/ international markets.
Panelists: Billy Cox – retired features reporter- Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Renee James Gilmore – executive producer, “Empowering Voices” on ABC7; Carrie Seidman – opinion columnist for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune; Juan Pablo Salas – Solmart Media’s News Director
VIDEO
Public Forum #4: Working a Beat
This forum will explore tactics and skills necessary to own a beat in your town. What is a beat? How does a reporter find news off a beat? How do you develop official and unofficial sources? How do you decide what are the best stories off a beat? How do you go from idea to pitch?
Facilitator: WSLR Communications Director Kathleen Murray
Panelists: Tom Bayles , WGCU’s senior environmental reporter; Samantha Gholar , social justice reporter for USA Today network; Steven Walker , the education reporter for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.