News & Upcoming Events:

Paid scholarships for students

The Watchdog Institute, a new nonprofit investigative journalism organization at SDSU’s School of Journalism and Media Studies, and the San Diego Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists are excited to tell you about paid scholarships for a special training opportunity for journalism students.

The training is a five-day boot camp in computer-assisted reporting. Skills taught in this camp are essential for journalists who want to do precision reporting deepened by data analysis and intense Web research. Reporters with data chops are in demand, even in today’s job market!

The institute is sponsoring the camp with NICAR, National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting, based at the University of Missouri. Instead of asking students to travel there, NICAR trainers have been taking it on the road for a very reasonable price. Students can enroll for $500.

Thanks to the generosity of the SDX, the foundation of the local SPJ chapter, two students will be awarded free scholarships to the camp.

The rules follow:

Submit a composition of no more than 500 words explaining 1) why you believe CAR skills are valuable for a journalist, and 2) how you would make the most of the skills.

Include your name, address, email address, phone number, school you attend and projected date of graduation. Students who are graduating this Spring are eligible to apply.

Please email your submission to loriehearn@watchdoginstitute.org by May 15. Applications will be judged by members of SPJ and the Watchdog Institute. Winners will be notified by June 1.

The Watchdog Institute, which opened at San Diego State in November with a team of four professional journalists, produces data-driven investigations for media partners in print, on radio and television and online. Another element of our mission is to mentor the next generation of investigative journalists. The NICAR training should equip participants with skills that will distinguish them in the job market.

Please encourage your students to apply for this training. We hope this will be the first of many opportunities!

Previous Events:

Can We Talk Off the Record?

View a summary (PDF)

The First Amendment, Freedom of the Press and the Future Journalism

Click here for more details (PDF)

LEARN SECRETS OF GETTING A MEDIA JOB
Oct. 23, 2008 - 6 to 8 p.m.

Pros are coming home to share job-search skills with
students of SDSU & local high schools
By Andrew Kleske

Click here for more details (PDF)

Plenty of SDSU graduates have made names for themselves in the media community and on Oct. 23 they'll come back to campus to discuss how they did it and how students can too at the "Pros Come Home" event sponsored by SDSU's Friends of Journalism and Media Studies.

Reporters, editors and new media producers from TV, radio, print and web-based news organizations, as well as public relations professionals and public information officers, will discuss the challenges ahead and opportunities available as the media environment changes.

Panelists include:
Sam Hodgson, Voice of San Diego, digitial journalist
Bill Degischer, KGB Sales, radio and sports marketing
Audra Stafford, 10News digitial correspondent and producer
Jeremy Pfouts, SDSU journalism major, news anchor and reporter at AM 600 KOGO Radio
Fred Norfleet, independent broadcast producer
Megan Russell, North County Times copy editor
Carlos Delgado, Media Relations Officer, Rady Children’s Hospital & News Reporter, Channel 6
Darren Pudgil, Director of Communications, Office of Mayor Jerry Sanders
Cliff Albert, Program Director AM 600 KOGO
Gayle Falkenthal, APR, The Falcon Valley Group
Eric Longabardi, TV producer, investigative journalist
Andrew Kleske, San Diego Union-Tribune, principal content producer
Joe Guerin, Editor, The Daily Transcript
JW August, Managing Editor, KGTV

FOJ will also use the event to launch its new mentoring program that will pair students due to graduate soon with professionals in the field. Download the mentorship letter.

The event will be held Oct. 23 from 6 to 8 p.m. at SDSU’s Hall of Fame, Aztec Athletic Center, at 5302 55th Street, across the street from Cox Arena. Parking is available in nearby Parking Structure 5 at the corner of Montezuma Road and 55th Street.

FOJ Set to Unveil Media Lab of the Future
Oct. 30, 2007

Related Link: Duke University’s “The Next Newsroom” project:

(Event scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 1)
By JW August

What is the future going to look like? Your Friends of Journalism and Mass Media Alumni Association have been working over a crystal ball coming up with a blueprint to the future. We think it’s in these pictures. These are SDSU Art & Architectural students who are members of design teams creating five different prototypes of a media learning center for SDSU. The students spent time at 10News, the Union Tribune and SignOn San Diego to get a feel for what today’s working newsrooms are like. Their task was to take what they learned in the newsrooms, combine it with research done by FOJ board members and some guidance from the SDSU Media Studies professionals and create the prototype of a 21st Century media center. It’s a place where public relations and marketing students, print students, broadcast and internet students, are exposed to the new world of telecommunications.
Learn all about the future when the winning design is unveiled at KPBS Studios on November 1st. All past and present FOJ members are welcome to attend.

On ITV
(Cable 16 on all carriers except Adelphia where it is 67)
April 4 @4pm
April 8 @3pm

Local newsmakers grade the media
By Jodi Cleesattle, San Diego Pro Chapter (www.sdspj.org)

San Diego newsmakers went easy on the press – more or less – at this year’s annual session of “Grading the Media,” sponsored by the San Diego Pro chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. (see full article)

The San Diego Press Club is planning its annual “Salutes” event for Sunday, May 6,and this is one event you will not want to miss!
Now in its third year, Press Club “Salutes” honors an individual (or individuals) whose careers have made a significant impact on San Diego journalism and media.
The theme for this year is: 

 “BLASTS FROM THE PAST”
San Diego Press Club Salutes Radio Legends

And, what a celebration it will be.  Golden Oldies, political asides, and one wacky story after another by the likes of rock jocks Harry “Happy Hare” Martin, Paul Menard & Jack Woods (of Charlie and Harrigan fame), Jerry G. Bishop, Joe Bauer (Hudson & Bauer), Bill Gordon, Ernie Meyers, and radio newsman Reid Carroll. These were the personalities that took center stage in the ‘60s. ‘70s, and ‘80s, combining light-hearted good humor and mischievousness with social activism.

It will be held at San Diego State University on May 6, 2007 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm

Watch the Foghorn and this space for more information. Invitations will be in the mail soon!

REPORT CARD ON THE MEDIA - What Happened
February 8, 2007

Zucchet Reacts to Lam's Resignation
Published: Wednesday, January 17, 2007 11:41 PM PST VOICE OF SAN DIEGO ARTICLE

Report Card on the Media Airs on Channel 4
February 25th @ 4:00pm
March 3rd @ 1:30pm

Michael Zucchet’s demeanor didn’t change last night, but the intensity of his delivery did, when he started talking about U.S. Attorney Carol Lam’s recent forced resignation. “She prosecuted me when she knew my case had no merit, and she is responsible for an injustice to me and my family,” he said. So is he celebrating over her removal? “She is now being called the savior of all that is pure,” he said. “But I am not celebrating. Her firing doesn’t change what happened to me.” He even sounded like he felt a little sorry for her. “Much of what is being said about her is based on an anonymous source to a... read full article

WELCOME DAILY AZTEC CHAPTER MEMBERS
December 13 , 2006

Go Aztecs

It’s exciting news that the Daily Aztec Alumni Chapter has joined forces with the The Friends of Journalism and Mass Media Studies Chapter. FOJ welcomes our newest family members and we look forward to working (and partying) with you in the future. Your ideas and enthusiasm are going to be a great addition.

We are pleased to announce that one of your own, Sam Hodgson, has agreed to become a member of our board of directors.

Feel free to contact us anytime for anything.
Welcome Aboard.

Daily Aztec contd...

REPORT CARD ON THE MEDIA
December 1 , 2006

UPDATE ON WHAT HAPPENED

Here’s a chance to see the newsmakers up close and personal. As well as hear and see what they think about how the local media covered their story.This years event is sure to have plenty of action and interest as the four confirmed panelists to date will have plenty to say.

Panelists will include Mayor Jerry Sanders and former city councilman Michael Zucchet [bio]. Also Xema Jacobson [bio], who is on the Executive Committee of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority, as well as John Jodka.

One of the Marines charged in connection with the killing of a civilian in Hamdania, Iraq, is 20-year-old Pfc. John Jodka. The San Diego native has been in the military for barely a year; he is the most junior member of the squad charged in the incident. Jodka's parents, John and Carolyn, say he hasn't told them much about what happened in Hamdania. But his attorney, Joseph Casas, says prosecutors will have a hard time.

After the grades are passed out the audience members can join in a lively Q & A session. You might want to keep the kids at home for this one.

Seating is limited, so circle your calendar and RSVP to info@SDSUMediaFriends.org. Dennis Morgino will be the moderator for what is sure to be a most interesting hour. 

January 17th @ 7:00pm*
Point Loma Nazarene College
at the Fermanian Business Center

* Event will be videotaped for television playback.
Please be in your seats promptly at 7:00.

This event is co sponsored by SDSU’s Friends of Journalism and Mass Media Studies Alum Chapter

Friends of Journalism and Media Studies welcomes its newest members

	George Lewis - NBC News Correspondent George Lewis is one of NBC News' most-honored correspondents. The winner of three Emmys, the George Foster Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards. more
	John Martin John Martin teaches national affairs reporting at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. In a 45-year career in journalism, he worked as... more

Anyone interested in open records in State Government might want to take a look at a bill working its way through the State Assembly
August 16, 2006

Analysis:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2901-2950/ab_2927_cfa_20060809_152330_sen_comm.html

History:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/cgi-bin/postquery?bill_number=ab_2927&sess=CUR&house=B&site=sen

Latest Version:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_2901-2950/ab_2927_bill_20060807_amended_sen.pdf

A new School of Journalism & Media Studies will be launched at San Diego State University in fall 2007 to offer degree programs in advertising, journalism, media studies, and public relations. The new School is the culmination of a 2006 restructuring of the current School of Communication into two separate academic units, according to... full article...