The Indiana Publisher

Page 2 July 2023 HSPA Board of Directors Board Members Richard Clark, AIM Media Gillian Kelk, Sullivan Daily Times Curt Kovener, e Crothersville Times Laurinda Swank, Indianapolis Business Journal Chris White, e Times Media Co. HSPA Board of Directors Officers President Robyn McCloskey, CNHI Vice President Robert Shegog, Indianapolis Recorder Treasurer Kathy Tretter, Ferdinand News and Spencer County Leader (Rockport) HSPA Foundation Board of Directors Officers President Bill Hackney, e La Porte County Herald-Dispatch (Michigan City) Vice President Tim Timmons, Sagamore News Media Treasurer Don Hurd, Hoosier Media Group HSPA Staff Amelia McClure, executive director, general counsel admclure@hspa.com (317) 803-4772 Pamela Lego, director of operations plego@hspa.com (812) 350-7711 Shawn Goldsby, business manager sgoldsby@hspa.com (317) 803-4772 Ruth Witmer, communications specialist news@hspa.com (812) 855-5898 e Indiana Publisher is published monthly by the Hoosier State Press Association, 429 E. Vermont St. #206 Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 Hoosier State his campus paper, the Daily News, last year and also covered sports year round. In Anderson, Smedley has worked mainly with the sports department. When his internship started earlier this summer Smedley said he was covering high school sports — baseball, softball, tennis — go- ing somewhere new five, six days a week. Since high school sports slowed down, Smedley has been focusing on features. "These indepth features have been a really nice chance to be able to hone in on a particular person," Smedley said. Smedley said he'll be finishing up his internship in late July. He said he's been impressed by the amount of content the newsroom in Anderson produces and has enjoyed working in a professional, efficient environment with George Bremer and Rob Hunt on the sports desk. This fall, Smedley will serve as sports editor at the Daily News and looks forward to applying what he learned at The Herald Bulletin — prioritizing doing the best work his staff possibly can produce like he's seen in the Anderson newsroom. "Kyle's doing a great job for us," said Scott Underwood, editor at The Herald Bulletin. "He is, as many of the interns we've had from this program, really well prepared for it and enthusiastic." Underwood said he wants interns to have an opportunity to learn, experience the newsroom culture and leave with great clips. The interns have a lot to offer a newspaper, too. The students are coming out of college environ- ments with immersive programs and they come with fresh ideas and questions, Underwood said. "That's one of the reasons I love hosting interns — we grow from it," Underwood said. For the second year, Mary Dieter is serving as the HSPA mentor for the interns. Dieter is a freelance writer and editor who, during her 45-year career, worked at the Louisville Courier Journal and as director of media relations at DePauw University. In guiding the students, Dieter said she empha- sizes tenets the young journalists need to follow for the rest of their lives. "A lot has changed in journalism since I was a reporter but certain things never change," Dieter said. The need to pursue accuracy and all sides of the story, knowing AP style, listening well and adhering to a strict ethical code are among the principles she covers. Dieter has been meeting via Zoom with the interns since May 31 where they share their experiences and talk about enduring topics in journalism. She's also available to consult with them individually to work through angles for stories, issues with sources and story ideas. She's a resource above and beyond the editors at their assigned newsrooms. "I want to be there for whatever reason they might need me," Dieter said. She said the news industry is facing challenges but working with aspiring journalists is encouraging. "When you see bright-eyed, smart young people who are really dedicated to the craft, it's heartening," Dieter said. Christina Avery, a student at Indiana University, returned to her hometown of Jeffersonville at the News and Tribune for her Pulliam internship. Avery has covered stories about Juneteenth, the city and county councils, mental health in the Black community and an animal shelter volunteer. "I really like getting to see my hometown through a new lens," Avery said. One of her favorite pieces was an enterprise story in June for Pride Month exploring how local LGBTQ people practice their faith and initiatives that local churches are doing to be accepting and affirming. Avery is a reporter at IU's Indiana Daily Student. She said this internship has been challenging and invigorating. "I'm finding that my passion for what I do is reignited when I get to do it in a new way, in a new format," Avery said. Interns will gain real world experience covering a community that they can take back to their college newsrooms and their careers beyond, News and Tribune editor Daniel Suddeath said. At the News and Tribune, they've also made a point to give Avery a comprehensive sense of how a newspaper works top to bottom, from budget meetings and how classifieds are done to getting the publication to the post office. "We want it to be a robust experience for the intern," Suddeath said. Avery is the first Pulliam intern the News and Tribune has had in about five years, Suddeath said. Southern Indiana is vibrant and growing and there is a lot to cover. Having an intern helps in a newsroom, like every other, that's smaller than it used to be. "Having someone who can step in and fill those gaps is a huge benefit for us," Suddeath said. The Herald Bulletin has had a Pulliam intern several years in a row. The application process is easy and Underwood said other newsrooms would benefit from having newsroom interns. Indiana newspapers will have an opportunity later this fall to apply for summer 2024 Pulliam interns. "It's more than a win, win, win," Underwood said. "It's just a bunch of wins with no losses." Interns Continued from Page 1 "It's more than a win, win, win. It's just a bunch of wins with no losses." — Scott Underwood, editor, The Herald Bulletin

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