Hoosier State Press Association - The Indiana Publisher
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/134992
ROAD SHOW FOR REPORTERS WORKSHOP Database reporting, public access & more! Watchdog Reporting for Every Newsroom The Indiana June 20 • Indianapolis HSPAfoundation.org/ roadshow Publisher Published alternate Thursdays Volume 78, Issue 12 • June 6, 2013 State to study public notices A Speak up now for shield law state legislative summer committee will look at the value of public notice advertising. The Commission on State Tax and Financing Policy has been charged with four topics, including one on the pros and cons of publishing public notices. The Legislative Council, which approved the topics to be studied, hasn't yet made legislator assignments to the interim committees. Last summer state Rep. Eric Turner, R-Cicero, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, led the study committee. Another member was state Sen. Brandt Hershman, R-Buck Creek, who chairs the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. HSPA presumes Hershman will be chairman of the summer committee. Other legislators on the committee last summer included state Rep. Bob Cherry, R-Greenfield; state Rep. Cherrish Pryor, D-Indianapolis; and state Sen. Tim Skinner, D-Terre Haute. HSPA will testify before this committee because its recommendations would likely translate into bills affecting public notice that will be filed for the 2014 General Assembly, said Steve Key, HSPA executive director and general counsel. Voice opposition to subpoenas on journalists' phone records Call your U.S. representative and senators and ask each of them to co-sponsor the Free Flow of Information Act. Publishers can use the U.S. Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121. I n light of the recent U.S. Department of Justice move to subpoena phone records of journalists, the time is right to call once again for passage of the Free Flow of Information Act. A reporter shield law should not be a partisan issue for Indiana's delegation to Capitol Hill. Gov. Mike Pence, a Republican and the original author of the legislation, and Democratic President Barack Obama have called for its passage. The Hoosier State Press Associ ation urges member newspapers to contact their U.S. representative and senators by calling the U.S. Capitol switchboard – (202) 224-3121 – and asking him or her to co-sponsor the Free Flow of Information Act, H.R. 1962 (for representatives) or S. 987 (for senators). Publishers should ask to speak to the chief of staff or the press secretary to communicate this request. While a phone conversation with key staff is the best approach, members could also send a letter. If you haven't already done so, consider taking an editorial stance on See Shield, Page 4 Don't miss session on database reporting J Register now at ournalists will learn how to build a simple database in an hour to improve their data-driven stories at this year's Road Show for Reporters. The workshop on June 20 in Indianapolis will highlight watchdog journalism. Registration continues through June 14 at www.HSPAfoundation.org/ roadshow. Registration costs just $40. Breakfast, lunch and a 2013 AP Stylebook are included. The 2013 Road Show will include sessions featuring: • How to build a database in an hour for effectively reporting data-driven stories. • Ways reporters can stay on the watchdog beat no matter what their regular assignments. • Information on ob aining t access to public records and what to do if officials turn down records requests. • Ideas on cultivating and keeping reliable sources. The workshop provides excellent training at a low cost for HSPA members. Road Show speakers have a variety of experiences to share with attendees. Indiana Associated Press Man gng Editors and HSPA a i Foundation sponsor the an ual seminar for beginning n journalists and those who want to brush up on musthave skills. In addition, George Garties, The Associated Press' bureau chief for Illinois, Indiana and Wis onsin, will share changes c in the 2013 AP Stylebook. For more information or to download a brochure, visit HSPAfoundation.org/ roadshow or call (317) 8034772. Reporting workshop What: Watchdog Reporting for Every Newsroom When: 10 a.m.-3:15 p.m. EDT Thursday, June 20, 2013 Where: Indianapolis Star Pulliam Producion Center, t 8278 N. Georgetown Road, Indianapolis Cost: $40; includes meals and a 2013 AP Stylebook Registration: www.HSPAfoundation.org/ roadshow Promote news as learning medium Foundation offers free serial story, teaching materials T he Indiana Newspaper in Education Foundation and the Indiana State Reading Association partnered to offer weekly lesson plans for teachers and parents using the newspaper with young readers. Each Monday new lesson plans created by Hot Topics Hot Serials will appear on the HSPA Foundation website for use in the classroom or at home. They include several activities in language arts, math, science literacy, and social studies – plus a writing lesson. "The funding from the Indiana NIE Foundation and ISRA provide new content based on the news, events and anniversaries of a particular week," said Karen T. Braeckel, director of the HSPA Foundation. "It gives teachers and parents a reason to visit our site often for updated material." Teachers also can find an activity sheet of the week, Braeckel said. During the summer months, the lesson plans will change biweekly. "We hope our member newspapers will run reminders about the material periodically," Braeckel said. "They can publish the link on their websites to help teachers and parents find the lesson plans." The HSPA Foundation will send 2x2s and other small ads to newspapers to help See Learning, Page 2 Using news in classrooms Promote lesson plans using the newspaper to teachers in your area. They're free and new each week (bi-weekly during the summer) on the HSPA Foundation website. Direct area teachers to www.HSPAfoundation.org/ newspaper-education. Click on the Use the News link.