AAJA Experiences

Sarah Eden Wallace sketches the AAJA Convention

aajaconvention — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 18:28:13 -0400

Sarah Eden Wallace sketches the AAJA Convention:

AAJA Ford Fellow Sarah Eden Wallace has sketched out her experiences at the 2011 AAJA Convention in Detroit. We’ve posted them, as well as her commentary, on the AAJA Convention Tumblr page!

UNITY in Las Vegas!

aajaconvention — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:42:36 -0400

It’s not too early to start thinking about the UNITY Journalists of Color Convention in Las Vegas next year! Save the date for Aug. 1-4, 2012. This will be the place to find a job in journalism, get the most innovative training in journalism and connect with your fellow Asian American, Hispanic and Native American journalists. Come find us at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center. To stay in the loop, join our Facebook group UNITY Convention 2012: Las Vegas.

— Sunny Wu

Beyond AAJA: Fellows Connect on Social Media

furhanaafrid — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 00:18:33 -0400

You are unpacking from your AAJA experience in Detroit. You have tips on all things journalism, job leads, a stack of business cards and the desire to stay connected to your journalism peers.

In the last several hours, I read several e-mails from AAJA Ford Fellows who wished they had all met at the convention together and cultivated relationships.

So I created a Facebook Group for the fellows and we now have nearly 30 fellows eager to network and discuss their AAJA experiences.

Here are some tips to nurture your new and established relationships:

Social Media Meet Ups: Develop your relationships virtually. The world is a global village. Join the Facebook Ford Fellows group. http://on.fb.me/nJmBjg

Take Notes: As the days go by, you are likely to forget some or many of the conversations you had with your journalism peers. If you’ve scribbled on business cards and stickies, now is the time to transfer them and highlight the important conversations for follow-ups.

Thank You Notes: If anyone has made an impression on you, offered to help in any way, please say “Thank You.” It’s an under-utilized gesture and one that helps to make you stand out from the crowd.

Pick Up the Phone: Take your virtual conversations off-line. There’s nothing like hearing someone’s voice or seeing them on the other end of the communication line. Whether you use a mobile device, a traditional phone or Skype, make human contact.

— Furhana Afrid

What Panels Should We See at the Next Convention?

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 20:55:10 -0400

How are you going to scale your website? What’s your revenue model? How much overhead does your startup have?

These were just a few questions and issues that were thrown out during Friday’s panel, “Journalists As Entrepreneurs: A Pitchfest.” (While I didn’t attend that morning’s “Funding Innovative Ideas Workshop,” one person who attended both said they were very similar.)

It’s notable just how panels at the AAJA convention continue to evolve and change. When I attended my first AAJA conference, panels were just starting to address the multimedia landscape. Last week, there were two panels dedicated to entrepreneurial journalists or former journalists who are focusing on their own startups.

So what kind of programming does AAJA (or Unity) need at its next convention?

How about a panel that addresses what those startup/Internet buzzwords mean: scale, VCs, angels, series a and b, etc.

How about a panel that coaches attendees how to pitch their ideas.

How about a panel that talks about how first-time entrepreneurs can connect with venture capitalists, angel investors and firms.

How about a networking opportunity with investors or firms who have already invested and launched media/journalism startups.

Those are just a few ideas as AAJA and the convention continues to stay current with the industry and times.

At the very least, the panels should make us sound better than these guys.

-Sunny Wu @skdub | @sportsandfood

A Thank You To AAJA & the Ford Foundation

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:09:28 -0400

Though I’ve been a journalist for nearly half my life, this is my first year joining AAJA and my first convention. I wished I’d found my way to you sooner.

The incredible support, friendship, mentoring and fellowship I discovered here at my first AAJA convention felt like a homecoming of sorts. I’m new to AAJA but old timers and newbies alike made me feel welcomed, and being among you felt more like a rediscovery of a favorite memory than an initiation.

And I learned from all of you: storytellers of all different levels, ethnic backgrounds, media, and geographic locations.

Whether it was ap-by-ap tactics on speedwriting for multiple platforms or the soft skills of how some finesse awkward sitches of stereotyping into narrative gold, by talking and connecting with a body of peeps who embraced our differences through a common goal, I felt inspired and often humbled.

It reinforced my love of the craft, galvanized my sense of why I love to tell stories, but what’s more, it’s was a fruitful reminder of the smart, fun-loving and committed friends from all walks of life and gene pools that I have in my fellow journalists. I feel honored for the inclusion of this event.

The recession has hit most of us hard and I’m no exception. As a writer, I’d always considered myself as a lone wolf. Being a first generation Korean-Canadian immigrant to the US during the worst downturn in 80 years of US history only reinforced this sense.

But here, I understood the joy of connecting and contributing to a chorus of hardworking storytellers not just in the blues but in the refrain of hopes and things to come. This year, AAJA has been a lifeline in keeping me from becoming jaded or discouraged - or going into another field altogether. But that would be too easy of a story.

And great stories defy expectation, give us a sliver of redemption and always offer an ending of a memorable connection or disconnection. I chose to connect.

So thank you, AAJA, for allowing a verdant space in which to embrace and connect with all the differences and freakiness my Asian American background brings and leaving post-it notes for me on how to channel them into narrative gold.

So, thank you to the Ford Foundation for giving me the breathing space to fully dive into this week because without your support, I’d be squirreled away in my room at nights, barfing out copy and pitching stories, to be able to be here. Instead, I was listening. Questioning. Learning. And singing along to karoke.

Most of all, thank you, AAJA, the Ford Foundation, sponsors, my fellow delegates, and my chapter in beautiful Chicago for investing in the time and support in me — and really, all of us — as storytellers to be able to contribute to a richer, chunkier and funkier sense of the human experience through our chosen practice of writing.

I miss you all already.

— Susan Oh

Who Should Really Draw the Line in the Sand?

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:09:00 -0400

David Hunke, president and publisher of USA Today, was the keynote speaker at AAJA’s gala Saturday night.

Hunke gave an impassioned speech about journalism’s core principles: justice, integrity, dignity, truth. He shared a story from his youth, when a young girl decided to “draw the line in the sand” against bullies. It seemed to resonate with all the attendees, who gave him a standing ovation at the end.

But during the speech, I thought about tweeting, “Wonder where Gannett drew the line in the last round of layoffs?”

But I decided it was unfair and snarky, especially without context.

But with a little more room in a blog post, I think it’s a valid question to ask: how will journalism be “all right” — Hunke’s words — if corporations and their executives and boards don’t draw the lines themselves?

For example:

— Just this past June Gannett laid off 700 people, many of them journalists at its community newspapers.

— Gannett has cut 20,000 jobs since Craig Dubow became its CEO in 2005

— Yet, Gannett executives were granted millions in bonuses earlier this year.

Yes, this issue is more complex than what one blog post can address. Yes, public, for-profit companies must answer to stockholders and Wall Street. Yes, journalism isn’t the only industry affected by the down economy.

But let’s not sit in a ballroom and listen to a feel-good speech and not acknowledge that Gannett has angered and alienated many journalists. It has also ended many journalism careers.

Journalism will always be “all right” because there are so many passionate journalists who value information, accountability and the truth. They’re just doing it in different ways — as non-profits, startups, bloggers, entrepreneurs.

They are drawing the line in the sand every day.

What about Gannett? If they did, that would be worth a real standing ovation.

- Sunny Wu @skdub | @sportsandfood

IT'S A WRAP!

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:08:48 -0400

I spent my last day at the AAJA convention attending the “Through the Lens: Vincent Chin’’ photo exhibit and screening at the Chinese American Community Center in Madison Heights.

We were whisked from the hotel to the community center by a fleet of cars from Buick. Pretty impressive and (as my teens would say) cool. And, even more cool was the fact that right before the screening we were fed a delicious Dim Sum brunch.

It was a very informative documentary and even though I knew a lot about the Vincent Chin case it opened my eyes even wider. I am planning to find the film “Who Killed Vincent Chin?’’ so I can view it.

I came back to the hotel and took a long walk (and some well-needed exercise) around Hart Plaza. I couldn’t believe how it had expanded. In fact, downtown Detroit is so different from when I worked at the Detroit Free Press 23 years ago.

The fabulous banquet and gala was the highlight of my day. Sitting in the audience taking in all the awards and all the merriment made me realize how much journalism is an important part of my life and how AAJA is really my extended family.

As I continue to pound the pavement looking for a job I really hope I can find a way back into the industry full time. I would be very sad and really would hate to walk away from AAJA and a relationship that I have spent 23 years cultivating and nurturing.

Happy 30^th anniversary AAJA! I am glad I was able to be a part of this celebration.

A special thanks to the Ford Foundation, without my grant I would not have been able to attend the convention.

— Carol Reynolds-Srot

Ford Foundation Blog wrapping up. Thanks for a great convention!

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:25:50 -0400

Hi folks. Theodore Kim here. To all of our faithful Ford Foundation bloggers: Kudos to all of you for taking the time to blog about your thoughts and experiences. Many of your posts were thoughtful and illuminating.

We encourage you to consider cultivating your own blogs as it always seems to get the creative juices flowing. I’ll make one last sweep of our Tumblr inbox tonight, so if you have any final thoughts you wanted to share, send them in today.

Thanks again, and I’ll see you online!

— Theodore Kim | @TheoTypes

Thanks AAJA and Ford Foundation

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:19:19 -0400

Over the course of several days at the AAJA convention in Detroit, I attended six different workshops, reunited with old colleagues, developed new relationships, received some career advice and even found time to spend a few hours in Canada for the first time in my life.

Yet as I reflect on my convention experience from my home in Minneapolis, I have to say that I feel a renewed sense of passion for the profession I chose.

I’ve been unemployed since January. Yes, I’ve done some occasional freelance work, but nothing that would allow me to make a living. Needless to say, the past few months have been discouraging as I’ve struggled to find a full time job. But after talking with people at the Detroit convention — people who still have the burning desire to tell stories and act as watchdogs in their communities despite the current status of the industry — I not only have a renewed sense of optimism, but I’ve also been reminded that journalism is not just a job, but an important public service. And with this newfound sense of optimism, I can safely say that a career change won’t be in the cards for me anytime soon (despite the warnings of some people during the workshops I attended about how journalism is a dying industry with a broken business model).

So once again, I thank AAJA and the Ford Foundation for making my trip to Detroit possible.

I look forward to seeing some old and new faces next year at UNITY in Las Vegas.

— Delane Cleveland, AAJA Minnesota

Convention is over -- and now what?

aajaconvention — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:19:12 -0400

So folks are filtering back to homes, jobs and schools, and I have a couple more hours to spend at the RenCen before hopping a flight back to Sacramento. If you’re a little younger, like me, and leaving one of your first conventions, you might need to take a few minutes to wrap your head around everything you did and learned. Here are a few suggestions about things to do post-convention (after you get some sleep, and maybe regain your hearing from karaoke) to make sure the experience carries over, courtesy of Bobby Calvan, a veteran newspaper reporter and AAJA National Board rep from the Sacramento chapter:

- Think back on everyone you talked to, go through the business cards you collected, and reflect on those conversations. Jot down a few notes on what you talked about and the advice that was offered, while it’s still fresh.

- Reconnect with the people you met, whether by email or Facebook. For those who really went out of their way to share their expertise, or gave advice that really hit home for you, write them a thank-you note.

- Make use of the stuff you learned in workshops and seminars by putting it to use. If you’re a print reporter who went to an audio session, for example, try using an audio element in an online package, or something that will let you experiment with the new skills you acquired.

- Email the other members of your chapter, who weren’t able to attend, to let them know what workshops you did and that they can contact you if they want to learn more about what you learned. Or gather your notes, and whatever handouts and links were provided, and email those out.

- Reflect on why events like this are important – reminding you about how joyful it is being part of a community within journalism.

This being my second convention, that last part really resonated with me. It was good seeing a lot of the same people from last year in addition to meeting new ones. Detroit was great (“authentic,” as it was described at the gala last night, was a well-chosen word). And thanks again to the Ford Foundation for allowing me to attend.

— Matt Kawahara, AAJA Sacramento

Tips for Great Visual Storytelling

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:11:12 -0400

Storyboard prior to shooting

Know the story you’re going to tell first

Avoid newspaper writing approach of stating the most important thing first - with video, build up to a climax and let it come down naturally. Answer questions by the end.

Don’t give away the story right away. Build up the surprise and interest early, add mystery, raise questions, and then wow them!

Good videos have great sequencing, content, and audio

Audio is of utmost important. Build audio story first!

If the story doesn’t make sense with the audio alone, it won’t make sense when adding in video

Get plenty of details shots

Remember to gather ambient sound and room tone

Go through your interviews, look for the best opening and ending quotes

Sequencing is the key to video!

Watch Hollywood filming for naturally flowing sequences, i.e. wide to tight, tight to tight, medium to wide, etc.

Work on the audio, then visual, then fine tune it all at the end

— Florence Low, AAJA Sacramento Chapter

Watchdog Journalism 101

thistailor — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:09:59 -0400

On Thursday, I also attended a workshop on watchdog journalism. I initially thought the session would discuss the ethics of watchdog and investigative journalism in a digital age. Instead, a reporter, editor and executive from The Detroit Free Press presented a how-101 class.

Jeff Taylor, a senior managing editor, said that even in an age where celebrity gossip generates thousands of hits on a news site, well-written investigative stories, too, draw high readership and high reader interaction.

Investigative journalism doesn’t only mean watching City Hall. It could also include partnerships between a seasoned investigative reporter and one with an expertise in the arts and nonprofits.

Journalists often say they don’t have the time to do watchdog. Taylor said despite writing daily news, journalists must also be creative and carve out the time to stay relevant to their community. You can chip away at a story, one find at a time, he said.

For Jennifer Dixon, investigative reporter, one story led to another. She started with a basic minimal story on how much pensions were costing the city, which led to articles on middle men hired to pitch deals that fell apart, the deal on the pension lawyer and a follow-up story one year later on how pensions ultimately cost the city $480 million. Her relentless pursuit of the issue led to another infamous one about Mayor Kilpatrick taking bribes.

In honor of keeping watchdog journalism alive, the Detroit Free Press offers a yearly $5,000 award for original watchdog and digital innovation stories, open to all.

— Dominique Fong

What's Your Risk Tolerance? What it Takes to Become a Foreign Correspondent in Asia

thistailor — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:09:41 -0400

I really enjoyed the session, “Working Abroad in Asia or Middle East,” because panelists openly shared personal, lengthy stories about cultural experiences in another country.

Panelists emphasized, first of all, that being a good correspondent means knowing the logistics of working in a rural combat zone: how to dig a latrine, building a fire with no matches, making sure you don’t step in the wrong puddles to avoid cholera.

Beyond dealing with the physical risks of working in a different country, reporters must also balance their reporting with political implications. It can be a moral, ethical and professional dilemma, panelists said. Sometimes, there are road blocks, literally, with child soldiers holding Ak-47s. Other times, being an American during tense political situations can help you across borders or land you in jail.

Then, once you get around to writing the story, often it takes extra effort to stay relevant to American readers. For example, most Americans can relate to a story about China’s emerging middle class. What could be fascinating to a correspondent could also drive away American audiences. Occasionally, however, the news value will trump that fear.

News organizations are looking for people who are culturally aware, bilingual (without an accent) and ready to sacrifice much of a personal life to remain committed to the job.

Even better, said Tomoko Hosaka, a reporter with the Associated Press, go to the country and establish yourself there rather than wait for a news organization to send you, since it’s less expensive for them if you’re already settled.

And surprisingly, foreign correspondence, though cut from many newspaper budgets, is a growing area of journalism.

“If you have those skills, it’s a booming market,” Hosaka said.

— Dominique Fong

Day 4: Last day! HIghlights

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:08:35 -0400

It is a breezy and bright morning for a tour of The Henry Ford Museum. For the first time, I was able to come face-to-face with the chair where Lincoln was assassinated; the original Rosa Park bus (I was able to sit in the very spot!); the White House vehicle where the attempted assassination of President Reagan happened (including the bullet holes); and not to mention…my winning bid to see ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in L.A.!

Thank you to the Ford Foundation and AAJA for the hospitality and growth I have achieved during my time here in Detroit. I made many friendships that will last a lifetime and will carry my new skill-sets with me for the rest of my life!

— Amy Pholphiboun

Day 3: Highlights

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:08:01 -0400

Here are some highlights:

- Nokia N8 is a good basic camera.

- Google+ is a growing medium as competitor to Facebook.

- Did you know…that you can link Facebook and Twitter to talk to each other?

- To enhance memberships…try a monthly happy hour. D.C. Chapter gains 1 - 2 members per meet-up.

- Adobe Audition is available for $35 for non-profits.

- Resource: http://journalists.org/

- Vietnam War and it’s after effects: http://www.vietnamreportingproject.org.php5-21.dfw1-2.websitetestlink.com/

— Amy Pholphiboun

BOOK IT DANO

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:06:53 -0400

FRIDAY: Needed a break from technolgy, so dropped in on session on “How to Write & Publish Your First Book.” Minal Hajralwala, author of “Leaving India: My Family’s Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents,” summed up the process in one sentence: It was hard!” All panelists discussed need to be disciplined and to set deadlines. Also a good agent can make all the difference. How to you find an agent? It’s like dating… one of the panelists said. “you just have to go out and meet them and pick the one that feels right.”

— Esther Wu

Neat Tweets

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:06:31 -0400

FRIDAY: At social Media 1: Status Updates, Tweeks and Geo-What? At last a remedial session for dinosaurs like me. Owen Lei from KING-TV, Jewel Gopawani with Detroit Free Press and AllisonLooney, technology recruiter from Gannett gave an overview of Face Book and Twitter. The session was advertised for newies — and they kept their word They explained how Face Book and Twitter work, advantages and disadvantages of each and why. Jewel explained difference between Face Book profile and public pages. Obviously ethnical reporters would not use materials from someone’s Face Book page without verifying and obtaining permission. Unfortunately there are no rules about using material from Face Book. Allison said we are still in “Gray area” and things may change — but in the meantime we just have to trust reporters not to do anything unethnical. (Tell that to Congressman Weiner!) All three panelists reminded us to NEVER post anything you wouldn’t say in public. Also learn to use the privacy settings to control who sees what you want them to see. Lei uses Twitter to help gather information as well as sources. IE: He used CROWDSOURCING to help Military personnel who may be concerned about getting paid during federal budget crunch. He also tweets when his is on assignment, gives updates as available and right before airtime to remind followers to tune in. I can see how Face Book and Twitter can help reporters gather information. But as Owen reminded us, technology is not a replacement for good old shoe leagther reporting— but it is a great way to generate leads.

— Esther Wu

What's Next?

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:06:10 -0400

Thursday: Checking out “What’s Next for Journalists After the Newsroom?” Blown away by the number of young people in the room. It does not bode well for the 50-Somethings like me if these 20-Somethings are now thinking about life after the newsroom. Panelists Varon Brown, Katherine Lewis, Jennifer Chung and Moderator Ling Liu shared their stories about why they left the newsroom and what they are doing now. VERY ENCOURAGING! All are very successful, no regrets. Only minor concern was when one panelists admitted that she still thinks of herself as a reporter first.

Each said their journalism skills easily applied to their current jos.

Katherine Lewis, a successful full-time free-lance writer said reporters take their skills sets for granted. One example, Reporters are used to making cold calls. Reporters are natural salesmen — we sell our stories to editors, we pitch sources and we talk about our stories. All valued skills.

So there is life after the newsroom.

Esther Wu

Texas AAJA

Panelists

The RenCen

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:05:50 -0400

The strange and beautiful building where we’re holding the convention this year is the Renaissance Center. This city within a city was designed by John Portman in 1976. GM bought it for less than the cost of construction, and then sank a half billion dollars into it. The effect? AAJAers feel like they’re living in a science fiction movies for four days in 2011.

— Shawn Wen

Stepping forward with fellowships

aajaconvention — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 09:05:13 -0400

Imagine journalism with more freedom for ideas and coverage, without the pressures of audience and finance, and a sea of resources at your feet. This is the utopic world of fellowships.

I was so surprised to see such a lack of bleakness in the faces of the panelists as they talked about the opportunities and funding offered by their endowments. Their key tips: Honesty. Write your essays from your own perspective. It will be clear what you think the judges want to hear and what you mean.

Shawn Wen