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The American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) does not endorse any company, product, or service sold by any corporation, institution or member supporting our organization. Corporate partnerships, advertisers and sponsors are not an endorsement of a product or service and may not be represented as such, in any way. The use of the ASJA name and/or logo, or representation of such, without the written consent of ASJA, is strictly prohibited.
.MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE NEWS
Seriously. That’s how long it took me to write this. I have had the absolute worst time coming up with an intro to this week’s newsletter. I don’t know why. Everything I try either feels forced or unrelatable or repetitive or insensitive or just plain lame, even things that in other weeks I would be perfectly happy to chat about. It’s kind of like when you’re hungry but there’s nothing you feel like eating. So I’ve been staring at this document for three (insert expletive of choice because it’s necessary) days. Correct me if I’m wrong (actually don’t, if I’m wrong please lie to me) but I’m pretty sure this annoying burnout symptom happens to all writers on occasion. Looking forward to being revitalized and inspired by the ASJA Virtual content marketing track. How about yourself? When’s the last time you stared at a page or a screen praying to the gods of writing to stop forsaking you? And does it also make you want to eat too much pizza? In solidarity and mozzarella, Holly Leber Simmons, ASJA Weekly editor
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We Got A New Home Page! We Got A New Home Page!
ASJA
Any organization building a new website quickly learns that creating an engaging homepage is mission-critical to the project’s success. In fact, that new homepage may be critical to the organization’s continued success, too. Website Committee members Keith Paradise and Darcy Lewis give us a sneak peek at the new homepage. Read more at ASJA Confidential.
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ASJA Virtual Content Marketing Track Starts Today
ASJA
Content marketing folks, your time has arrived! The content marketing track of ASJA Virtual 2021 kicks off today with a keynote speech from Britta Melton of Pace Communications. Look forward over the next few days to killer sessions from “How to Write a Kick-Ass Blog Post” to “The Secrets of High-Income Freelancers.” Stay on track with this agenda on the ASJA website and get a preview from track leader Jennifer Goforth Gregory.
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We Want to See You in Action
ASJA
ASJA is looking for outstanding photos of members for placement in the banner of the new website — photos showing members in the field, conducting interviews, covering stories witnessing wars, documenting celebrations or scientific discoveries, writing, collaborating, you name it! Send images and questions to Arielle Emmett at aemmettphd@gmail.com
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Updates From the PRO-Act Frontlines
ASJA
In the last week, Senator Manchin (WVA) and Senator King (ME) signed on as co-sponsors of the PRO Act. Senator Schumer said he'd bring it to a floor vote if it gets 50 co-sponsors. The holdout Democrats are Senators Kelly and Sinema (AZ) and Senator Warner (VA). Fight for Freelancers USA launched a Right v. Wrong video series to bring attention to the ABC test issue. Please view and share the videos with your legislators: https://fightforfreelancersusa.com/videos/ along with press releases, on the press release section of the same site. Find sample tweets on Twitter at @Freelancers_USA.
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Prospective New Members Listed
ASJA
Another new group of applicants for membership in ASJA has passed the Membership Application Committee's review and the list of prospective members has now been posted. Active members may review the list and send any comments to the asjaoffice@asja.org no later than May 2. All comments will be sent to the Application Committee for consideration and will be kept confidential.
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Are You Reporting on Threats to Journalists in the U.S.?
ASJA
The U.S. Press Freedom Accountability Project, a collaboration between the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and the News Leaders Association (NLA), offers grants for between $2,000 and $5,000 to journalists reporting on threats to journalists in the U.S. The reported piece must already be accepted for publication in order to be eligible.
Next deadline is May 21. Get more information and complete the application here.
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Meet Amazing New Clients at Tele-Connections
ASJA
The line-up for Tele-Connections on May 24 and 25 is STELLAR, including publications such as Scientific American, Parents, the Boston Globe Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, MIT Technology Review, Shondaland, and Fodor's Travel, the content marketing agency IMP-SF, and a slew of terrific book agents. See more on the line-up here. The lottery for meetings opens 9 a.m. Eastern on Monday, May 3 and remains open until 9 p.m. Eastern on Friday, May 7. The first step is to pay your registration fee here. Questions? Email co-chairs Jeanette Hurt at jeanettehurt@sbcglobal.net and Erin O'Donnell at erinod1@gmail.com.
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ASJA Volunteer Opportunities
ASJA
• Grants Committee – Research and apply for grant opportunities on behalf of ASJA. No grant writing experience required! Contact Katie Navarra at asjaoffice@asja.org.
• First Amendment Committee – Review First Amendment Issues and/or represent ASJA in a multi-organization fighting book bans by government-run bodies. Contact JoBeth McDaniels at asjaoffice@asja.org .
• SIG (Special Interest Groups) – Lead special interest groups. Looking for someone to lead sessions on Word Press, health writing and content marketing. Contact Jennifer Billock at jenniferjoanbillock@gmail.com.
• Virtual Pitch Slams – Find editors for monthly pitch sessions and handle registration logistics. Learn more about the program here. Contact Wendy Helfenbaum at wendy@taketwoproductions.ca.
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Member News
ASJA
Do you have professional news you'd like to share with the group? A new job, a story you've published (in article, blog post, book, cave painting, etc. form), a new project you've launched, an interview with someone fascinating, a speaking gig? Send your news (50 words or less) and a link if applicable to Holly Leber Simmons, ASJA Weekly editor at hello@redpeneditorial.co (that's .co like Coco Chanel).
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During COVID, journalists were less packaged. Let's keep it that way
Nieman Reports
Issac J. Bailey writes, "Every Tuesday and Thursday, back around 2002, I would wrap my son in warm clothes and tuck him into a covered car seat. Only his little face would be showing as I’d snap the seat out of its base after arriving at the Centex offices in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to wait in the lobby of the area’s largest homebuilder for an early morning interview with the CEO."
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Do newsrooms have to be in … newsrooms?
Poynter
Facts took a bit of a beating in 2020. Let’s turn the page and celebrate the truth! United Facts of America, brought to you by PolitiFact and the Poynter Institute, is a celebration of fact-checking featuring some of the most important voices in media, health care, politics and technology.
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What it looks like to decenter the official story
Columbia Journalism Review
Camille Bromley writes, "Among the many browser tabs I toggled between yesterday in nervous anticipation of a verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial were two video livestreams. One showed a static, unfocused close-up of the Minnesota state seal, at the courthouse. The image was quiet, still, neutral-looking, as if the world were waiting in silence for the judge to appear and make a definitive pronouncement of the truth. This video was from the New York Times."
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Tip: Overcome writer's block
Journalism.co.uk
Writer's block happens to the best of us. What can you do to get the creative juices flowing?
Margery Bayne for The Writing Cooperative provides guidance in formulating the first few words. She agrees that the opening is often the most intimidating place to start. When in doubt, strip it down to its basics and build it up afterwards.
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Why we need a new local language of climate change reporting
Reuters Institute
The story of climate change is a global one. But journalism often reflects the priorities, perspectives and interests of the rich countries, which are both the world’s largest polluters and those with the financial and political power to effect change, if they decide to do so.
The Reuters Institute specializes in creating conversations with journalists around the world.
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Decoding how news consumers interpret information
International Center for Journalists
For more than 15 years, Global Voices has worked with local journalists, translators, activists, researchers and civil society actors around the world to promote understanding across borders. The newsroom produces stories that incorporate important regional context, enabling readers to acquire a greater understanding of different societies and cultures.
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No, Americans haven't abandoned journalism values like transparency and oversight
Nieman Lab
A few months ago, a group of researchers was interested in finding out whether or not Americans supported what they considered five “core journalism values.” So they surveyed 2,727 Americans and asked whether they agreed or disagreed with 20 different statements. This was one of them: "We need to put a spotlight on problems in society in order to solve them."
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