The Newsletter of the Radio-Television Journalism Division of AEJMC Vol. 46, No. 3 July, 2007 Jim Upshaw to Receive Ed Bliss Award producer, working for NBC “He believes in the power of journalism . .” News and local stations in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Oakland and By Kim Piper-Aiken Denver. Michigan State University Jim has held leadership RTVJ Division Head 2006-2007 positions in AEJMC, BEA, The 2007 selection committee has awarded RTNDA and uncounted national, regional and Jim Upshaw of the University of Oregon the local media groups. He served as head of the Edward L. Bliss award for Distinguished RTVJ division of AEJMC from 1998-99 and Broadcast Journalism Education. continues to serve on committees, moderate Upshaw has taught at UO since 1992. panels and support the leadership in any way During that time he is credited with revamping possible. the electronic media curriculum to reflect the Perhaps Jim’s colleague Tim Gleason says it current state of the industry. He has taught best: “Jim is an extraordinary colleague and a courses ranging from International Journalism voice of wisdom and reason. He believes in the to Media Criticism to introductory courses in power of journalism and journalism education to production and reporting and everything in make a positive difference in the world. He has between. UO honored him with the Marshall great faith in students and will go to great lengths Award for Teaching Innovation in 2002. A to help them succeed.” former student says, “Professor Upshaw has The award will be presented at the American always been extremely generous with his time, University Reception and Bliss Award his expertise and his support. His actions th Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, August 10 characterize the nature, depth and breadth of from 8:30-10 p.m. in Renaissance West A in the his commitment to his students.” Convention Hotel. Prior to his career in academe, Upshaw was a successful television reporter, writer and See related stories about the Ed Bliss Award on page 2. Head Notes: NOT Business as Usual RTVJ Business Meeting On-Site AND on Friday By Kim Piper-Aiken 12. That pushed everything back one day so Michigan State University our RTVJ Business meeting will be held on RTVJ Division Head 2006-2007 Friday, August 10 at 6:45 p.m. Since the Bliss Award is being presented later at the American We're just weeks away University Reception, co-sponsored by RTVJ, from our annual AEJMC we decided to hold the business meeting on-site convention, set for Washington, DC. As to avoid travel and time conflicts. The you've probably noticed, the convention starts Executive Committee also decided not to on Thursday, August 9 and ends Sunday, Aug. Continued on page 2. See Head Notes 1 July, 2007 Static uweb.cas.usf.edu/rtvj-aej/ Bob Edwards to Emcee the Ed Bliss Award Celebration By Kim Piper-Aiken Morning Edition. Michigan State University Edwards was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and RTVJ Division Head 2006-2007 began his radio career there. Following service as a broadcaster in the U.S. Army, Edwards moved to One of the highlights of the Ed Bliss Award Washington, D.C., where he worked as an Ceremony, hosted by American University in anchorman for WTOP-AM, an all-news CBS cooperation with RTVJ, is an appearance by affiliate. At age 25, he became a correspondent Bob Edwards. Edwards will pay tribute to with the Mutual Broadcasting System. He is a Bliss and welcome family members and RTVJ graduate of the University of Louisville and holds a attendees. master's degree from American University in Bob Edwards is the host Washington. of The Bob Edwards He is the author of two books: Fridays with Red , Show on XM Satellite Radio which chronicled his radio friendship with and Bob Edwards Weekend, legendary sportscaster Red Barber, and Edward R. distributed to public radio Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism. stations by Public Radio Bob Edwards has won the duPont-Columbia International (PRI). Both Award for radio journalism, a George Foster programs feature in-depth interviews with Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting, and newsmakers, journalists, entertainers and other the Edward R. Murrow Award for outstanding compelling figures. contributions to public radio. He serves as national Before joining XM in 2004, Edwards hosted first vice president of AFTRA, the American National Public Radio's (NPR) Morning Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In Edition for 24-and-a-half years, attracting more November of 2004, Edwards was inducted into the than 13 million listeners weekly. He joined national Radio Hall of Fame. NPR in 1974 and was co-host of NPR's The American University Reception and Bliss evening news magazine, All Things Award Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, August Considered , until 1979 when he helped launch 10 from 8:30-10 p.m. in Renaissance West A in the Convention Hotel. The Ed Bliss Plaque Moves to a New Home Head Notes By Kim Piper-Aiken By Kim Piper-Aiken Michigan State University Continue d from page 1 RTVJ Division Head 2006-2007 The old RTVJ - DBJE Plaque is in the charge members an additional fee for this year's engraving shop this week being updated to reflect meeting and A.U. Reception because a formal meal its new name, "The Edward L. Bliss Award for will not be served. Even though the Bliss Award won't be presented Distinguished Broadcast Journalism Education," at the business meeting, we will still present the and its newest recipient, Jim Upshaw. And, beginning in August, the plaque will move to its Larry Burkum Service Awards and research paper awards, and we’ll have some exciting business to new permanent home at the American University School of Communication. discuss. We will also elect our new Division As you may recall, we polled the RTVJ Officers, with Vice Head Mary Rogus from Ohio Membership via the listserve last fall and, based University taking over as Division Head. I would on that discussion, the RTVJ Executive like to personally thank all of this year's excellent Committee voted unanimously in support of the officers for a terrific year. Please plan to attend American University location. In past years, the both the business meeting and the A.U. reception plaque was kept at the Poynter Center. on Friday night during the convention. 2 July, 2007 Static uweb.cas.usf.edu/rtvj-aej/ A Commentary from Abroad American Journalists’ Professional Freedom and Responsibility By Mary T. Rogus in self-defense techniques and protected by the Ohio University military in the field, until she leaves the unit to RTVJ Division Vice-Head cover the rebel movement. When she returns to the military, she’s told there’s no more protection This commentary starts and to beware of friendly fire. with an apology to PF&R In another outer province, reporters and Chair, Joy Chavez Mapaye, photographers are routinely paid by sources to for trampling into her area, cover stories. The stations expect their people to but recent international travels have brought take those bribes because they don’t pay them our Professional Freedoms and Responsibility enough to feed or shelter their families. And if as journalists to the top of my mind. you are a reporter for Aljazeera, you expect to be Intellectually, we know we work in and train hated by virtually every government in the Arab future journalists to work in the world’s freest world for reporting stories that those news media. We all hear the stories of governments would never let state media report. journalists who give their lives just to tell the It might interest you to know that Aljazeera’s truth, including several of our American code of ethics reads nearly word for word like colleagues in places of war or violent conflict. RTNDA’s. But we don’t often think about the day to day The daily battle to be independent, struggle that many journalists around the world professional journalists is often a losing one for face. Values and ethical codes, such as these reporters. For me, the result of these independence, that we take for granted as international journalism exchanges is always to standard operating procedure, are non-existent be immensely thankful that I was a journalist in for many of these reporters and producers. America. But that’s not enough. As journalism In June, I traveled to Doha, Qatar, to do a educators we need to ensure that our students training workshop for Aljazeera. In March, I become journalists who truly appreciate the worked with Indonesian television journalists freedoms and rights they have in this country in Jarkarta, and two summers ago it was Kiev, AND are ready to fight to protect them. Ukraine, working with regional television Journalists in America are under siege more than journalists from across the country. I know they ever have been. Our students now are those some of you have done similar international high school students who two years ago said they training through the State Department or other didn’t think the First Amendment was that programs, particularly in emerging important and they did think the government democracies. should have some control over the press. The stories these journalists tell are There are three PF&R sessions co-sponsored stunning. In Ukraine, advertising is not by the RTVJ Division which will help all of us to allowed on the news, so stations make money better prepare our students to fight for their by selling stories. A reporter is assigned to go freedoms and hold the government’s feet to the cover a community picnic to promote a drug- fire.