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This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Publications at Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. It has been accepted for inclusion in Inside Journalism by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Columbia College Chicago. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Inside .Journalls• .\ \'l'" ,lctfl'r Pnhlishcd h~ the Journalism Depart men I of Columhia College Chic.1l,!o Sprin~ 211110 'Newsbeat' goes live twice a week By Regina Waldroup tional news packages. The Hefty black electrical cords show has a mix weave across the floor like snakes. of hard news A luminous silver ladder stands stories, profiles perched in the entry,.vay nearly of interesting touching the stage lights, and beige people and wood-shavings are scattered on the local angles on floor like confetti. national issues. This was a recent scene in the The reporting Television Department's Studio C and producing as workers feverishly labored to skills taught in create the new permanent home of this class are ''Newsbeat," Columbia College's essential for live newscast. competing in ''Newsbeat" debuted in the spring today 's news "Ncwsbtat" reporter Jame~• Martinez {left) joins anchors Jooatbao of 1999 as a 15-minute live news­ environment." A mold (center) and Kathleen Eaton (right) in a read-tbrougb or cast, created by the same students The new class scripts in preparation for the semester's first live ne"·scast. who write and produce "600 is team-taught news magazine that airs on local South," a news magazine show. by two seasoned professionals- cable access stations. "600 The one-year pilot was so success­ Journalism Department Artist-in- South" features more in-depth sto- ful and popular with broadcast Residence Laura Meehan, a week- ries that have a longer shelf life. journalism students that the end news producer for WBBM- Both shows give students an Journalism and TV departments Channel 2, and Bill Zayas of the opportunity for hands-on training decided to offer it as a separate TV Department, ~ veteran of TV in wr(ting, reporting and producing Televison News Practicum class news and entertamment programs. techmques. starting this semester. The show's airtime is expanding Meehan said she looks foiward to Lillian Williams, director of from one newscast a week to the new challenges teaching will broadcast journalism, says the newscasts every Tuesday and bring. She noted that her open lab "Newsbeat" format is appealing to Thursday morning. The original hours on Monday mornings will students because "it offers them student-produced news show, "600 offer students an opportunity to the opportunity to do live reports South," continues to meet on receive additional assistance. " If of breaking news, as well as tradi- Thursday evenings, producing a Continued on page 2

The "Newsbeat" set is checked out by practicum instructor Practicum instructors Bill Z.ayas and Laura l\feeban, of the Bill Zavas of the Television Department. The set is now Journalism Depa.rtment, check out the ""Newsbeat" story· perma.ient- no nted to tear it down and set it up again. board, discussing which stories to select for the ne"'·sc.ast. Page z Inside Journalism 'Newsbeat' goes live "l 'm so excited about the Continuedfrom page I 'Newsbeat' class," said Carolyn Hulse, interim chair of the students need any extra help, I will Journalism Department. "Our always be available to them," broadcast journalism students will Meehan said. "Columbia is going now have a regular opportunity to to be my priority on my three days 0 report live news, in addition to off. news features. For 'Newsbeat,' Both "600 South" and they wi II cover hard news-local, "Newsbeat'' are produced in breaking stories. This is where practicum classes that serve as most of the job opportunities in capstone courses in the broadcast televison will continue to be." journalism concentration. They Williams said the show repre­ give senior majors an opportunity sents significant progress in the to bring together and apply every­ broadcast journalism program. thing they have learned in their "'Newsbeat' has grown from an Reporter t\.fclody Roffman reviews her journalism and television classes. occasional show that I and a few tape to make sure there will be no glitcb­ The courses, listed in the students produced, to having its e.s when tbe. newscast airs. own class, its own studio setup, skills base and prepare them for "Our goal is to be on live and two teachers devoted to the newsrooms." everyday. And I think we newscast. Alumnus Leon Triplett, who was can do it." "We've been working hard to an anchor for "Newsbeat" when it - Luke PalerNIO make sure that all the nuts and first debuted in 1999, said he bolts are in place," Williams said. would recommend the class to all Televison Department, are called "It takes both the Journalism and undergraduate broadcast journal­ Practicum: Producing the News, the Television departments to put ism students. "It gives you an for students interested in producing on productions like this. It gives us opportunity to do on-air, live news shows, and Television News an opportunity to blend our abili­ news," said Triplett. "There's more Practicum, for students who want ties and expertise, and it provides a of an adrenaline rush, more of an to report. forum for an excellent working under-a-deadline style of writing Students who want to participate relationship between the two with a live newscast like in "Newsbeat" in fall 2000 should departments." 'Newsbeat."' register for the Tuesday/fhursday Williams said students who enroll Luke Palermo, interim chair of practicum, which meets from 9:30 in "Newsbeat" will reap a wealth the Television Department, said he a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Students who of real-world job experiences, feels wonderful about working want to work on "600 South" ranging from how to work under closely with the Journalism should select the 6 p.m. to 9:50 deadline pressure to finding Department to produce "Newsbeat." p.m practicum course, which meets sources for a story. They'll deal "I think we are a natural pairing," on Thursday evenings. with issues of fairness, accuracy Palermo said. "We've been doing and unbiased report­ collaborative work since the broad­ ing. cast journalism program began; it's "That's a wonder­ just that it has accelerated a bit in ful experience for the last couple of semesters. students to have," "Broadcast journalism is a big said Williams, a for­ segment of both of our industries, mer TV and newspa­ and it is a large component of both per reporter who of our departments. So, I couldn't joined Columbia be happier that we're doing more College a year and a work together. It's the way it half ago. should be. Our goal is to offer "These students additional sections of 'Newsbeat' will get an opportu­ and to eventually be on live every nity to exercise news day. And I think we can do it." judgment and make Both practicum courses are decisions under repeatable, and Palermo recom­ Journalism instructor Laura Meehan meets w~h "Newsbeat" deadline pressure. mends that students attending producer, LaCael Palmer {left) and Erica Ashburn (right). This will add to their Columbia long enough should try Inside Journalism Page 3 Meehan: Teaching will give me a new challenge Laura Meehan knows a lot about juggling. As a Meehan said she loves her 31-year-old weekend news producer at WBBM­ job because it's so unpre­ Channel 2, she deftly balances a demanding TV dictable. She said she could career, a book club, a tennis league and a marriage. never work in data entry, for Now she's added another element to the mix­ example, doing the same job • artist-in-residence in Columbia's broadcast journal­ day after day. ism program. Meehan spends three days a week Producing is the real teaching the TV News Practicum class, which pro­ "power position" of TV duces "Newsbeat," a live student newscast, and news, according to Meehan, Writing and Reporting TV News. because it provides an Meehan, born and raised in Elmhurst, received opportunity to individually Laura Meehan her 8 .A. in journalism from the University of mold and shape a story. Missouri's School of Journalism in 1990. She says Although TV viewers may never see her on that three words describe her best: Energetic, caring camera, Meehan gets personal satisfaction in and hard-working. knowing that she is responsible for what viewers Meehan has worked as a weekend producer and watch. writer for WBBM since 1993. Prior to that she " \Vhen you produce, you know that all you get is worked as a producer for KFOR-TV in Oklahoma a credit at the end of the show," she said. "So to be City, KXXV-TV in Waco, Texas, and KMOU-TV a producer you need a lot of self-esteem to know in Columbia, Mo. that you were responsible for what got onto the air " I knew that I wanted to be in journalism at an even though millions ofTV viewers may not know. early age," she said. "And I knew that I wanted to "Your colleagues also know when you're a hard produce off the bat. That helped me focus when I worker, and there are awards you can win." In fact, went to college." Meehan was nominated for an Emmy last year. Meehan believes "journalism is a way of learning "Production is a balancing act," she said. "It's about our society and the things around us. Without what I do for a Jiving. I've learned to handle differ­ it, society would not be as enlightened." ent tasks at once. It's a long day, but it's a very When producing the weekend newscasts, a "typi­ rewarding process. You need to do big projects and cal" Saturday morning for Meehan begins at 9 a.m. small projects to get the news out. It comes down to with a conference call to discuss story ideas and to prioritizing to get things done and doing the best assign stories to reporters. you can.n She arrives at the studio by noon, reads the news As for her new responsibilities at Columbia, wires to see ifthere are any story updates, puts a list Meehan said, "Teaching will give me a new chal­ of stories together, and begins working on the 6 lenge. I know whatever I do, I don't want to stray p.m. newscast. Once that's complete, Meehan too far from news. I love what it has to offer. It's begins working on the IO p.m. newscast. And exciting and different every day." there's never time for a lunch break in between. -Regina Waldroup, jour11alism graduate student

their best to take both. He also can receive CNN and CBS news this semester, but it all depends on said there is the possibility that the feeds, which are free to education­ the results of the site survey. practicum courses may soon be al facilities," Palermo said. "There are certain city restrictions able to use live news feed from "This would only enhance regarding putting those kinds of CNN, because the college is inves­ broadcast journalism and some of constructions on the top of build­ tigating the feasibility of putting our other regular television cur­ ings on Michigan Avenue," said satellite dishes on top of one of riculum courses. We have the Palermo. Columbia's buildings. capability to put breaking news "The company that we've hired Palermo said the school recently and ongoing news on all the moni­ has done a lot for the city, so they hired a company to conduct a site tors in the various campuses. That know all about the city ordinances. survey to find out which building material would also be available They'll be able to fill us in and tell is best suited to house the dishes. for students to use in their editing." us what will work and what won't "Our goal is to have, at minimum, Palermo said he would like to work. If all goes well, it could be a two receiving satellite dishes that have the dishes in place for use three-week project." Page 4 Inside Journalism Chronicle on a winning streak By Jim Sulski ;.1.. Criticism, I often teJI students, is an integral part of .. . " the journalistic process. Not only does it help you gauge the quality of your work, but it offers a more important benefit. It tells you that people are really, really reading your stories. Praise, on the other hand- while a lot less fre­ quent-isn't such a bad thing either. It's especially nice when someone looks closely at your work and has good things to say. The editorial and photography staff of the Chronicle has received much in the way of praise lately, and deservedly so. The staff recently garnered a record number of awards, continuing a winning streak that Donnie Seals' winning photo front the Illinois College Press started several years ago with a much smaller group Association's "Chicago Shoot Out" competition appeared on page 3 of the Metro section of the Chicago Tribune on of editors who had a lot less support. February 14. Photographers from 28 college newspapers It started in November when the Chronicle won had three hours (and two rolls of m.1n) to produce a winning Second Place for Overall Excellence in College image on the theme of communication. Newspapers in the I 999 Arutual Awards held by the Northern Illinois University Journalism Program and Second Place-Advertisement Less Than a Full Page: Chris the Northern Illinois Newspaper Association. Richert (Open) Then in February, the Chronicle won 26 awards at Second Place-Critical Review Other Than Film: 1-like O'Brien the Illinois College Press Association convention, (Open) including five First Place awards. Here they are: Second Place-Sp0rts Feature Story: Graham Couch (Non­ Daily) First Place-Opinion Page: Billy O'Keefe (Open Category) Second Plac1>-ln-Depth Reporting: Elizabeth Nendick, First Place-Front Page Layout: James Boozer (Non-Daily Stephanie Berlin, Carmen Defalco, Jeanne Oalatzer-Levy, Todd Category) Hofacker and Jen Magid (Non-Daily) First Place-Feature \\'riting: Valerie Danner, Jessica Quint. Second Place-Feature Photo: Rob Hart (Non-Daily) Chris Richert (Non-Daily) Second Place-Photo Essay: Bill Manley, Rob Hart, Chris nd First Place-Spot News Photo: Rob Hart (Non-Daily, 2 year Kubiet, Brenna McLaughlin and Kevin Poirier (Non-Daily, 2nd in a row) . . . . d year in a row) First Place-Photo Essay: Michelle Pmkowsk1 (Non-Dady, 2n Second Plac.-Sports Photo: Bill Manley (Non-Daily) year in a row) Second Place-Headline Writing: Jotham Soderstrom (Non­ Jim Sulski is faculty advisor ofthe Columbia College Daily) Chronicle. Second Place-General Excellence (Non-Daily)

Donnie Seals (left) and Valerie Danner Bill Manley (lef() Rob Hart Inside Journalism Pages

Echo 2000 a THE COLUMBIA SCHOLASTIC Gold Medalist PRESS ASSOCIATION The Journalism Department is GOLD MEDALIST CERTIFICATE proud to announce that ~cho . 2000, the college magazine writ­ ECHO ten and designed annually by stu­ <;;.c. i,c.l'd~ Unl ~i11.thc C.., etS-Ywl. dents in the magazine program, ... it,.A...... i. cne...,.,,,. ,,,.. was a Gold Medalist winner in the Annual Student Magazine Critique sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press While the credit largely Artist-in-Residence Clare LaPlante. Association at Columbia belongs to the many students If you haven't seen Echo 2000, University in New York. Gournalism, fiction writing and please call the Journalism Echo, which focuses on arts and photography) whose labor and Department and we'll send you a media in Chicago, scored 959 love went into the writing and copy. The new Echo, due to be points out of a possible 1,000 for production of Echo, it also published in early June, is already superior ach.ievement in concept, belongs to Magazine Program in production and, according to content, design and creativity. Director Bany Rice, who took Rice, will be even better than the The magazine scored a perfect over the faculty advising job only current Gold Medalist issue! 500 on content. a year ago, and his able colleague, -Carolyn Hulse

Third Plac»-Advertisement Less Than a Full Page: Chris At the I 6th Annual Associated Collegiate Press Richert (Open) National College Newspaper Convention in late Third Plac»-Editorial: James Boozer (Non-Daily) February, the Chronicle web site won First Place_ in Third Place-Sports News Story: Graham Couch (Non-Daily) the Online Newspaper Category. It also won Third Third Plac»-Chicago Shoot-Out Competition: Donnie Se~ls Place in the Weekly Newspaper of the Year Category, for its Feb. 14th issue. Honorable Mention-Editorial Cartoon: Billy O'Kccfe (Open) This doesn't mean we want you to stop criticizing Honorable Mention-Other Cartoon: Billy O'Keefe (Open) the Chronicle. Please keep speaking your mind and Honorable Mention-Graphic Illustration: Billy O'Kecfe (Open) letting the students know how they're doing. It will Honorable Mention-Critical Review: James Boozer (Open) help them continue their winning streak. Honorable Mention-<:olumn: Billy O"Keefe (Non-Daily) Honorable Mention-Column: Valerie Danner (Non-Daily) For a detailed list of the awards won by the Honorable Mention-News Story I: James Boozer (Non-Daily) Chronicle, visit the paper's web site at: Honorable Mention-News Story 2: James Boozer (Non-Daily) ht1p:llww,v.ccchronicle.comlawards.html.

Billy O'Keefe Page c. Inside Journalism AOL Time Warner merger fulfills McLuhan prophecy By Leo Strazewski delivering news, information and only a frac­ entertainment, the merged compa­ tion of the Marshall McLuhan would be ny will generate greatly increased content that proud. demand for content to fill its wi II drive the The late communications theorist Internet sites, cable and broadcast merged com­ coined the expression "the medi­ TV stations, as well as print pany. AOL um is the message" in the 1960s to media. Time Warner describe ho,v television was shap­ "The digital revolution has plans syner- r' ing the way people perceived already begun to create unprece­ gistic pub- Len Strazewski information. If he were alive and dented instantaneous access to lishing and theorizing in 2000, he would sure­ marketing of content, blending ly call the merger between news, cinema, animation, music America Online Inc. and Time and evolving interactive products.

\Varner Inc. the next step in media ~~---- For example, Time \Varner and evolution. AOL MovieFone will cross-pro­ The proposed merger, announced mote Warner Bros. movies and in January, not only creates the live events. AOL also will promote world's largest media company, it every form of media and unleash Time Warner magazines and cable also signals the melding of interac­ immense possibilities for econom­ television shows to AOL users. tive technology with the broadest ic growth, human understanding Warner Bros. retail stores, which range of content. For journalists, and creative expression," said now sell promotional products fea­ this development presents both Gerald M. Levin, Time \Varner turing Warner cartoon characters, tremendous opportunity and awe­ chairman and chief executive offi­ DC Comics superheroes and film some ethical concerns. cer, in the merger announcement. memorabilia, also will promote With new interactive "pipelines" While Time Warner has a long AOL Internet service and distrib­ tradition in the news business as ute AOL diskettes. Len Strozewski is coordinator ofcom­ parent of 1ime magazine and This cross-promotion will feed puter-assisted reporting/new media in CNN, Levin notes that the news is the need for content, company the Journalism Department. executives say, but it will also knock down walls that presently exist between various kinds of Fischetti applications available content-and this poses ethical John Fischetti Scholarship dilemmas for journalists. applications for the 2000-2001 News could be used and shaped academic year are now avail­ to promote entertainment. able in the Journalism fHf_ JOHN f()~~~ :~C_H~~SHI~ Interactive discussion groups Department. All full-time could be used to create and shape Columbia College students, .-,.,.,,.,...,..._ .. , ___A Pwo • ..;,A...,. _...... 2000_ _ ;,...,.__ the content of news. Entertainment __ could be linked interactively to including graduate students news and vice versa. and incoming transfer stu­ This cross-pollination could be dents, who specialize in print "'""'___ _,,,. ___ ,, .... w ... an ethical challenge to journalists or broadcast journalism, pho­ ...... - -·.. · ·- - ·-- ..... p .... T... - ,,,,.~-:.::;- ===-,;_._ _.... ~ ...... ,,,. ____ -- ·-·---.. --- as it erodes the separation between tojournalism, editorial art or ....a,,..1 ...... , ...... - _ ...... ,.._ ...... ------· .. . ..,-__ ...... __...... the news and entertainment disci­ political cartooning. are eligi­ _,_ -_,.._-~ ... _, -...... -· --_.. - ...... plines. Will journalists be forced to ble to apply. Awards are -.~.&.,.. - ..-:- :-::-itt·-·1 :;;~.... ·...... -.. ..- promote and support entertamment based on academic merit, 1 ~- I ---... __ .,._· ~ as news? Will television writers financial need and service in and filmmakers create "dramatori­ the student's specialty (i.e., t~' .. I. g~E-~... _,..... als" of fact and fiction? I·1 . I .... __ _ internships, work on student : =:;:.-=::: Fueled by the merger, the media publications or productions). t ·I ~~- and its messages are moving closer Twenty scholarships, as high t .. _~ .., _·····----• -~ ·-·----J. together and may become indistin­ as $2,000, were awarded in guishable, fulfilling McLuhan's 1999. The application dead­ prophetic vision. The result will be line is Friday, April 28. 2000. interesting and complex. . Inside Journalism Page 7 '

BARBARA . CLARE ROSALIND VAL ANDREW IVERSON LAPLANTE CUMMINGS· LEFEVRE MARTIN YEATES 11 New Faculty Join Journalism Department Eleven new faculty members joined the Part-Time Faculty Journalism Department during fall and spring sen1esters. They bring a wealth of professional Rosalind Cummings-Yeates (Writing Reviews & experiences into their classrooms, where students Criticism, Magazine Article Writing): Rosalind is in magazine, ne\vS reporting, new media and Chicago bureau chief for On The Road Inc. broadcast journalism courses will benefit from (www.ontheroad.com), where she reviews art, theater, their impressive journalistic knowledge and skill. music and restaurants. Her reviews and feature sto­ Please join us in welcoming: ries also have appeared in the Chicago Tribune, Brides, Home & Away, Salon Magazine, All Music Full-Time Faculty Guide, the Chicago Sun-Times, JYhere and Mojo. Barbara Iverson (Online Publishing & Val LeFevre (Advanced Desktop Publishing): Val Production): Barb joined the department this spring does design, layout and production for a variety of as a full-time faculty member, specializing in New magazines, brochures, ads and annual reports. She Media. Originally a member of the Academic has taught a wide array of design and desktop pub­ Computing Department, Barb has taught at Columbia lishing courses in the Visual Communications since 1993. She administers a $111,000 federal grant Department of the International Academy of that she won for the college to help integrate electron­ Merchandising and Design. ic technology into liberal and professional education classes. Barb holds a B.A., M.A. and Ph.D. (in Public Policy Analysis) from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Clare LaPlante (Magazine Article Writing, Advanced Magazine Article \Vriting, Trade Magazines): Clare joined the full-time journalism faculty last fall as artist-in-residence in the magazine program. She is the author of two books and numer­ ous feature/magazine articles for Consumer's Digest, the Chicago Tribune, Online Investor, ComputerWorld, Healthcare Executive and Todays Chicago Woman, among others. She has taught part­ ti.me at Columbia since 1996. Clare holds a B.A. from the University of Illinois and is completing an M.A. at Loyola University of Chicago.

Laura Meehan (Writing & Reporting TV News, TV News Practicum): Laura, a weekend producer at WBBM-TV (CBS), joined the full-time faculty this spring as an artist-in-residence in broadcast journal- Former Journalism Department Chair Ed Planer and wife ism. See full profile on page 3. Marilyn are aglow in new roles as graodparenu of twin boys. Page 8 Inside Journalism

HUGO EDIE KAREN RON CHRISTINE PER.EZ RUBINOWITZ SPRINGEN STODGRU,L WOOLSEY

Andrew Martin (Investigative Reporting): Andrew for .Newsweek since 1988, where she has e-0vered is an award-winning investigative reporter for the everything from the Jeffrey Dahmer cannibalism case Chicago Tribune, where he has c-0vered City Hall and to the Columbine High School shootings. She has the police beat. He also worked as a reporter at the appeared as a guest commentator on numerous radio Sun-Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and at City and TV shows, such as "Crossfire" and "Geraldo." News Bureau in Chicago. Ron Stodghill (Reporting for Pri.nt & Broadcast) : Hugo Perez (Introduction to \Vriting & Ron is M idwest bureau chief for Time magazine, Reporting): Hugo spent five years as an associate where he manages news coverage for a 15-state producer for NBC Nightly News (where he won a region. Before coming to Chicago, Ron headed up national E1nmy), the Today Show and AfSNBC. He Time~ Detroit bureau, and also was a reporter for also has worked as a field producer in Mexico City Business Week, the Detroit Free Pres.sand the and Havana, Cuba. Charlotte Observer.

Edie Rubinowitz (Introduction to Writing & Christine Woolsey (Information Search Reporting): Edie is a reporter, producer and host for Strategies): Christine works for VerticalNet Inc., WBEZ Radio, Chicago's National Public Radio affili­ where she is managing editor of HR Hub, a start-up ate. She also has been a reporter at The Nogales web site for human resource and employee benefit International in Nogales, Ariz., The Chicago professionals. She also worked as an editor and pub­ Reporter, and at Extra Bilingual Newspapers. lisher of Insurance Networking magazine at Faulkner & Gray business publishers. Karen Springen (Introduction to Writing & Reporting): Karen has been a reporter/correspondent -Carolyn Hulse, interim chairperso11 Meet the 1999-2000 Graduate Fellowship Winners Diana Eiranova-Kyle is only the second Simone Orendain, a Dwight Follett recipient of the highly competitive Graduate Graduate Fellow in Journalism, is an intern Opportunity Award in the history of the grad­ at Tribune Media Services in the editorial uate journalism program. After leaving her and licensing department. She also free­ native Argentina with a joint B.A. in English lances for the Tribune's US. Express, oper­ and Law from the University of Buenos ated by Elizabeth Owens-Schiele, a 1989 Air es, Diana worked in Chicago as a reporter graduate ofCol umbia's master's program in for La Raza. Later she worked fo r Mayor Harold journalism. Earlier at the Tribune, Simone worked as a part­ Washington as marketing and public relations coordinator in time Voice News Network newscaster. The \Vhitney Young the Department of Economic Development, a public infor­ High School graduate earned her bachelor's degree at mation officer for the City Colleges of Chicago; associate Columbia in theater and i.s a classically trained singer. In producer for \VYCC-TV, free-lance translator for the 1998, she worked as an evening news desk intern for WGN­ Chicago Park District and grant administrator for the Lions AM, and before that spent six months as a radio and TV Club International. She devoted much of the 1990s to the news anchor for Rajah Broadcasting Network in her nalive Coalition for Justice, advocating for the release of accused Philippines. Her career goal is to be a broadcast journalist: murderers Rolando Cruz and Alejandro Hernandez. Diana "It may appear that I have given up my acting career and my hopes to produce investigative reports and cultural enrich· life in the performing arts, but the longing to reach out to ment stories in Spanish and English. others is as strong now as it was before." Inside Journalism Page 9 Journalism course offerings for Summer 2000 Get ready to catch up-or get a head start on fall! MW, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m ., Epstein Pre-registration for summer semester begins Monday, 53-1140-01 Media Ethics & Law, April 24,• in the Academic Advising Office on the MW, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Economou third floor of 623 S. Wabash. Select from our 53-1601-0t Investigative Reporting, expanded list of summer courses, offered during MW, I p.m.-3:30 p.m., Economou Columbia's eight-week summer term, beginning June 53-2201 -0 I Sports Reporting, 12 and ending Aug. 4, 2000. MW, 5:30 p.m.-8 p.rn. Schlossberg 53-1001-01 Introduction to Mass Media, 53-9600-0 l Desktop Publishing, MW, I p.m.-3 :30 p.m., Brownlee TR, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Castillo 53-1002-0 I Introduction to Writing & Reporting, 53-8888-01 Internship: Print/Schlossberg M\l/, 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Lyon 53-8889-0 I Internship: Broadcastl\l/illiams 53-1 IO 1-0 I Reporting for Print & Broadcast, 53-9000-01 Independent Project/Hulse M\l/, IO a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sulski 53-1105-01 Broadcast News Writing, *Pre-registration for summer for continuing students TR, JO a.m.-12:30 p.m., Economou starts on Monday, April 24, and ends on Friday, April 28 (IO a.m.-6 p.m.) . New and continuing students 53-11 31-0 I Copy Editing, also can register for summer starting Monday, June 5, M\l/, I p.m.-3:30 p.m., Schlossberg to Friday, June 9 (JO a.m.-6 p.m.), and Saturday, June 53-1 I 32-0 I Information Search Strategies, 10 (JO a.m.-1 p.m.). Page 10 Inside Journalism South African media a motley mix Norma Green, director ofthe master s degree program in public Television and radio are currently affairs reporting, was awarded a Graduate Faculty International undergoing major changes as a Development Grant to attend the 1999 Parliament ofthe Worlds result of the 1999 Broadcast Reform Act. South Africa now Religions in Cape Town, South Africa. The Parliament, a non-leg­ boasts that it is the most wired islative assembly ofreligious and lay leaders, gathered to discuss nation-state of the 46 on the conti­ ways to bring about world peace. It issued a "Call to Guiding nent. The advent of satellite and Institutions" (including media and educational institutions), asking cable TV has significantly them to reflect on their role in critical issues, such as poverty, home­ increased the choice for viewers lessness, crime and violence. IJ, meanwhile, asked Norrna to bring who can afford it. back her perceptions ofSouth African media. This is her report. According to the S.A. 2000 Almanac, the "South African gov­ By Norma Green Renaissance. ernment is seeking a subcontinen­ .Within a short distance of many tal partnership between govern­ For a country that just six years Stone Age cave murals, represent­ ment and the private sector to ago held its first democratic elec­ ing the oldest journalism depicting make telephones and telecommuni­ tion, South Africa has come a long human actions and dating back at cations available to the poor in way in a short time and its media least 40,000 years, are sprawling rural areas from Botswana to cities, including Cape Town, the have tried to keep up with those Zambia. The Renaissance [theme] rapid changes. The country is legislative capital, and is being used to motivate this and viewed as a model for the rest of Johannesburg, the industrial center, other transborder technological Africa, due in large part to the each with dozens of newspapers, ventures involving business part­ leadership of former president magazines and radio stations­ nerships." But the media face Nelson Mandela and his successor, many with web sites. Television, many challenges beyond electricity. Thabo Mbeki, whose recent elec­ introduced in 1976, was a govern­ American journalist and author tion platform called for an African ment monopoly until 1990. Samuel Clemens (a.k.a. Mark Twain) visited Cape Town in 1897 and remarked, "I saw Government, also the Parliament, wbere they quarreled in two languages when I was there and agreed in none." One wonders what he would make of the new South Africa, which no\v has 11 official languages­ Xhosa, Pedi, English, Tswana, Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, Venda, Ndebele, Africaans (a Germanic tongue including medieval Dutch, French, African and Indonesian vocabulary) and Zulu, which is the most widely spoken- by 22.4 per­ cent of the population. Cape Town's English language papers, both owned by Independent Racial tensions and cultural con­ Newspapers, take different tacts: morning Times i.s more moderate than the flicts still exist in the country that larger-circulation, sensationalistic afternoon Argus, a 142-year paper that is about the land size of Texas and reinvented itself in 1996. Front-page advertising is common. Inside Journalism Page 11

California combined, with an esti­ mated 40.5 million residents. The 1996 Census categorized them racially as 76.7 percent black, 10.9 percent white, 9 percent mixed race and 2.6 percent Asian. The S.A. Human Rights Commission released an interim report in late 1999 on the media and found much evidence of post-apartheid his crusade to help quell the vio­ Hollywood, letters to the editor racism. The non-governmental lence in Cape To,vn. "After Planet reflected an unacceptable level of Media Monitoring Project contin­ vitriol. Severe hatred flowed from ues to investigate· racial stereotyp­ all quarters with people blaming ing in the news. each other. There were anti-black, Religious plurality also chal­ anti-white, anti-Muslim and anti­ lenges South Africa. \Vith a new Jewish attacks. I asked myself constitution providing for religious what I could do to stop this very freedom, nearly 20 percent of the destructive development," people claim no affiliation, while explained Fisher, who had been Christians comprise 77 percent of editor for two and a half years. the affiliated, followed by Hindus Fisher determined that many of at 1.7 percent, Muslims at I. I per­ the accusations against various eth­ cent and Jews at 0.4 percent, nic, racial and religious groups according to the S.A. Yearbook. were based on fear and ignorance. Cultural clashes have sometimes He set about to change that through turned violent. a newspaper campaign called "One Cape Town, which is pinning its City, Many Cultures," which con­ future growth on tourism, has been centrated on common rites and ritu­ plagued by terrorist bombings als such as those related to birth, since 1998. The recent bombings naming of children, adolescence, began in August 1998 with a blast marriage, aging and death. at Planet Hollywood on the popu­ The Cape Times devoted 12 lar Victoria & Albert Watedront. weeks of coverage to the five key The day after I arrived in late groups that make up Cape Town's November another pipe bomb diverse heritage-Xhosa, exploded at a crowded beachfront Christian, Jewish, Muslim and restaurant, injuring 48 people. On Hindu. Part One ran for six Christmas Eve, yet another pipe weeks, from Feb. I to March 12, bomb exploded, injuring seven and Part Two ran from May 3 to police officers. This was a week June 11, the eve of the country's before the world got a glimpse of second democratic election. South Africa's Millennium celebra­ "\Ve highlighted ways we differ tion, televised by U.S. networks and many things we have in com­ as part of global coverage. m.on. We saw the rightful role of At a Parliament session, Ryland Johannesburg-based 1'1aH & Guar- our newspaper as a bridge­ dia11 is the. most respected newsweekly; Fisher, editor of the Cape Times, a SA Citylife is a slick metro monthly, sim· builder," Fisher said. The Cape local morning daily, spoke about ilar to those in the United States. Con1inued on page 12 Page 12 Inside Journalism

News of South African sports and musicians unites an Johannesburg-based weekend Star and Independent. otherwise still struggling rainbow nation. Independent The 'Times, called " the paper for the people," has the Newspapers own both the English-language, largest weekly circulation. to tolerance and cooperation. moted to Editor: New Group S. African Media Citizens were encouraged to sign Editorial Projects for the Continuedfrom page I I pledge cards in retail establish- Independent News & Media chain Times commissioned the "city's ment. Schools also were involved in South Africa, said he was heart­ best" writers and photographers to through essay and collage art com- ened by the support- publically, chronicle universal human experi­ petit ions. morally and financially- for the ences. "In terms of photography, "l personally spoke to everyone "One City, Many Cultures" cam- we used established professionals, who wanted to listen," said Fisher, paign. "Towards the end of the emerging photographers and held a series, we noticed more gentleness competition for amateurs. "We highlighted ways ,ve and more tolerance on the part of "We had two photo exhibits. A differ and many things we the citizens our reporters inter­ former security guard is now have in common. We saw viewed for reactions. We pub­ employed full time as a photogra­ the rightful role of our lished even the racist and fascist pher [as a result of this assignment] comments, but there were fewer of newspaper as a bridge­ and I'm quite pleased about that." them. Focus groups knew all about The newspaper also co-sponsored builder." us." a "One City, t.

by the Dalai Lama, South African features films, docu­ broadcasters discussed recent mentaries and sports. changes at a panel on the role of Another subscription the press and the role of religion. service, Multichoice, The South African Broadcasting offers satellite broad­ Corp. currently has three channels cast access. To stay that are being retooled into specific competitive, SABC is demographic niches. It became introducing its own active across Africa last year, six-channel subscrip· broadcasting on two TV channels tion satellite service as to 44 countries via a privately well as some free pro­ owned rival satellite service. Its gramming for about 11 1 Channel Africa offers entertainment mi ll ion daily viewers, and SABC Africa provides a news according to the S.A. and information service from an 2000 Almanac. SABC African perspective. tries to carry programs At home, with three national TV of interest to disparate channels to use for its newly legis­ ethnic and religious lated dual role as a public broad­ groups. caster and commercial entertainer, Yashika Singh, a former SABC SABC has begun promoting employee who moderated theses­ Channel One as a call to youth, sion, said that many African coun­ Channel Two as a PBS-like tries deeply resent Christians and "Focus" station catering to various especially Americans, based on language groups, and Channel their encounters with missionaries Three as its entertainment channel and the narrow view they feel is and revenue-earner. It competes presented. "Pat Robertson's daily directly with the powerful and program is the only news feed that lucrative pay-channel M-Net that some African countries get in their Big Issue Cape Town Editor prime-time news slot. Many Glenda Nevill surveys covers . l with production staffer Elmien . l Africans feel that their indigenous ' '1 \ Volvarrdt (left) whose Oct. tribal religions have not been design (top) graced street papers respected." around the world honoring Int'I In addition to the mainstream Day for Eradication of Poverty. press, South Africa has two of only and an estimated readership of a handful of street newspapers 44,000. Since it began, it has been (publications by, for and about the able to measure success through 75 homeless) published on the whole street vendors it has helped to get continent. I visited the editorial job training. offices of Big Issue Cape Town, "We put together the first issue founded in December 1996 to from scratch in 12 weeks. We are address the growing homelessness committed to providing a voice for and unemployment. those who never had one before," Produced by a shoestring staff of said Project Coordinator Shane about a dozen people, the monthly Malpin. "Our guiding philosophy Street people arc the focus of this arts and entertainment magazine and slogan says it best: a hand up, Cape Town monthly newsletter. has a circulation of about I 8,000 not a hand out." Page 14 Inside Journalism Strike now for top-notch summer internships By Howard Schlossberg across different media platforms. And these varied internship Cahners Publishing, the world's largest trade maga­ opportunities are not just w,th big, zine publisher. Crain Communications, a premier well-known employers. They're business publisher. WGN-TV. FOX Sports. These also with small publishers and are just a few of the placements available through the cable outlets, as well as rapidly Journalism Department's internship program. proliferating web publishers. Chicago-area media outlets are clamonng for You'll learn as much-if not interns, and are happy to provide the traimng, assis­ mor-in these situations. tance and guidance to make rou a better journalist­ So c'mon by. Check out the list- Howard Schlossberg print or broadcast. Some wil even PAY you. We have ings on the bulletin boards around the Journalism mterns working for up to $10 per hour this semester. Departtnent. There are broadcast, print and online Several of our students have been fortunate enough opportunities alike. There are numerous listings in to be asked to stay after their internships ended; sctencC;,_ medicine and environmental writing. Most they've become free-lance writers and editors or part­ are in c hicago or the surrounding suburbs. \Ve've time employees while they're still in school. even struck up a relationship with the Daily Herald, Consumer'.s' Digest magazine and WGN-TV are just a the Arlington Heights-based newspaper that is the couple of places where students have had this happen. third-largest daily in the state. And the old axiom still holds true: Internship experi­ And we haven't had a student yet who has interned ence separates you from other candidates when it at the investigative-minded Chicago Reporter (just comes to aP.plymg for full-time work after graduation. down the street) who hasn't gotten a positive response And here s an interesting catch: Broadcast students from a prospective employer. are finding that a print internship helps them ,vith So if you're looking for the fastest way to build a career plarming and experience, and vice versa. With clip book of bylined articles, or an audition/resume tape and are wondering how to get the experience you "multimedia" and "media convergence" today's 1 industry bywords, varied internship exposure is neea to apply for a job, stop by. We' II help you with invaluable for students who want to learn to work your resume, offer interviewing tips and make a phone call or two to help you land the right internship. For print/online internships, call me at (3 12) 344- Howard Schlossberg is print internship coordinator and 7366 to set up an appointment. For broadcast intern­ artist-in-residence in the Journalism Department. ships, call Lillian Williams at (3 12) 344-7643. Early Registration for Fall 2000 May 1 to May 12 \Vith early registration for fall semester just around the corner, it's important for all journalism majors to consult their program directors during the month ofApril about what courses they will need to take to complete require­ ments in their chosen concentrations. If you find out what courses you should take now, you will save a lot of time during registration when advisors are super busy. Below are the numbers you need to get good advice before lvlay I.

Laurie Ann Bender, Academic Advisor, (312) 344-762 1 Barry Rice, Director, Magazine Program, (312) 344-7630 Norma Green, Director, Graduate Journalism Program, (3 12) 344-7542. Carolyn Hulse, Interim Chair/Director, News Reporting & Writing, (312) 344-7426 Jeff Lyon, Coordinator, Reporting on Health, Science & the Environment, (312) 344-7622 Howard Schlossberg, Print Internship Coordinator, (312) 344-7366 Lillian Williams, Director, Broadcast Journalism/Broadcast Internship Coordinator, (3 12) 344-7643