Paul Fletcher

Call for Nominations: 2011 George Mason Award

The Society of Professional Journalists, Virginia Pro Chapter, seeks nominations for its 48th George Mason Award, to be presented in June 2011. The annual award recognizes a person in Virginia has done something extraordinary for journalism and the public: reporting and writing that has righted a wrong, caused a sea change in attitudes, changed aContinue reading “Call for Nominations: 2011 George Mason Award”

Region 2 conference this coming weekend!

A reminder to all members of the Virginia Pro chapter: Don’t miss out on your best opportunity to connect with fellow journalists during the Region 2 Spring Conference in Norfolk! On Friday and Saturday, the Norfolk Waterside Marriott will be jammed with sessions hosted by SPJ and our partners at the Virginia Press Association. FridayContinue reading “Region 2 conference this coming weekend!”

Items needed for Legal Defense Fund auction

Do you have items you can donate to help the Legal Defense Fund during our silent auction at the SPJ Region 2 convention in Norfolk? Then you should send a thorough description of the gift and any minimum bid you want on the items, by email to Brian Eckert (beckert@richmond.edu). If you are not goingContinue reading “Items needed for Legal Defense Fund auction”

VCOG exec: ’11 session went well for FOIA

Only one new exemption to the Freedom of Information Act made it through the 2011 General Assembly, according to Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government. And that exemption is narrow, covering the Commercial Space Flight Authority. Usually several new exemptions pass during a session, she said. Rhyne spoke to theContinue reading “VCOG exec: ’11 session went well for FOIA”

Fairfax police earn dubious distinction

The Fairfax County Police Department has earned a dubious honor: the department was a runner-up for the “Black Hole Award,” a distinction started this year by the Society of Professional Journalists for the “most heinous violations of the public’s right to know.” The state of Utah won the Black Hole Award for its passage ofContinue reading “Fairfax police earn dubious distinction”