Category Archives: general

SPJVPA16: Getting ready for drones to take off

By Marhesha Maldonado Unmanned aircraft systems, commonly called drones, could be very beneficial to journalists covering storm damage, traffic accidents, fires and other stories. But the technology also raises important legal, safety and ethical issues. That was the gist of a panel discussion at the VPA/SPJ Region 2 Conference held Saturday (April 9) at ShortContinueContinue reading “SPJVPA16: Getting ready for drones to take off”

SPJVPA16: The state of open government in Virginia

By Matt Chaney A panel of FOIA experts expressed mixed opinions about the state of open government in Virginia at the VPA/SPJ Region 2 Conference on Saturday (April 9). The panelists said that while gains have been made for transparency, much remains to be done to hold government officials on all levels more accountable. TheyContinueContinue reading “SPJVPA16: The state of open government in Virginia”

SPJVPA16: Pros offer tips for editing copy

By Janeal Downs A good news story means more than presenting information as an inverted pyramid and applying AP style. In today’s newsrooms, reporters also must be copy editors and turn in articles that are as ready for publication as possible. At the VPA/SPJ Region 2 Conference, two experienced editors offered advice on how journalistsContinueContinue reading “SPJVPA16: Pros offer tips for editing copy”

SPJVPA16: So you want to be an international reporter?

By Janeal Downs From taking adventurous trips to the grocery store in China to covering the ravages of war in Afghanistan, top journalists shared their experiences as international reporters during a panel at the VPA/SPJ Region 2 Conference. David Lynch, a correspondent in the Washington bureau of the Financial Times, and Paul Wiseman, an internationalContinueContinue reading “SPJVPA16: So you want to be an international reporter?”

Deadline extended: Students, apply for summer 2016 newsroom fellowships

Fellowships offer intern opportunities for students seeking journalism careers. The application deadline has been extended until April 15. Society of Professional Journalists, Virginia Pro Chapter Virginia SPJ, SDX Educational Foundation The Virginia SPJ Chapter will award two $1,500 fellowships that will require — and help pay for — a supervised summer newsroom internship for any risingContinueContinue reading “Deadline extended: Students, apply for summer 2016 newsroom fellowships”