The San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists commends Jean Guerrero for speaking out in this blog post about her experience at a recent news conference.
We remind our colleagues that the SPJ Code of Ethics states in part that journalists should: “Expose unethical conduct in journalism … [and] abide by the same high standards they expect of others.” We encourage all journalists to behave professionally, in accordance with these principles.
Whether you’re a journalist or a news consumer, chances are you’ve heard the term “fake news.” Fake news is more than a label, it’s a problem journalists across the country are confronting when trying to gain the trust of their audience. As journalists, how do we combat these accusations while not dismissing our audience? Does research show any promising results when it comes to journalists correcting misinformation?
Join the San Diego chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for a discussion with:
Matt Hall, opinion director at The San Diego Union-Tribune
Rachel Laing, principal of Laing Strategic Communications
Rachel Moran, researcher and doctoral student at USC Annenberg
When: Tuesday, November 14th from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: The San Diego Central Library in the Shiley Special Events Suite 330 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92101
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP here.
Homelessness continues to be one of San Diego’s greatest public policy and humanitarian challenges. And with the county’s hepatitis A outbreak, news coverage of the crisis has only increased. How have journalists reported on our region’s homeless population and what myths persist? What data and reporting approaches can help elevate the stories they pursue?
Join San Diego SPJ for a wide-ranging discussion with:
Steve Breen, San Diego Union-Tribune
Kelly Davis, freelance reporter
Lisa Halverstadt, Voice of San Diego
Susan Murphy, KPBS
When: 6:30 to 8 p.m., Thursday, October 19
Where: California Western School of Law, 350 Cedar Street, Lecture Hall 2, San Diego, CA 92101
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/covering-homelessness-tickets-38639525862
This week, the Society of Professional Journalist’s San Diego chapter sent a letter to Gov. Jerry Brown urging him to sign SB 345, proposed state legislation that would require police to post policies, training materials, and more online. You can read up on the bill here.
Here’s what San Diego SPJ board member Tom Jones wrote on the board’s behalf:
My name is Tom Jones and I am a San Diego journalist and a board member of the Society of Professional Journalist’s San Diego chapter. I am writing this letter on behalf of the San Diego board, urging the governor to sign SB 345 into law.
California has the opportunity through SB 345 to lead the nation toward greater transparency in law enforcement policies, protocols, and training materials. Publishing these materials online would help law enforcement educate the public about how they operate and best serve the people they represent. The process of obtaining these materials through the California Public Records Act (CPRA) can be arduous, especially when reporting on events that directly involve these policies and procedures. SB 345 would assist the public and journalists by giving access to this information without the need of a CPRA request. Law enforcement would also benefit, as they would not have the task of having to release this information while dealing with other topics being reported on.
Signing SB 345 into law would be an important step toward the state recognizing the necessity of law enforcement transparency while providing a great example to other states.
San Diego Society of Professional Journalists 