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Thursday, May 22, 2008

Saturday, May 24 is deadline to sign up for SPJ's Citizen Journalism Academy in Greensboro, N.C.

The Society of Professional Journalists will host the second of three Citizen Journalism Academy programs June 7 at Guilford College’s Frank Family Science Center, Bryan Junior Auditorium. The registration deadline is Saturday, May 24 and seating is limited.

The workshop will teach citizens how to practice accurate and ethical journalism. SPJ aims to help participants understand how such practices could increase reach and reputations within a specified community and around the world. “As people are practicing journalism through blogs, Web site production and interaction with sites maintained by mainstream news organizations, they’re contributing to the daily news cycle while influencing how community members get their news and perceive the world around them,” said SPJ President Clint Brewer. “SPJ sees this as an opportunity to help citizen journalists by arming them with the tools they will need to be an effective citizen journalist or community watchdog.”

Topics in these one-day workshops will explore:

— Journalism ethics. The new-media landscape is rife with dilemmas for anyone wanting to report accurately, fairly and outside the bounds of speci al interests.

— The basics of media law. The same longstanding laws concerning libel, slander and access to people and information apply to 21st Century news-gatherers.

— Access to public records and meetings. Public information can add substance and value to every news story. But knowing where to look for it can be tough.

— Standard and responsible reporting practices. With media ethics and law in mind, how else should news-gatherers approach sources?

— The use of technology. We'll show you an array of tools you could start using — or continue using even more effectively.

The program will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The $25 fee includes lunch and course materials. For more information or to register, click here.

Anther Citizen Journalism Academy will be held in Los Angeles on June 28. Funding is provided by SPJ's Sigma Delta Chi Foundation.

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