A new initiative provides recommendations for journalists covering racially sensitive issues and civil unrest. An online toolkit was developed in partnership with journalists, academics and newsroom managers.
RTDNA Ramping Up First Amendment Efforts
Dan Shelley, the incoming executive director of the RTDNA, says the new Voice of the First Amendment Task Force will look to give better air cover to hardworking journalists under unprecedented attack for doing their jobs.
RTDNA: Local Social, Mobile On The Rise
The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Survey found a lot going on with social media and mobile in both radio and TV. Among the findings: increased use of Facebook and Facebook Live; more live streaming in general; as well as efforts at greater interactivity and live chats with viewers.
The veteran journalist and longtime member of the association’s board is succeeding Mike Cavender, with the official transition coming in September at the group’s Excellence in Journalism conference.
A news task force will support journalists and educate the public on the importance of press freedoms. “If the public comes to believe the news media are the ‘enemy of the people,’ one of our country’s most fundamental rights could be lost,” says task force co-chair Sheryl Worsley. “Freedom of the press helps ensure a check on government and helps America stay free.”
Exclusives
The group’s annual survey tracks, among other topics, the most important new things stations are doing online; must-haves and optionals for station websites; and exclusive web content and user-generated content.
Picking up an RTNDF award last night, outspoken TV broadcaster Stanley S. Hubbard said that TV news organizations shouldn’t worry about Trump’s incessant media bashing. “I don’t think Trump or anyone else will take away [the First Amendment]. The president has the right to be a jerk just like anybody else.”
New professional members are offered free access to talent development agency’s online training and mentorship community.
A coalition of 61 journalism organizations would like a meeting or conference call to discuss access issues with President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect Mike Pence.
More than 50 journalists, lawyers, media rights advocates, and First Amendment stakeholders came together in Washington last week with a common interest in protecting freedom of the press and securing rights granted by the First Amendment.
He was named executive director of RTDNA and its foundation in 2011, after serving more than 20 years in virtually every board capacity of the two organizations, including as their chairman. He will step down at the end of next year.
It was 70 years ago today, Oct. 24, 1946, that RTDNA (then called the National Association of Radio News Editors) officially began, at its first national convention in Cleveland. Today, the association has more than 1,200 members in radio, television and digital newsrooms across the country.
Monday evening, RTDNA awarded 103 national Edward R. Murrow Awards in 13 categories. RTDNA received more than 4,300 entries during the 2016 awards season, setting an all-time record for the fourth year in a row.
How often have you heard it: Your boss telling you to “produce up” the big lead story? It sounds great in principle and we all know it when we see it. But how can you make it happen every day? The key to “producing up” any story is knowing what you have; knowing what elements fall outside of a focused reporter package, but still providing crucial details for the viewer. How do you do it? Organization, research and context.
Local TV News Staffing Up To Near Record
Total local TV news employment hit a near all-time high in 2015, growing by 1% and adding 270 people, according to the latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey. That puts total TV news staffing at 27,870, and that edges ahead of 2012 but remains below the all-time peak in 2001. Generally, TV newsrooms keep growing in size, but there aren’t as many of them as in past years. Even so, the growth in employment overcame another small loss in the number of stations producing local news.
The lifetime achievement award will be presented to the CBS and PBS newsman at the RTDNA annual conference in New Orleans in September. “Charlie Rose is a consummate interviewer, a gifted storyteller and an exemplary broadcast journalist,” says RTDNA Chair Kathy Walker.
The former GM of WDBJ Roanoke, Va., and current Gray Television executive will be honored for his contributions to journalism on Sept. 19 at the Excellence in Journalism 2016 convention in New Orleans.
Women, Minorities In TV Up From A Year Ago
The latest RTDNA/Hofstra University Annual Survey finds the minority workforce in TV news rose to 23.1%. That’s up almost a full point from a year ago and is the second highest level ever in TV news. The minority workforce at non-Hispanic TV stations also went up to the second highest level ever.
WNBC’s National Murrow Award-Winning Story
The state’s “confidential communication” bill could criminalize journalists’ reporting on confidential information. The group says the measure would infringe on the rights of journalists and have a chilling effect on reporting issues of public interest.
RTDNA today announced the winners of the 2016 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, which honors outstanding work produced by radio, television and online news organizations. In large-market television, WXIA-WATL Atlanta scored a triple win for Continuing Coverage, Investigative Reporting and Writing. In small-market television, WVUE New Orleans had a double win for Series and Use of Video and WISC Madison, Wis., got a triple win for Overall Excellence, Newscast and Feature Reporting.
Tracking All Aspects Of The News Director
The latest installment of RTDNA-Hofstra University Annual Survey of local news highlights changes in the lives of news directors. Findings include the fact that TV NDs are getting older and switching jobs quicker.
The group’s latest survey finds 1,053 TV stations running local news, more than ever before. Of those, 714 produce newscasts for themselves, while 339 rely on the producers in sharing arrangements.
The awards recognize the best electronic journalism produced by radio, television and online news organizations around the world. RTDNA awarded 654 regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in 14 categories, including Overall Excellence, Breaking News, Investigative Reporting and Website. In the large market television category, KING Seattle led the way with nine Murrows, while WISC Madison, Wis., took home eight Murrows, the most in the small market television category.
