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Late entries for 2011 SPJ Journalism contest will be considered

March 13th, 2012 | Add a Comment

Dear Members, Editors and News Directors: The deadline for entries for the 48th annual Excellence in Journalism program of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, honoring the best work done in calendar year 2011 was Monday, April 30, 2012. Entries received after this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Rules, forms, instructions and additional information are available under the “Contest/Awards” tab above. Please note that, because of the increasing number of online submissions that fall into print and broadcast categories, we are retiring our online journalism category. Online submissions should be directed to the print or broadcast categories to which they are most relevant (for example, primarily audio submissions to radio, video to TV, published work to print, etc.). We hope you will be part of this program, which seeks to honor … Read entire article »

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A country has recently passed a law that will permit the military to indefinitely detain without trial any citizen deemed to be a terrorist or an accessory to terrorism. And suspects can be shipped by the military to an offshore penal colony and kept there until “the end of hostilities.” The bill describes a “covered person”—one subject to detention—as “a person who was a part of or substantially supported [terrorist forces] or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the country, including any person who has committed a belligerent act or has directly supported such hostilities in aid of such enemy forces.” The bill, however, does not define the terms “substantially supported,” “directly supported” or “associated … Read entire article »

Commentary: Some thoughts as we start a new year

Commentary: Some thoughts as we start a new year

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Commentary: First Genocide, Now Vericide

Commentary: First Genocide, Now Vericide

Now that the term “genocide” has been established as a “crime against humanity” and is a matter for the courts, it is time for the introduction of another word, but, this time, for use by journalists who report and otherwise comment upon what countries and their leaders say about genocide and lesser matters: Vericide. Historians should also start using it. Just as … Read entire article »

Commentary: Flags for Burning

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When journalists report on the “spontaneous” flag-burning demonstrations, around the world, there is one fact that is never covered or reported:  How and where do the protestors get the flags they burn? Do all the countries that have flag-burning mobs also have shops that sell “Flags for Burning”? Is there an international company that has salesmen traveling the world selling flags of … Read entire article »

Commentary: Fair and Balanced?

More than 50 years ago, when “The Time of Your Life,” was revived on Broadway, with Henry Fonda playing the lead, LIFE magazine asked the playwright, William Saroyan, to review his award-winning play. Instead of coming East from his home in San Francisco, Saroyan “reviewed” the play as he imagined it would be performed.  LIFE ran the review, which (like G. B. Shaw’s Prefaces) reflected Saroyan’s philosophy of life as well as re-telling the story of the play. On April 27, there was a panel discussion, “Fair and Balanced?” presented jointly by the SPJ and the Philadelphia Public Relations Association. Since virtually everything that was said was inaudible (when will panelists learn to speak to the microphones and … Read entire article »

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A manifesto for the simple scribe – 25 commandments

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Join or support your local SPJ chapter

Join or support your local SPJ chapter

You are invited to join the Society of Professional Journalists and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter by sending your completed membership application form (Downloadable PDF form). For more information, visit the SPJ Membership Center. For $20 (Students: $10), enhance your role in one of the nation’s largest journalism communities as a chapter supporter. If you are principally engaged in journalism, or if you have ever been a member of an SPJ chapter, you … Read entire article »

Michael Days speaks at 2010 SPJ awards banquet

Michael Days speaks at 2010 SPJ awards banquet

Michael Days, executive VP and editor of the Philadelphia Daily News was the keynote speaker duirng 46th annual Excellence in Journalism awards program by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists July 15, 2010. The event was held in the Philadelphia Inquirer building, 400 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Since joining the paper 25 years ago he has served as managing editor, deputy managing editor, and was named editor … Read entire article »

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