RELIGION REPORTING
COVERING THE COVER-UPS: HIDING THE SINS OF THE FATHERS
When the clergy abuse stories broke in January, no one anticipated that events would lead to allegations against dozens of priests throughout the country. Clerical scandals and legal charges received prominent coverage almost daily. Journalists discuss how the story evolved from private indiscretions to public outrage and the difficulties of providing secular coverage for ecclesiastical affairs.
Sandi Dolbee, religion and ethics editor, The San Diego Union Tribune
Jeffrey Sheler, senior writer, U.S. News & World Report
Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of communications, U.S. Catholic Conference
Brooks Egerton, investigative reporter, The Dallas Morning News
Tracy Rowlett, managing editor and anchor, CBS 11, Fort Worth
ISLAM IN THE NEWS: MYTHS AND REALITIES
In addition to the Five Pillars of Islam, what else do you need to know to cover the fastest-growing religion in the United States? How will FBI surveillance affect Muslims? Has the public come to accept racial and religious profiling?
Tayyibah Taylor, editor-in-chief, Azizah Magazine
Eric Vickers, executive director, American Muslim Council
Assad Nimer Busool, Arabic Studies Department chairman,
American Islamic College
COVERING NATURAL DISASTERS AND VIOLENT CRIMES
PARACHUTING IN: ONLY THE NIMBLE SURVIVE
Explore a range of ethical and emotional issues, including pressures associated with live TV coverage, the effects of competition, the relationship between journalists and community members, and the impact of national media on local journalists when covering tragic and significant events. A review of resources available to the press, guidelines for operating on the scene and a discussion of press ethics in crisis situations.
Staci Kramer, editor-at-large, Cable World, and
contributing editor, Online Journalism Review
Lee Hancock, reporter, The Dallas Morning News
John Sparks, night assignments editor, CBS 11, Fort Worth
Phil Record, former editor and ombudsman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
WHEN JOURNALISTS BECOME NEWSMAKERS
Sometimes reporters inadvertently become part of the story. A young writer discusses his experiences in a Colorado jail and on "Good Morning America," and a West Virginia staff writer describes her rescue of a flood victim. Bob Ray Sanders, who spends time on both sides of the camera, offers pointers to journalists who find themselves being interviewed by other journalists.
Darren Barbee, staff writer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Narissa Young, reporter, The Register Herald, Forest Hill, W.V.
Bob Ray Sanders, reporter and columnist, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
POLITICS AND HISTORY
JFK ASSASSINATION
Nearly four decades ago and 30 miles away, a young American president was slain on the streets of Dallas. A panel of journalists and researchers, including two who covered the assassination, offer a provocative perspective on the biggest story in Texas history and perhaps shed light on the question that persists: Who killed JFK?
Mike Cochran, Fort Worth author and senior writer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Hugh Aynesworth, Dallas author and Southwest bureau chief, The Washington Times
Jim Marrs, Texas author and journalist
CHILD WELFARE
HOME IS WHERE THE HATE IS: LISTENING TO THE LITTLE VOICES
Journalists report on children damaged or destroyed before they can be rescued. Panelists will suggest ways to get the stories without creating further trauma. Veteran print and photo journalists share their secrets for establishing rapport with children, evaluating the situation and making publication decisions.
Penny Cockerell, staff writer, The Daily Oklahoman
Jack Kresnak, staff writer, Detroit Free Press
Joyce Marshall, staff photographer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
RACISM AND DIVERSITY
JUSTICE IN A SMALL TEXAS TOWN
CBS sent 20-year broadcast veteran Joyce King to cover the dragging death trials, and by the third trial she realized that small-town Jasper had changed in ways incomprehensible to outsiders. To find that part of the story, she quit her job and moved there while her journalist husband and two sons kept the Dallas household running. "Without the courage to look closely at these past horrors," she says, "we can forget about closure and healing." Random House published her book, "Hate Crime: The Story of a Dragging in Jasper, Texas."
Joyce King, reporter and author
Steve Blow, columnist, The Dallas Morning News
DIVERSITY: ACCURACY OR BIAS?
Critics say that identity politics have overtaken news judgment as journalists strive to expand perspectives in the news. Is the press skittish about topics that might feed racial or sexual stereotypes? Should it be? When does sensitivity turn into pandering? Is there a tendency to dismiss conservative views? Some of the most respected voices for diversity in the media take a hard look at the movement, examining what is working and what isn't.
Eric Newton, director of journalism initiatives, John S. and
James L. Knight Foundation
Arlene Morgan, director, Columbia Workshops on Journalism, Race and Ethnicity,
Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University
Dori J. Maynard, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
Gilbert Bailon, executive editor, The Dallas Morning News
sesmith@dallasnews.com (assistant: Sandra Smith)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
JOURNALISM CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH
Trained to suppress their reactions to other people's tragedies, journalists sometimes rely on caffeine, junk food and nicotine to keep alert for deadline pressures and long hours. Psychiatrists offer help in recognizing personal trauma and emotional burnout before health problems develop or relationships collapse. A psychologist who has worked extensively with journalists outlines a lifestyle plan that provides damage control for the working press.
Saundra Gilfillan, M.D., trauma psychiatrist,
UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
Jaye Douglas Crowder, M.D., forensic psychiatrist,
UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
David Welsh, Ph.D., psychologist
Carolyn Poirot, medical writer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
CENSUS REPORTING
CENSUS 2000: THE DETAILS ARE IN THE DIGITS
Discover America with census reports, learning the kinds of information available at the Census Bureau and the best techniques for accessing and preparing data for print and broadcast. A former investigative reporter and creator of the Reporting Census 2000 Web site will discuss strategies for transforming census data into compelling human stories.
Steve Doig, professor, Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University
Jeff Claassen, computer-assisted reporting technician, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Bey-Ling Sha, APR, public affairs specialist, U.S. Census Bureau
Tom Webster, video producer, U.S. Census Bureau
AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
FACE READING: IS THERE GUILE BEHIND THE SMILE?
You'll never look at news sources the same way again. Instruction for determining character and personality by a close study of the face. An experienced attorney will demonstrate the art of scanning a face, detail to gestalt, gesture to metaphoric meaning. Learn how to understand the subject's temperament, feelings and intentions before beginning an interview.
Mac Fulfer, J.D., author and professional face reader