Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas update: The U.S. Supreme Court on March 25 refused to hear an appeal challenging the
Texas Open Meetings Act, keeping intact the law that bans government officials
from talking business in informal settings. Officials from 15 cities in Texas
challenged the law in 2009, saying they supported open government but that the
law banned such behavior as simply talking to a colleague about a matter on a
city meeting agenda. The 1967 law prohibits a quorum of members of a
governmental body from deliberating in secret; violations are punishable by up
to six months in jail and a $500 fine. A U.S. district judge ruled against the
cities in 2011, prompting an appeal to the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit
Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel of the federal appeals court unanimously
ruled last year that the law promotes the disclosure of speech and does not
restrict it. FOIFT board member
Joe Larsen said the plaintiffs’ arguments “turned the First Amendment on its head, claiming officeholders’ freedom of speech was an argument to shut the public out of deliberations of
their governmental bodies instead of recognizing that the First Amendment
requires reasonable access.”
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PEOPLE & PLACES
The UTA Shorthorn is one of six college newspapers nationwide to receive the Gold Crown, the Columbia
Scholastic Press Association’s highest award, in the new “Hybrid Publication” (print and online) category. The award was announced during the Spring National
College Media Convention in New York City. Shorthorn editor Natalie Webster and features editor Shelly Williams represented the paper at the convention.
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GET A JOB
A major IT company needs writers who can interview subject matter experts in
Chinese and Japanese languages, then write case studies and client success
stories in English based on the interviews. This has the potential to be a
long-term relationship with multiple projects. Contact Virginia Brooks, virginia@brooksandassociatespr.com, 214-299-8512. ...
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, the 25th-largest daily newspaper
in the U.S., seeks an entry-level night news copy editor with a bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field and at least one year at a daily paper.
Send résumé, job references and examples of headlines and editing to news editor Sandra Tyler, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock 72203, styler@arkansasonline.com. ...
Demand Media Studios needs copy editors to edit articles for its network of
popular sites on everything from business, careers and culture to fitness,
garden and health to style, tech and travel. Two years of editorial experience
required, plus a copy editing test and a subject matter test. Info here. ...
The Dallas Business Journal is hiring reporters. Knowledge of business is a
plus, along with using social media to source and promote content. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required. Send cover letter, three clips and résumé to applydallas@bizjournals.com. Include the text of your cover letter as the body of your e-mail and attach
the résumé. ...
The Associated Press seeks a politics and government reporter for its
Washington, D.C., location. Qualifications: two or more years covering politics
at a state level, national politics or Washington and government; a
demonstrated understanding of the nexus between campaigning and governing; a
familiarity with Congress, the White House and the relationship between the
two. Apply here. ...
The Midland Reporter-Telegram seeks a versatile features reporter, possibly an
entry-level candidate. Ability to work on web projects and speak Spanish are
pluses. Send clips and résumé to features editor Megan Buck, mbuck@mrt.com, 201 E. Illinois Ave., Midland, Texas, 79701. ...
Politico seeks an experienced journalist to edit and help direct coverage of
technology policy. Send cover letter, résumé and contact information for three references to employment@politico.com, subject line: Deputy Tech Editor.
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NEW AND RETURNING MEMBERS
SPJ ... Elizabeth Simnacher, Elizabeth Simnacher Co.
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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN
Chris Smith, Greater Fort Worth PRSA
The Worthy Awards gained great momentum in just their second year, as committee
chair and board director Margaret Ritsch, APR, shared the news post-deadline about the number of entries impressively
surpassing established goals.
“It’s already clear that the Worthy Awards have become a very competitive contest,” she said. “Clearly, the market was ripe for a new awards program for public relations
professionals in North Texas.” Success may also be partially attributed to the 2011 folding of the Texas
Public Relations Association, which also held an annual awards competition.
In any case, you won’t want to miss the presentation of these awards honoring Fort Worth’s most inspiring, influential and innovative communicators. Plan to attend our
Worthy Awards Gala, April 25 at the Fort Worth Club. Tickets are going fast, so
visit the website now to register.
In other news, do you know what APR stands for? The Associated Press
abbreviation for April? Annual percentage rate? Accreditation in Public
Relations? American Poetry Review? Actually, it’s all of the above, but for public relations practitioners the third answer is
the most relevant.
APR hails as a mark of distinction for public relations professionals who
demonstrate broad knowledge, strategic perspective and sound personal judgment.
Veterans say you become more marketable and earn higher pay with an APR. See if
it’s so April 10 when we shine a light on the benefits of earning the prestigious
credential. This month’s program will feature APR Committee co-chairs Sandra Brodnicki, APR, and Linda Jacobson, APR, plus others who have earned the APR or are going through the process.
Come hear what all the fuss is about and prepare to be enlightened. As always,
right?
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OVER & OUT
John Dycus, Fort Worth SPJ
Fine job, Rebecca Aguilar, on the interview/profile/video with Dallas Morning News Mexico bureau chief Alfredo Corchado, discussing his book, “Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey Through a Country’s Descent into Darkness,” at the March SPJ meeting. ...
Can it be 10 years already? The chapter’s 10th annual First Amendment Awards and Scholarship Dinner, a magical night of
just a little pomp and much circumstance, will be Friday, April 19, at Cacharel
in Arlington. Go here to tell us you’re coming and here for a reminder why you should. ...
Several scholarships are available for members who want to attend Excellence in Journalism 2013 (EIJ13). SPJ will select up to five Terry Harper Memorial Scholarship winners,
six Diversity Leadership Fellows and one student recipient of the Robert D.G.
Lewis First Amendment Award. Each scholarship covers conference registration
and some travel, in addition to perqs that vary by award. Application deadline is April 29. Direct questions to Lauren Rochester at awards@spj.org.
Caught my eye. Environmentalists baffled at State Department claim Keystone XL would have
little environmental impact. ... Coal company kicks 10,000 workers off health care. ... Pollution now No. 1 cause of social unrest in China. ... Is xeriscaping ‘historically inappropriate’ in water-challenged Dallas? ... Super-sized mosquitoes to descend on Florida this summer, experts warn. ... Wonder nanomaterial could produce energy, clean water, hydrogen. ... Amazing energy-generating soccer ball launches on Kickstarter. ... Smart highways in the Netherlands will glow in the dark. ... 50 percent of all food produced Is wasted. ... Wood construction In North America scales up, gets gorgeous. ... Spin cell cones tout electricity at insanely low 8 cents per kWh. ... Nicholas Stern: ‘I got it wrong on climate change — it’s far, far worse.’ ... This in-depth tour of the International Space Station is just excellent. ... Ducted wind generator design claims higher output, lower costs. ... Plug-and-save DIY solar power makes residential green energy more accessible
than ever.
Closing words: “To play it safe is not to play.” — film director Robert Altman
Closing words II, the GOP on science, “leadership” in quotes division: “The best thing about the Earth is if you poke holes in it oil and gas come out.” — Rep. Steve Stockman, R-Texas’ 36th District
the LaRocque Family catalog ...
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