HomeAbout/Meet the Staff
SPJ 23 Website



2017: Anaheim


October 15th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Legendary reporter gives special toast and glimpse into tradition

Excellence in Journalism ’17 may be over, but there is one night that a couple of dozen journalists are treasuring, after being treated to history, culture and poetry from a legendary newsman. Retired TV reporter Rigo Chacon gave a memorable toast before this crowd, as he strolled down memory lane.


September 12th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
CUNY Graduate School of Journalism’s Founding Dean Stephen B. Shepard Brings Sobering View to SPJ President’s Installation Banquet

Despite the festive celebration, Shepard gave a thoughtful, thorough and sobering view on journalism's past and future. The room of distinguished journalists listened closely; if not for Shepard's voice, one could hear a pin drop. It would be a disservice to the journalism community to let Shepard's words remain within the confines of platinum 2 banquet hall of the Anaheim Marriott. Read them here.


September 11th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Analyzing the data behind EIJ News

After the excitement of the 2017 Excellence in Journalism conference had wound down, EIJ News Interns embarked on one final assignment--digging through the data. The EIJ News interns tap-tap-tapped their fingers through many live-Tweeting sessions on the EIJ Twitter account to crank out a total of 176 tweets during the conference. Their efforts produced over 51,200 Tweet impressions, an increase of more than 3,700 percent compared to the previous month, according to Twitter analytics.


September 10th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Grace Rauh Wins SPJ’s Sunshine Award for Outstanding Reporting on Government Accountability

The Society of Professional Journalists held its closing dinner at the Excellence in Journalism with a strong statement defending journalism. Grace Rauh, a political reporter at Spectrum News NY1 won the Sunshine Award for her investigative reports on New York City mayor Bill de Blasio. Grace Rauh is the lead plaintiff in an ongoing lawsuit titled Rauh v. de Blasio nicknamed 'Agents of the City'.


September 10th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Q&A: Data Journalism For Newbies

Pam Baker is a freelance journalist on the big data beat. She contributes to PC Magazine and a variety of tech media outlets. Her session at EIJ 2017 focused on rapid response protocol in news rooms when dealing with continuously flowing data to find relevant background and contextual information. Baker shared her knowledge for aspiring data journalists looking to get into the field.


September 10th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Award-winning journalist teaches newbies MMJ survival skills

Journalists with all levels of experience from student to pro packed a meeting room to hear tips on how to survive as a multimedia journalist. Shooting, editing and reporting require skills that every multimedia journalist has, but KGTV’s Joe Little showed journalists how to be more creative.


September 10th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Learn to unlock and unleash your broadcast voice

At the Excellence in Journalism conference Saturday morning, three broadcast professionals offered best practices and advice on how to find and focus your inner broadcast voice.


September 10th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
‘Make journalism great again’: Rebecca Baker takes president post

New Society of Professional Journalists President Rebecca Baker told Society of Professional Journalist members that they are "stronger together."


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Stacie O. Johnson’s Family Home in Path of Irma

Students at the Excellence in Journalism Conference 2017 deep dive workshop with award-winning journalist Boyd Huppert experienced a range of emotions as he rolled out one heart-warming story after another from his KARE11 of Minnesota Land of 10,000 Stories segment. It was too much for freelance journalist Stacie O.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Pressing Issues: Reporting On A Changing Climate

Podcast: Reporting on climate is just as much of an art as it is a science. Telling the human side of climate change and keeping track of the facts go hand in hand.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
SPJ delegates pass bylaw change, resolutions at business meeting

SPJ concluded its business meeting on Saturday evening passing a bylaw change and several resolutions.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Suggested Newsroom Gear

Geek Out! Latest Gadgets Apps and Technology is an annual session where moderators and attendees get the chance to "Geek Out" over emerging technologies newsrooms and independent journalists can use. Tech gadgets related to 360 video and social media editing were the main focus of this year's session.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Q&A: New SPJ president highlights plans for community outreach

In her last hours as the Society of Professional Journalists’ president-elect, Rebecca Baker discussed her plans for the organization with the EIJ News Team.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
White House Correspondents Defend Journalism During Super Session

White House correspondents had a candid conversation of what it means to cover the White House in the Trump age. "I think we are living in challenging times," said CNN Senior Correspondent Jim Acosta,"Forgive me if this sounds a little too much, but at times there are attempts to twist what is being said. Our sense of reality is being warped."


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Press freedom advocates encourage media professionals to support New Voices legislation

Student journalists are more vulnerable than ever before, and it's time for professional media to step in and help, student press freedom advocates said during their Excellence in Journalism session Friday afternoon. In an effort to give more authority to student media, the nationwide New Voices campaign is going state by state to help introduce anti-censorship legislation that will grant extra protections to student journalists.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Upcoming Job Opening at Society of Professional Journalists for Journalist On Call

A new Journalist On-Call position has been created by the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation. The SDX Board Voted 16-6 in favor of the pilot position. The position would pay up to $180,000, which includes advertising, travel, salary, and benefits. SDX Board President Robert Leger explains the role of the new “Journalist On-Call” position.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim, Featured
Jake Tapper reminds reporters to be ‘equal-opportunity skeptics’ at awards ceremony

As he was honored for his contributions to journalism and maintaining a free press at the Excellence in Journalism conference, CNN chief Washington correspondent Jake Tapper  urged a room of reporters to work hard to “earn back the trust of the American people.”


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Closing the leadership gap: panelists discuss how to be self-advocates

A panel of authors and journalists share experiences in gender inequality in the newsroom, as well as how to overcome implicit bias.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
Pressing Issues: Understanding Native Truths

Podcast: For this episode of Pressing Issues -- avoiding the inaccurate representation of Native American and Alaskan communities throughout history and in the present day with Crystal Echohawk -- CEO of EchoHawk Consulting.


September 9th, 2017 • 2017: Anaheim
SPJ committee to present resolutions at business meeting for debate

At the final SPJ business meeting this week, the Resolutions Committee will present at least two issues to spark debate among delegates.