Free Drinks with a Famous Journalist! Nov 30th.
November 21, 2009
The North Central Florida Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists cordially invites you to join us for drinks and appetizers with financial journalist Dennis Kneale, media and technology editor of CNBC, former managing editor of Forbes magazine, former editor of the Independent Florida Alligator and a graduate of the UF journalism program.
If you follow business news, you’ve heard of Dennis Kneale. He joined CNBC 2007 after a distinguished career in print journalism. He graduated UF in 1979, after serving as editor of the Alligator, and he worked at the Sun-Sentinel in Ft. Lauderdale before moving to the Wall Street Journal in 1982. He spent 16 years at the Journal, working his way up to senior editor. He then joined Forbes Magazine, where he was managing editor overseeing such major business stories as the Internet boom and bust. He moved to CNBC in October 2007 as the network’s media and technology editor. You can now see him on TV several times a week. But he’s not just a TV personality. Dennis is a very dynamic person and a genuinely nice guy.
Come, network with your SPJ friends and meet Dennis Kneale at Shooting Star restaurant, 203 SW 2nd St., Gainesville, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30. SPJ will buy the first $250 worth of drinks, and Shooting Star will provide appetizers -- so don’t be late.
An RSVP is not mandatory, but Shooting Star and your local SPJ chapter would appreciate a head count, so please email chapter president, Dave Carlson, at dcarlson@jou.ufl.edu if you plan to attend, and please invite your fellow journalists to join us.
2009 North Central Florida Society of Professional Journalists Awards of Excellence Competition
October 16, 2009
The North Central Florida Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to announce the Florida Awards of Excellence contest, open to all print (newspapers, magazines), broadcast (television, radio) and online journalists in Florida.
Download the additional documents and entry forms here:
Health Journalism Event (even for non-health reporters!)
September 29, 2009
Oct. 16-17 in Miami
The conference will have a focus on aging. Good speakers, good story ideas, especially with current events unfolding. Panels dealing with demographics, aging issues in ethnic communities, health reform and the aging, and a lot more.
www.healthjournalism.org/aging
View the itinerary here.
NCF Pro Chapter Earns National Award
September 1, 2009
The North Central Florida Pro Chapter was selected this year to receive a Circle of Excellence Award for chapter communication. The chapter was recognized at the 2009 SPJ National Convention and Journalism Conference in August. The award was presented during the closing business meeting. Congratulations and thank you to all chapter members who helped make this achievement possible.
SPJ North Central Florida Chapter makes donation in tribute to SPJ Executive Director
June 3, 2009
Remembering Terry Harper
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you SPJ Executive Director Terry Harper passed away at 1:20 p.m. EST today.
As many of you know, Terry had been battling brain cancer for the past two years. He deserves a great deal of credit for the strong position SPJ is in as the nation's largest and leading journalism organization. He served as executive director for seven years.
Terry was not only a steady, energetic and decisive leader, he was our friend. Terry and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.
For those of you who knew Terry, you won't be surprised to hear there will be a "nontraditional" tribute to him on Saturday evening in the Indianapolis area. On Sunday evening, per Terry's request, there will be a rip-roaring party in his honor. All are welcome to attend. More details will be provided in the coming days.
As news of Terry's failing health spread the past few days, many of you asked how you could help. We have opened an account on behalf of Terry's family. This money will be used as the family chooses during this difficult time. Get all the information for donating here. We will also later be announcing details for a more lasting tribute to Terry. Stay tuned to SPJ.org for more information.
For now, we encourage you to post your comments and stories about Terry at the SPJ Web site. He would be thrilled to know he is the center of attention.
Finally, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Terry was a truly wonderful husband and father, and a tremendous asset for SPJ. Indeed, his talent, truth and energy were invaluable assets for the Society and the journalism profession. If you'd like, you can send cards and condolences to Terry's family at:
680 Middle Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46201
SPJ rescinds Ocala Magazine writing awards
March 26, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Society of Professional Journalists
North Central Florida Professional Chapter
Contact: Ana-Klara Anderson, President
email: anaklara@aol.com
phone: 813-388-3343
web site: www.spjchapters.org/northcentralflorida/index.html
SPJ RESCINDS AWARDS FOR PLAGIARIZED ARTICLES
After reviewing clear-cut evidence of systematic plagiarism by the editor of Ocala Magazine, the North Central Florida Society of Professional Journalists Professional Chapter, which runs the Florida Awards of Excellence competition, voted unanimously to rescind all writing awards for work with Heather Lee's byline or in which Lee played a significant editorial role.
A total of 10 awards were rescinded. Four were in the "Best Overall Magazine" or "Best Written Magazine" categories. Six of the rescinded awards honored articles carrying Lee’s byline.
"SPJ and its members strive to serve the public with accurate, truthful, and fair reporting. The awards program is intended to honor these ideals," said Ana-Klara Anderson, the chapter's president. "Given the overwhelming evidence of frequent plagiarism, we had no choice but to rescind every award tainted by Ms. Lee’s byline.”
The SPJ board voted not to rescind awards won by Ocala Magazine in design and photography categories because there was no evidence of plagiarism.
"It's unfortunate that Ms. Lee's actions brought discredit to the magazine, but we want to limit the aftermath of her dishonesty and not drag innocent and hardworking journalists into the mess she created," Anderson said.
Ocala Magazine has 10 days to appeal the SPJ board's decision in writing, although Anderson said the board does not expect such an appeal given the extensive evidence against Lee.
The board said it was pleased that Ocala Magazine's publisher took actions to terminate Lee's employment. The magazine's publisher also offered to return any SPJ awards for plagiarized articles.
According to Anderson, the magazine may no longer advertise the rescinded awards in any promotional materials about itself. The board has also advised the magazine to destroy any plaques or letters of recognition received as a result of the awards.
"Lee's plagiarism affected all of us: the society that runs the awards, the journalists against whom she and her magazine competed, and every person who believed in her work," Anderson said. "Our competition is about honoring the best of journalism, not the worst."
The following awards were rescinded:
2008
Best Overall Magazine- 2nd place
Best Written Magazine - 1st place
Best Humor Column/Feature - 1st place
Best Public Service Coverage - 1st place
2007
Best Overall Magazine - 3rd place
Best Written Magazine - 3rd place
Best Feature - 1st and 2nd place
Best Humor Column/Feature - 1st place
Best Public Service Coverage - 2nd place
###
If you would like more information about this issue or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Ana-Klara Anderson at 813-388-3343.
March 19th, 2009
Florida Media Outlet Guilty of Plagiarism
WCJB TV20
March 24th, 2009
Publisher of Ocala Magazine fires Heather Lee, editor of the magazine, after plagiarism allegations
Ocala Star-Banner
March 26, 2009
SPJ rescinds Ocala Mag. awards amid plagiarism charges
The Independent Florida Alligator
March 27, 2009
SPJ rescinds 10 Ocala Magazine awards
Ocala Star-Banner
April 7, 2009
Ocala Magazine names new editors
Ocala Magazine
Attend the SPJ Regional Conference: Unconventional 2009
North Central Florida Professional Chapter members attend free (we'll reimburse up to $40 of your registration fee when at the conference). Student Chapter members will be reimbursed for half their registration costs. Email chapter president Ana-Klara Hering at anaklara@aol.com to sign up for this membership benefit.
2008 Florida Awards of Excellence Results Announced
Dec 7, 2008
Congratulations to all the winners of this year's competition. View the winners here: PDF
The banquet will be held January 17th, 2009 in Gainesville Florida.
View the awards program here: PDF
Information on registration:
Florida Awards of Excellence Banquet
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009
Clarion Gainesville Hotel West
Gainesville
Social: 6:15 p.m. (cash bar will be available)
Dinner: 7 p.m.
Banquet: 7:45 p.m.
Cost: $35
Banquet attendance is free to all members of the North Central Florida SPJ Chapter
Checks payable to North Central Florida SPJ
Send to: Larry Savage
Coordinator
Florida Awards of Excellence
P.O. Box 140743
Gainesville, FL 32614-0743
Cost: $36.50 if paid by credit card ($1.50 paypal service fee)
Credit card payments accepted, payable through paypal to floridaspjawards@yahoo.com
Directions to Clarion Gainesville Hotel West (formerly Holiday Inn)
General Directions:
Take exit 387 off I-75. Turn left at the first traffic light (Newberry Road) SR26. Hotel is on the left side of the street.
Banquet Speaker: Jeff Moriarty, New York Times Regional Media Group
Jeff Moriarty is vice president for new media for The New York Times
Regional Media Group, responsible for the Internet strategy and operations
for the group's 15 newspapers. Mr. Moriarty joined the Times Company in
1993 at The Gainesville Sun, developing some of that newsaper's first Web
sites. He also has served as vice president for product and technology for
Boston.com; director of classifieds operations at NYTimes.com, vice
president and general manager for GolfDigest.com (previously owned by the
Times Company); vice president for regional and emerging properties, New
York Times Digital; and director of online publications at The Santa Rosa
Press Democrat. He is a graduate of the University of Florida College of
Journalism.