Newsrooms in the news

Some interesting items from the world of journalism that have Maryland connections of one sort or another.

• First, an essay by David Simon that asks the question "Does news matter to anyone anymore?"that appeared in Jan. 20 Washington Post. As you may know, Simon is a former crime reporter for The Sun and the author of "Homicide: A year on the killing streets". He is also the force behind the NBC crime drama based on Homicide, an HBO mini-series based on his book "The Corner" and the critically acclaimed HBO series "The Wire." The show's current and final season has a story line that involved The Sun.
• Here's a piece on Simon and his essay that appeared in the Jan. 21 edition of the New York Times entitled "Ex-newsman laments a dying craft."
• Additional coverage of the mutual parting of the ways/firing of Los Angeles Times editor James O'Shea. First, his parting speech which was published on LA Observed. Second, a more in-depth piece from the Wall Street Journal. The LA Times is owned by Tribune, which also owns The Sun. Tribune was recently sold to Sam Zell and became a privately held company. (In the interest of full disclosure, I work for Patuxent Publishing Co. which is also owned by Tribune.)
  
• And this late post on the LA Times incident at Columbia Journalism Review.
  

— Bryan P. Sears
chapter president

Call For Entries

The 2007 Maryland Excellence in Journalism Awards contest is now officially accepting entries.

Official post cards are in the mail (you may have already received yours) but I thought I'd take a moment to explain one of the biggest changes here.

The chapter is no longer mailing entry packets. We made this decision because of the numerous requests we've received over the last few years to make the contest rules and entry forms available for download.

Yes, there is a benefit to the chapter in as much as it is fiscally responsible. The chapter ultimately saves on postage and printing costs which means that we'll have more money in the account for servicing you, our valued members.

Already we've held a successful social event at the Towson AMF bowling lanes. If you missed it, find someone who attended and ask them about it. We hope to do more events like this in the future.

So get those entries together and get them in. The postmark deadline is Feb. 29.

Also, if you know of a news organization or Maryland-based journalist or freelancer let them know about the contest. It's open to all reporters in the state even if they aren't members — but they get a price break if they join (Hey, it's a selling point).

Good luck to everyone.

— Bryan P. Sears
chapter president

Annapolis watch

One of the goals for the chapter this year is to keep tabs on bills in Annapolis that have an effect on laws journalists should care about.

Specifically, the state Public Information and Open Meetings Acts.

The 90-day General Assembly Session opened on Jan. 9 and the legislature wasted no time getting in its first bill.

Del. Michael Smigiel is currently the sole sponsor of House Bill 77, a bill that would open state court to audio and video recording during the sentencing phase of a criminal trial. You can download a copy of the bill here.

The bill is identical to last year's House Bill 207 which Smigiel also sponsored. That bill was killed in the House Judiciary Committee which is chaired by Del. Joseph Vallario. An easy to read copy of the fiscal and policy note on the bill is available here. Since this year's bill is identical the notes on the bill should also be the same.

If passed, the bill creates a system that potentially could open criminal sentencing hearings to journalists who want to video or audio record the proceedings.

Before opening the hearing, one or more journalists would have to file a request with the courts that:

• Identifies the hearing to be covered.
• Identifies the dates of media coverage requested.
• Describes any pool arrangements made by media organizations.
• Describes equipment used.
• Identifies the members of the media who will be present during the the hearing.

A judge then must sign off on the request but can limit or deny access if the coverage:

• denies a defendant the right to a fair and impartial trial;
• substantially compromises the civil rights or safety of a party involved in the hearing;
• disrupts access to information by other news-gathering organizations.
  

The bill would not open courtrooms up to audio and video recordings, leaving in place a policy that essentially handicaps radio and television reporters (as well as print reporters posting audio or video to Web sites).

In November, I testified on behalf of the chapter in favor of opening state courtrooms to audio and video recordings during a public hearing held by the state judiciary. The rules being considered by that panel could open trials as well as sentencing hearings.

The rules currently in place have been historically discriminatory to television and radio journalists. With the advent of the Internet and new media, these rules affect all reporters and limit both scrutiny of the judiciary, a third and co-equal branch of government, and the public's access to information.

— Bryan P. Sears
chapter president

Welcome / Frederick County school board drags its feet

As president of the Maryland Pro Chapter of SPJ, I'd like to welcome you to the chapter's blog.

The goal is to use this blog to supplement the chapter Web site communicate effectively and regularly with you and other journalists who are not yet members of the society. We also want to hear from you.

This is a chance to talk back. Give us your feedback, your ideas, tell us your needs or share a story you're proud of or an issue you're having on the job.

As always, you can contact me at bpsears@gmail.com .

Now, onto something more interesting.

Those of you who know me are aware that I am very interested in issues involving access to government — specifically the Maryland Public Information Act and the Open Meeting Act.

Here's an interesting note from Sarah Breitenbach, Maryland Pro vice president and education reporter (and former state house reporter) for the Frederick News-Post.

Seems the Frederick County School Board is a little slow when it comes to fessing up on how much it spends to feed its school board.

It's a budget item. It's clearly a matter of public record.

And clearly the board is intent on delaying the release of the information. Just asking a reporter to file the request is proof. The Act covers the request of documents but does not cover getting answers to a question.

There is a difference between asking a question and wanting a document such as an invoice.

Breitenbach initially asked an employee for the total spent so far this year.

"It was for a notebook item," Breitenbach said. "It really was supposed to be a sentence which is why I thought I'd just call."

Her request ended up asking for a couple of years worth of figures but still just totals. This is something the school system's chief budget officer could have handled by calling the budget people and getting an answer.

It's certain to be in a computer somewhere even if they had to isolate it from a larger fund.

As an aside, it should be noted that had invoices been requested the Attorney General's Handbook on the Public Information Act recommends that government employees immediately turn over documents that are known to be public record.

— Bryan P. Sears
chapter president