6SRW1HZV

VoI. 15, No. 6 FEBRUARY 2009

A pubIication of the East Tennessee Chapter
of the Society of ProfessionaI JournaIists
www.etspj.org
1802 Pinoak Ct.
KnoxviIIe, TN 37923
Feb. 26-Program on how area news
media cover race issues, 7 p.m., Cansler
YMCA, Winona at 5th Ave.
March 2-ETSPJ board meeting, 9 a.m.,
Long's Drug Store
March 27-"Writing Green, conference
on environmental issues, with panels on
air, water, energy and soil/land in East
Tennessee, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Calhoun's on
the River
ApriI 3-4-SPJ Region 12 Spring Con-
February program: How
news media cover race
SEE FROM THE PRESIDENT, PAGE 2
From the president
BY MIA RHODARMER
ETSPJ
RHODARMER
1. Some of the attendees
around the tabIes at CaIhoun's.
2. From Ieft, Rep. Harry TindeII
of KnoxviIIe, Sen. Randy Mc-
NaIIy of Oak Ridge and Sen.
Tim Burchett of KnoxviIIe share
Photos from Legislative Preview Dinner Jan. 29
'Writing Green' conference
set all day on March 27
PHOTOS BY JEAN ASH
Your SPJ chapter board
members are busy plan-
ning a variety of programs
for the coming months.
Later this month we will
host a diversity program
to discuss how the news
media cover race and
diversity. This is a timely
program with the inauguration of the
country`s frst black president.
Shortly after President Barack H. Obama
was elected, I wrote a column for our
paper and stated I hoped that people did
not think just because we had elected
a black president that racism no longer
exists. Unfortunately, it exists in small
towns and large cities across our country.
Ideally, we would live in a world where
people are not judged by their race, gender,
religious beliefs or ethnicity. The point of
my column was that although this was a
great historical moment for our country,
the work for equality must continue.
The next day I was shocked when a
woman called and accused me of being a
racist because I had mentioned racism. She
also was upset that we had not published
more about Obama`s campaign and a pic-
ture of him on election night. I explained to
her we are a small local paper and that we
do not subscribe to the Associated Press,
or any other wire service, and therefore
we cannot publish the photos and articles
she had seen in the News Sentinel. That
explanation seemed somewhat to change
her opinion that our paper was biased and
a McCain supporter.
The topic of this month`s ETSPJ
program: 'Different faces: How the news
media cover race and diversity.
It is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at
the Cansler YMCA at the corner of Winona
and 5th Ave.
The goal of the program is discussion
about how issues of race and diversity
are covered in the news media. Among
questions that may be covered are:
Are stories covered differently when
they involve minorities?
Are issues of importance in minority
and other diverse groups given appropriate
coverage in the news media?
Are differences in diversity helped or
made worse when they become part of a
news story?
Those confrmed to be on the program
are Saadia Williams, former executive
director of the Race Relations Center of
East Tennessee and now secretary of the
board of directors of the United Way of
Greater Knoxville, and Loida Valesquez,
who works with various community orga-
nizations. Her husband, Luis, is founder of
the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
A representative of the Highlander Center
has been invited to participate.
Light refreshments will be served.
Michael Grider, program chairman of
ETSPJ, and Kristi Nelson, also a member
of the board, are working on program
arrangements.
Join ETSPJ for a mini-
conference about environ-
mental journalism Friday,
March 27, in the banquet
hall on the upper foor of
Calhoun`s on the River.
The day-long conference,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will address
many of the difficulties
journalists face when covering the envi-
ronmental beat, such as understanding and
translating legal, technical and scientifc
issues; fnding sources; using different
angles and approaches; dealing with ethi-
cal problems; packaging stories for today`s
media market; and more. The objective is
to prepare present and future journalists to
handle the massive amount of information
related to environmental topics.
The keynote speaker will be Jim Detjen,
director of the Knight Center for Envi-
ronmental Journalism at Michigan State
University, East Lansing. He will discuss
the history of environmental journalism
and what journalists on the 'environ-
mental beat have to look forward to in
the future.
SEE CONFERENCE, PAGE 2
DETJEN
ference, Little Rock, Ark.
ApriI/May TBA-Ethics program in coop-
eration with national SPJ
May 15-Golden Press Card Awards
banquet, The Foundry
June 5-7-Ted Scripps Leadership nsti-
tute, ndianapolis
JuIy 18-Front Page Follies, Knoxville
Convention Center
Aug. 27-29-National SPJ Convention,
100th anniversary observance, ndia-
napolis
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
a Iaugh. 3. Rep. Doug Overbey
of MaryviIIe speaks. 4. From
Ieft, MicheIe NeaI, Randy NeaI,
Greg Johnson, Ray Abbas and
Judith MaIIory.
4 - Spot News
The deadline for the March is-
sue of Spot News is March 2.
1
2
3
4
Mia Phodarmer, presidehI
Jeah Ash, IrsI vice presidehI
ahd commuhicaIiohs coordihaIor
Elehora E. Edwards, secohd vice presidehI/
Goldeh Press Card Awards ahd SpoI News
ediIor
Johh HuoIari, secreIary ahd immediaIe pasI
presidehI
DoroIhy Bowles, Ireasurer ahd FO chairmah
Johh Becker, membership chairmah
Michael Grider, program chairmah
Amahda Womac, diversiIy chairmah ahd
sIudehI liaisoh
KrisIi Nelsoh Bumpus, eIhics chairmah
CaIherihe Howell, Georgiaha Vihes, aI large,
Adiha Chumley, e oIIcio
ETSPJ Ofhcers and Board of Directors 2008-09
ETSPJ pubIishes Spot News ih paper
ahd PDF versiohs. To subscribe,
ohe shoul d cohIacI Jeah Ash,
commuhicaIiohs coordihaIor, aI
[email protected]. The PDF
versioh is available aI www.eIspi.
org, Ihe chapIer Web siIe.
Letters to the Editor PoIicy:The board
ehcourages leIIers Io Ihe ediIor oI
SpoI News. Like leIIers policies aI
mosI hewspapers, we ask IhaI leIIers
be limiIed Io 200 words or less. They
will be subiecI Io ediIihg Ior space
ahd cohIehI. Sehd e-mail Io ETSPJ.
[email protected].
6SRW1HZV
200S-09 editor
Elenora E. Edwards
[email protected]
(865) 457-5459
From the president
FROM PAGE ONE
2 - Spot News Spot News - 3
News media panel
It is always interesting to learn what
our readers (or viewers or listeners) think
about our work, and I appreciate the op-
portunity to talk to them about the deci-
sion-making process that goes into our
news coverage.
I look forward to hearing from our
panelists. The program will be at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26, at the YMCA Cansler
Family Branch in Knoxville.
In April we again will have the oppor-
tunity to hear from the public when we
team up with national SPJ to hold a town
hall meeting during Ethics in Journalism
Week. The topic of the meeting will be
media credibility. We have been chosen as
one of 12 chapters across the country to
host one of the meetings. Victor Hernan-
dez, who works at CNN and is a Poynter
Institute Ethics Fellow, will moderate the
meeting.
One of the goals of SPJ`s strategic plan
is restore the public`s faith in the press by
equipping the public with tools to evaluate
all forms of journalism, and we want to
increase the dialogue between the public
and the press. The town hall meetings will
be one way to accomplish that goal. We
will ask all our journalists in East Tennes-
see to help promote this event.
Front Page Follies
I want to take this opportunity to thank
Adina Chumley and Dorothy Bowles for
agreeing to chair the Front Page Follies.
There has been much discussion during the
past several months about what to do about
Follies. This is our biggest fundraiser and
helps fund the two scholarships we provide
to journalism students at UT and Pellissippi
State. However, the task of planning the
event is a monumental one, and we have
been concerned about how the economy
will affect ticket and auction sales. But
the show will go on, and we hope you will
support this important event. Mark your
calendar for July 18.
Visit our Web site, www.estpj.org, for a
complete listing and details of upcoming
events.
Get involved
As your president, I ask you to attend
and get involved in the chapter`s activities.
While your dues memberships are impor-
tant to the continuance of SPJ`s work at the
national level, your local chapter provides
wonderful training and educational op-
portunities. Most of our events are free or
offered at low cost to members. And, we can
always use extra hands in the planning pro-
cess of the events. If you would like to serve
on one of our committees or have an idea
for a program or fund-raiser, please contact
me at [email protected]
or call (423) 337-7101.
Conference
More information about the Detjen and
the Knight Center for Environmental
Journalism are available at www.ej.msu.
edu/index2.php.
Panel sessions include the following:
Introduction to Environmental Issues
in Southern Appalachia (9-10:15 a.m.)-
Panel members will discuss basic water,
air, land, transportation and energy issues
as they pertain to Southern Appalachia.
Environmental Law and Policy (10:30-
11:45 a.m.)-Panel members will discuss
law and policy issues pertinent to environ-
mental quality in Southern Appalachia.
They will also discuss how recent rule
changes could affect water quality in
Tennessee.
Lunch with keynote speaker Jim De-
tjen, director of Knight Center for En-
vironmental Journalism-(12 noon-1:30
p.m.)-Have you ever wondered how
the environmental beat started? Or what
issues journalists face along the way?
Detjen will answer these questions and
more over lunch.
The Energy Beat (1:30-3 p.m.)-As cli-
mate change increasingly becomes THE
story for environmental issues, energy
and the environmental become a pos-
sible story package. Panel members will
discuss particular aspects of energy in the
Tennessee Valley, specifcally focusing on
coal and its role in environmental issues in
Southern Appalachia. Panelists also will
focus on the media coverage of the recent
coal ash spill in Roane County.
Application of Environmental Journal-
ism (3:15-5 p.m.)-Seasoned environ-
mental journalists will share tips for jour-
nalists on the environmental beat such as
source selection, objectivity and balance,
and packaging the environmental story for
print, online and broadcast. Panelists also
will discuss how they covered the coal ash
spill in Roane County.
Preregistration is $15 for SPJ members
and $20 for non-SPJ members. Student
registration is $15 with valid I.D. Registra-
tion fees include lunch and all conference
materials. The deadline for preregistration.
Registration after that and at the door will
be $30.
For the registration form, go to www.
etspj.org.
Registration fees may be paid by check
made payable to ETSPJ and mailed with
downloaded registration form to Amanda
Womac, P.O. Box 1101, Knoxville, Tenn.
37901.
If one wishes to pay by credit card, go to
www.etspj.org. Be sure to check the box
on the e-mail registration form that you
have paid via the PayPal button. (You may
use major credit cards via PayPal.)
For more information about the conference
or sponsorship opportunities, e-mail Aman-
da Womac (amanda@hellbenderpress.
com).
FROM PAGE ONE
BY RANDY NEAL
www.knoxviews.com
Local media gathered with area Tennes-
see legislators Jan. 29 to talk about the
upcoming legislative session. The panel
discussion was hosted by the East Ten-
nessee Society of Professional Journalists,
who invited all area legislators, media and
the public to attend.
The session was moderated by WBIR
anchor John Becker, and participants were
Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), Sen.
Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), Sen. Tim
Burchett (R-Knoxville), Rep. Harry Tindell
(D-Knoxville), Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knox-
ville), Rep. Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville)
and Rep. Ryan Haynes (R-Knoxville).
Following is our summary report of the
discussions, followed by links to more
detailed remarks by legislators.
The budget and a possible $1 billion
defcit were the main topics of concern,
but talk of money fowing to the states
from a federal stimulus package offers
hope that budget cuts and layoffs will not
be as severe as expected.
Sen. McNally, who chairs the Senate
Ways and Means Committee, reported
that the state`s pension funds had taken a
hit from the stock market crash but they
are sound and state employee pensions are
safe. He also said the state has $750 million
in the rainy day fund and that TennCare
has almost $500 million in reserves, so
in general the state is well prepared to
weather the current economic crisis, at
least for now.
Everyone agreed that protecting K-12
education is the top legislative priority,
and there is talk of taking another look at
the BEP 2.0 formula to help some of the
harder hit school systems and adjust some
perceived inequities. Rep. Tindell also
expressed concerns about cuts in higher
education and also that severe state bud-
get cuts and layoffs will shift some of the
burden to local governments. Sen. Burchett
said that he would also focus on mental
health programs during his last two years
in the legislature before he leaves to run
for Knox County mayor.
There was quite a bit of discussion about
the possibility of up to $3.8 billion in one-
time federal funding from the stimulus
package, including some debate about how
much of it would actually help stimulate
the state`s economy. There was general
agreement that the state should not use
one-time funding for recurring expenses.
There are also concerns that some of the
one-time infrastructure projects will result
in increased maintenance costs later on
after the stimulus money is gone.
Beyond some defned transportation and
infrastructure projects, though, the legis-
lature isn`t making specifc plans for any
stimulus money until they see more details
about what funding is authorized for what
purposes, what strings are attached, and
of course whether the bill gets through
Congress.
Regarding the controversial election of
Kent Williams as speaker of the House and
subsequent accusations that Rep. Brian
Kelsey had offered to back off attacks
against him in exchange for a committee
chair, nobody wanted to discuss any of the
specifcs. All seem to feel, however, that it
is mostly sensationalized partisan political
theater that will fade into the background
once the legislature gets to work on the
diffcult problems facing the state. Every-
one agreed that the Knox area delegation
works well together in an atmosphere of
trust, cooperation and mutual respect, and
that this should be the model for the entire
Tennessee General Assembly.
There was a lengthy discussion about
the Tennessee Plan for judicial selection
and sunsetting of the Judicial Selection
Committee. All but one legislator believe
the current system is unconstitutional and
should be replaced with non-partisan elec-
tion of judges. The lone dissenter, Sen.
Overbey, supports the Tennessee Plan,
said that the Tennessee Supreme Court
has ruled it constitutional, and offered sug-
gestions on ways to improve it. Everyone
agrees, however, that judicial selection will
change, whether it`s how the commission
is appointed, how judicial nominees are
evaluated or whether the system is scrapped
altogether in favor of elections.
A question was raised as to whether tax
cuts in a time of huge federal and state
defcits were sound economic policy. Sen.
Burchett said 'you can`t tax your way to
prosperity. This also led to a discussion
of a state income tax, and Sen. Burchett
and Rep. Dunn both vigorously defended
Tennessee`s low-tax, business-friendly
status.
There was also some interesting discus-
sion about open records and meetings, with
Rep. Dunn explaining that the legislature
is different from a smaller county commis-
sion body and that the state`s sunshine law
as written would be too restrictive. Rep.
Brooks also argued that crafting good
policy cannot happen without extensive
discussion among legislators. Rep. Haynes
noted, however, that there is a double stan-
dard and that perhaps the legislature should
take a look at changes to the sunshine law
that would make it work for state govern-
ment as well as local governments.
The panel discussion was a great oppor-
tunity for local media to hear from area
legislators about plans for the upcoming
session. The relaxed, informal atmosphere,
along with John Becker`s skillful modera-
tion, encouraged an excellent exchange of
information. Thanks to ETSPJ for organiz-
ing and hosting the event.
For a transcription of the entire discussion,
go to www.knoxviews.com.
Seven appear on paneI about IegisIature
Kristi Nelson Bumpus, health writer at
the News Sentinel, Knoxville, has begun
a health-focus blog, 'Health Hits, on the
News Sentinel Web site, www.knoxnews.
com.
'I`m hoping it will provide a place for
some of the information and topics that
would have run in our now-defunct weekly
Health section (and for which there is now
often no space in the newspaper). I`m also
hoping to start some health dialogues and
connect with the community. I expect to
spot a mixture of health tips and discus-
sion, resources..., more in-depth coverage
of some health topics...and possibly some
health-related community happenings,
Nelson Bumpus said.
Writer begins blog
Mia Phodarmer, presidehI
Jeah Ash, IrsI vice presidehI
ahd commuhicaIiohs coordihaIor
Elehora E. Edwards, secohd vice presidehI/
Goldeh Press Card Awards ahd SpoI News
ediIor
Johh HuoIari, secreIary ahd immediaIe pasI
presidehI
DoroIhy Bowles, Ireasurer ahd FO chairmah
Johh Becker, membership chairmah
Michael Grider, program chairmah
Amahda Womac, diversiIy chairmah ahd
sIudehI liaisoh
KrisIi Nelsoh Bumpus, eIhics chairmah
CaIherihe Howell, Georgiaha Vihes, aI large,
Adiha Chumley, e oIIcio
ETSPJ Ofhcers and Board of Directors 2008-09
ETSPJ pubIishes Spot News ih paper
ahd PDF versiohs. To subscribe,
ohe shoul d cohIacI Jeah Ash,
commuhicaIiohs coordihaIor, aI
[email protected]. The PDF
versioh is available aI www.eIspi.
org, Ihe chapIer Web siIe.
Letters to the Editor PoIicy:The board
ehcourages leIIers Io Ihe ediIor oI
SpoI News. Like leIIers policies aI
mosI hewspapers, we ask IhaI leIIers
be limiIed Io 200 words or less. They
will be subiecI Io ediIihg Ior space
ahd cohIehI. Sehd e-mail Io ETSPJ.
[email protected].
6SRW1HZV
200S-09 editor
Elenora E. Edwards
[email protected]
(865) 457-5459
From the president
FROM PAGE ONE
2 - Spot News Spot News - 3
News media panel
It is always interesting to learn what
our readers (or viewers or listeners) think
about our work, and I appreciate the op-
portunity to talk to them about the deci-
sion-making process that goes into our
news coverage.
I look forward to hearing from our
panelists. The program will be at 7 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 26, at the YMCA Cansler
Family Branch in Knoxville.
In April we again will have the oppor-
tunity to hear from the public when we
team up with national SPJ to hold a town
hall meeting during Ethics in Journalism
Week. The topic of the meeting will be
media credibility. We have been chosen as
one of 12 chapters across the country to
host one of the meetings. Victor Hernan-
dez, who works at CNN and is a Poynter
Institute Ethics Fellow, will moderate the
meeting.
One of the goals of SPJ`s strategic plan
is restore the public`s faith in the press by
equipping the public with tools to evaluate
all forms of journalism, and we want to
increase the dialogue between the public
and the press. The town hall meetings will
be one way to accomplish that goal. We
will ask all our journalists in East Tennes-
see to help promote this event.
Front Page Follies
I want to take this opportunity to thank
Adina Chumley and Dorothy Bowles for
agreeing to chair the Front Page Follies.
There has been much discussion during the
past several months about what to do about
Follies. This is our biggest fundraiser and
helps fund the two scholarships we provide
to journalism students at UT and Pellissippi
State. However, the task of planning the
event is a monumental one, and we have
been concerned about how the economy
will affect ticket and auction sales. But
the show will go on, and we hope you will
support this important event. Mark your
calendar for July 18.
Visit our Web site, www.estpj.org, for a
complete listing and details of upcoming
events.
Get involved
As your president, I ask you to attend
and get involved in the chapter`s activities.
While your dues memberships are impor-
tant to the continuance of SPJ`s work at the
national level, your local chapter provides
wonderful training and educational op-
portunities. Most of our events are free or
offered at low cost to members. And, we can
always use extra hands in the planning pro-
cess of the events. If you would like to serve
on one of our committees or have an idea
for a program or fund-raiser, please contact
me at [email protected]
or call (423) 337-7101.
Conference
More information about the Detjen and
the Knight Center for Environmental
Journalism are available at www.ej.msu.
edu/index2.php.
Panel sessions include the following:
Introduction to Environmental Issues
in Southern Appalachia (9-10:15 a.m.)-
Panel members will discuss basic water,
air, land, transportation and energy issues
as they pertain to Southern Appalachia.
Environmental Law and Policy (10:30-
11:45 a.m.)-Panel members will discuss
law and policy issues pertinent to environ-
mental quality in Southern Appalachia.
They will also discuss how recent rule
changes could affect water quality in
Tennessee.
Lunch with keynote speaker Jim De-
tjen, director of Knight Center for En-
vironmental Journalism-(12 noon-1:30
p.m.)-Have you ever wondered how
the environmental beat started? Or what
issues journalists face along the way?
Detjen will answer these questions and
more over lunch.
The Energy Beat (1:30-3 p.m.)-As cli-
mate change increasingly becomes THE
story for environmental issues, energy
and the environmental become a pos-
sible story package. Panel members will
discuss particular aspects of energy in the
Tennessee Valley, specifcally focusing on
coal and its role in environmental issues in
Southern Appalachia. Panelists also will
focus on the media coverage of the recent
coal ash spill in Roane County.
Application of Environmental Journal-
ism (3:15-5 p.m.)-Seasoned environ-
mental journalists will share tips for jour-
nalists on the environmental beat such as
source selection, objectivity and balance,
and packaging the environmental story for
print, online and broadcast. Panelists also
will discuss how they covered the coal ash
spill in Roane County.
Preregistration is $15 for SPJ members
and $20 for non-SPJ members. Student
registration is $15 with valid I.D. Registra-
tion fees include lunch and all conference
materials. The deadline for preregistration.
Registration after that and at the door will
be $30.
For the registration form, go to www.
etspj.org.
Registration fees may be paid by check
made payable to ETSPJ and mailed with
downloaded registration form to Amanda
Womac, P.O. Box 1101, Knoxville, Tenn.
37901.
If one wishes to pay by credit card, go to
www.etspj.org. Be sure to check the box
on the e-mail registration form that you
have paid via the PayPal button. (You may
use major credit cards via PayPal.)
For more information about the conference
or sponsorship opportunities, e-mail Aman-
da Womac (amanda@hellbenderpress.
com).
FROM PAGE ONE
BY RANDY NEAL
www.knoxviews.com
Local media gathered with area Tennes-
see legislators Jan. 29 to talk about the
upcoming legislative session. The panel
discussion was hosted by the East Ten-
nessee Society of Professional Journalists,
who invited all area legislators, media and
the public to attend.
The session was moderated by WBIR
anchor John Becker, and participants were
Sen. Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge), Sen.
Doug Overbey (R-Maryville), Sen. Tim
Burchett (R-Knoxville), Rep. Harry Tindell
(D-Knoxville), Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knox-
ville), Rep. Harry Brooks (R-Knoxville)
and Rep. Ryan Haynes (R-Knoxville).
Following is our summary report of the
discussions, followed by links to more
detailed remarks by legislators.
The budget and a possible $1 billion
defcit were the main topics of concern,
but talk of money fowing to the states
from a federal stimulus package offers
hope that budget cuts and layoffs will not
be as severe as expected.
Sen. McNally, who chairs the Senate
Ways and Means Committee, reported
that the state`s pension funds had taken a
hit from the stock market crash but they
are sound and state employee pensions are
safe. He also said the state has $750 million
in the rainy day fund and that TennCare
has almost $500 million in reserves, so
in general the state is well prepared to
weather the current economic crisis, at
least for now.
Everyone agreed that protecting K-12
education is the top legislative priority,
and there is talk of taking another look at
the BEP 2.0 formula to help some of the
harder hit school systems and adjust some
perceived inequities. Rep. Tindell also
expressed concerns about cuts in higher
education and also that severe state bud-
get cuts and layoffs will shift some of the
burden to local governments. Sen. Burchett
said that he would also focus on mental
health programs during his last two years
in the legislature before he leaves to run
for Knox County mayor.
There was quite a bit of discussion about
the possibility of up to $3.8 billion in one-
time federal funding from the stimulus
package, including some debate about how
much of it would actually help stimulate
the state`s economy. There was general
agreement that the state should not use
one-time funding for recurring expenses.
There are also concerns that some of the
one-time infrastructure projects will result
in increased maintenance costs later on
after the stimulus money is gone.
Beyond some defned transportation and
infrastructure projects, though, the legis-
lature isn`t making specifc plans for any
stimulus money until they see more details
about what funding is authorized for what
purposes, what strings are attached, and
of course whether the bill gets through
Congress.
Regarding the controversial election of
Kent Williams as speaker of the House and
subsequent accusations that Rep. Brian
Kelsey had offered to back off attacks
against him in exchange for a committee
chair, nobody wanted to discuss any of the
specifcs. All seem to feel, however, that it
is mostly sensationalized partisan political
theater that will fade into the background
once the legislature gets to work on the
diffcult problems facing the state. Every-
one agreed that the Knox area delegation
works well together in an atmosphere of
trust, cooperation and mutual respect, and
that this should be the model for the entire
Tennessee General Assembly.
There was a lengthy discussion about
the Tennessee Plan for judicial selection
and sunsetting of the Judicial Selection
Committee. All but one legislator believe
the current system is unconstitutional and
should be replaced with non-partisan elec-
tion of judges. The lone dissenter, Sen.
Overbey, supports the Tennessee Plan,
said that the Tennessee Supreme Court
has ruled it constitutional, and offered sug-
gestions on ways to improve it. Everyone
agrees, however, that judicial selection will
change, whether it`s how the commission
is appointed, how judicial nominees are
evaluated or whether the system is scrapped
altogether in favor of elections.
A question was raised as to whether tax
cuts in a time of huge federal and state
defcits were sound economic policy. Sen.
Burchett said 'you can`t tax your way to
prosperity. This also led to a discussion
of a state income tax, and Sen. Burchett
and Rep. Dunn both vigorously defended
Tennessee`s low-tax, business-friendly
status.
There was also some interesting discus-
sion about open records and meetings, with
Rep. Dunn explaining that the legislature
is different from a smaller county commis-
sion body and that the state`s sunshine law
as written would be too restrictive. Rep.
Brooks also argued that crafting good
policy cannot happen without extensive
discussion among legislators. Rep. Haynes
noted, however, that there is a double stan-
dard and that perhaps the legislature should
take a look at changes to the sunshine law
that would make it work for state govern-
ment as well as local governments.
The panel discussion was a great oppor-
tunity for local media to hear from area
legislators about plans for the upcoming
session. The relaxed, informal atmosphere,
along with John Becker`s skillful modera-
tion, encouraged an excellent exchange of
information. Thanks to ETSPJ for organiz-
ing and hosting the event.
For a transcription of the entire discussion,
go to www.knoxviews.com.
Seven appear on paneI about IegisIature
Kristi Nelson Bumpus, health writer at
the News Sentinel, Knoxville, has begun
a health-focus blog, 'Health Hits, on the
News Sentinel Web site, www.knoxnews.
com.
'I`m hoping it will provide a place for
some of the information and topics that
would have run in our now-defunct weekly
Health section (and for which there is now
often no space in the newspaper). I`m also
hoping to start some health dialogues and
connect with the community. I expect to
spot a mixture of health tips and discus-
sion, resources..., more in-depth coverage
of some health topics...and possibly some
health-related community happenings,
Nelson Bumpus said.
Writer begins blog
6SRW1HZV
VoI. 15, No. 6 FEBRUARY 2009
A pubIication of the East Tennessee Chapter
of the Society of ProfessionaI JournaIists
www.etspj.org
1802 Pinoak Ct.
KnoxviIIe, TN 37923
Feb. 26-Program on how area news
media cover race issues, 7 p.m., Cansler
YMCA, Winona at 5th Ave.
March 2-ETSPJ board meeting, 9 a.m.,
Long's Drug Store
March 27-"Writing Green, conference
on environmental issues, with panels on
air, water, energy and soil/land in East
Tennessee, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Calhoun's on
the River
ApriI 3-4-SPJ Region 12 Spring Con-
February program: How
news media cover race
SEE FROM THE PRESIDENT, PAGE 2
From the president
BY MIA RHODARMER
ETSPJ
RHODARMER
1. Some of the attendees
around the tabIes at CaIhoun's.
2. From Ieft, Rep. Harry TindeII
of KnoxviIIe, Sen. Randy Mc-
NaIIy of Oak Ridge and Sen.
Tim Burchett of KnoxviIIe share
Photos from Legislative Preview Dinner Jan. 29
'Writing Green' conference
set all day on March 27
PHOTOS BY JEAN ASH
Your SPJ chapter board
members are busy plan-
ning a variety of programs
for the coming months.
Later this month we will
host a diversity program
to discuss how the news
media cover race and
diversity. This is a timely
program with the inauguration of the
country`s frst black president.
Shortly after President Barack H. Obama
was elected, I wrote a column for our
paper and stated I hoped that people did
not think just because we had elected
a black president that racism no longer
exists. Unfortunately, it exists in small
towns and large cities across our country.
Ideally, we would live in a world where
people are not judged by their race, gender,
religious beliefs or ethnicity. The point of
my column was that although this was a
great historical moment for our country,
the work for equality must continue.
The next day I was shocked when a
woman called and accused me of being a
racist because I had mentioned racism. She
also was upset that we had not published
more about Obama`s campaign and a pic-
ture of him on election night. I explained to
her we are a small local paper and that we
do not subscribe to the Associated Press,
or any other wire service, and therefore
we cannot publish the photos and articles
she had seen in the News Sentinel. That
explanation seemed somewhat to change
her opinion that our paper was biased and
a McCain supporter.
The topic of this month`s ETSPJ
program: 'Different faces: How the news
media cover race and diversity.
It is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, at
the Cansler YMCA at the corner of Winona
and 5th Ave.
The goal of the program is discussion
about how issues of race and diversity
are covered in the news media. Among
questions that may be covered are:
Are stories covered differently when
they involve minorities?
Are issues of importance in minority
and other diverse groups given appropriate
coverage in the news media?
Are differences in diversity helped or
made worse when they become part of a
news story?
Those confrmed to be on the program
are Saadia Williams, former executive
director of the Race Relations Center of
East Tennessee and now secretary of the
board of directors of the United Way of
Greater Knoxville, and Loida Valesquez,
who works with various community orga-
nizations. Her husband, Luis, is founder of
the local Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
A representative of the Highlander Center
has been invited to participate.
Light refreshments will be served.
Michael Grider, program chairman of
ETSPJ, and Kristi Nelson, also a member
of the board, are working on program
arrangements.
Join ETSPJ for a mini-
conference about environ-
mental journalism Friday,
March 27, in the banquet
hall on the upper foor of
Calhoun`s on the River.
The day-long conference,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will address
many of the difficulties
journalists face when covering the envi-
ronmental beat, such as understanding and
translating legal, technical and scientifc
issues; fnding sources; using different
angles and approaches; dealing with ethi-
cal problems; packaging stories for today`s
media market; and more. The objective is
to prepare present and future journalists to
handle the massive amount of information
related to environmental topics.
The keynote speaker will be Jim Detjen,
director of the Knight Center for Envi-
ronmental Journalism at Michigan State
University, East Lansing. He will discuss
the history of environmental journalism
and what journalists on the 'environ-
mental beat have to look forward to in
the future.
SEE CONFERENCE, PAGE 2
DETJEN
ference, Little Rock, Ark.
ApriI/May TBA-Ethics program in coop-
eration with national SPJ
May 15-Golden Press Card Awards
banquet, The Foundry
June 5-7-Ted Scripps Leadership nsti-
tute, ndianapolis
JuIy 18-Front Page Follies, Knoxville
Convention Center
Aug. 27-29-National SPJ Convention,
100th anniversary observance, ndia-
napolis
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
a Iaugh. 3. Rep. Doug Overbey
of MaryviIIe speaks. 4. From
Ieft, MicheIe NeaI, Randy NeaI,
Greg Johnson, Ray Abbas and
Judith MaIIory.
4 - Spot News
The deadline for the March is-
sue of Spot News is March 2.
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