Journalism Primer: A guide to community news coverage for beginning and veteran journalists in the age of new media

by Jim Pumarlo

Overview

Community news is delivered in an assortment of venues by individuals with varying backgrounds and skills. One premise is constant if news providers are to connect with their readers: Stories must be timely, relevant and substantive.
 
Journalism Primer is your toolbox to practical and effective community journalism. For the rookies, this book offers the ABCs to covering the gamut of headlines from proclamations to business news to local public affairs. For the veterans, use this book to test and tweak some of the things you’ve been doing all along. And for everyone, if you can take away one or two fresh ideas for coverage, your news product – and, most important, your readers and community – will benefit.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940013348493
Publisher:	Romeii, LLC
Publication date:	09/28/2011
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	60
File size:	306 KB

About the Author

Jim Pumarlo spent 27 years working at small daily newspapers in International Falls and Red Wing, Minn. He served as editor of the Red Wing Republican Eagle for 21 years. He resigned in December 2003 and currently is director of communications at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, the state’s largest business advocacy organization. He can be contacted at www.pumarlo.com.
He released a book in January 2005, “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in a Small-Town Newspaper,” which was published by Marion Street Press. His second book, Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Campaign Coverage,” was released in May 2007.
He remains active in the newspaper industry through his consulting, speaking and custom training. He is involved in the Minnesota Newspaper Association as a member of its Journalism Education and Legislative committees. He is past president of the Minnesota Newspaper Foundation Board of Directors and a current member of the Minnesota News Media Institute. He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists Ethics Committee. He also is past chairman of the Premack Board which oversees the Frank Premack Public Affairs Journalism Award competition, one of Minnesota’s most coveted and celebrated journalism honors in public affairs reporting. He served on the hearing panel for the Minnesota News Council, which promoted fair, vigorous and trusted journalism by engaging the news media and the public in examining standards of fairness.
In 2005, he was given the Al McIntosh Distinguished Service to Journalism Award by the Minnesota Newspaper Association. In 2007, he was recognized as a “Friend of Minnesota Newspapers,” an award given by the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
He was responsible for daily editorials at Red Wing and also wrote a weekly column, often responding to questions posed by readers. His column was recognized in the Minnesota Newspaper Association’s annual Better Newspaper Contest as a consistent winner in the category for “best explanation of news operations or ethics.” He received the Minnesota News Council’s first “Accountability Award” in 2000. He also received the MNA President’s Citation for commitment to the highest standards of the profession in 1996, and he received an award of merit from the Society of Professional Journalists, Minnesota chapter, for distinguished s