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Save the Date! Gridiron West Dinner on Nov. 12!

July 8, 2010 By John Hamer Leave a Comment

SAVE THE DATE for the Washington News Council’s 12th annual Gridiron West Dinner — Friday, Nov. 12, 2010, at the Washington State Convention Center. We will “toast” (i.e., roast) five former Mayors of Seattle — Wes Uhlman, Charles Royer, Norm Rice, Paul Schell and Greg Nickels. We’re happy to have David Horsey and his “flying pies” drawing back for our invitations and programs. Mike Egan will emcee again this year, and Jim Anderson/Cabaret Productions will provide music and songs.  Reception starts at 5:30 pm, with dinner and program at 7 pm. This has become a favorite event of the fall season, with video, photographic, musical and personal “toasts” to our honorees. Tables and tickets are available now. Call our office (206.262.9793) for more details.

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WNC Awards Two $2,000 Scholarships

June 25, 2010 By Washington News Council Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council awarded two $2,000 scholarships to students planning careers in communications. The scholarships are named after the late Dick Larsen and Herb Robinson, both longtime editors at The Seattle Times.

WNC President John Hamer, who worked with Larsen and Robinson for many years on The Times’ editorial board, presented the scholarships during a June 24 reception at the WNC office, located above the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle.

The 2010 WNC Dick Larsen Scholarship winner is:

Peter Sessum, 38, a junior at the University of Washington who is studying journalism. He is a staff writer for The Daily. He was formerly a student at Edmonds Community College and editor-in-chief of the Triton Review campus newspaper.

Before that, Peter was a liaison officer with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan and an international advisor in the poppy-eradication program there.

He is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

John Hamer & Pete Sessum

In an essay accompanying his scholarship application, Peter wrote:

“Media is the watchdog of the government, but someone needs to watch the watchdog. That is the purpose of the people. As journalists, we should be transparent, accountable and open. And the people should be able to expect that of us. It is the duty of the reporter to inform the people of the issues at hand. Then, the people can make informed decisions.”

The 2010 Herb Robinson Scholarship winner is:

Alexander Herbig, 18, who is graduating from Mountlake Terrace High School and will attend Seattle Pacific University in the fall. He plans to study communications, global development and psychology.

During high school, Alex was a Young Life leader and camp counselor. His senior project was Simply Haiti, which launched two days before the Haitian earthquake and raised $30,000 for a feeding program and earthquake relief. He also was a photojournalist and editorial writer for The Hawkeye school newspaper, and MVP on the junior varsity soccer team.

Alex Herbig & John Hamer

In an essay accompanying his application, Alex wrote:

“I feel as though trust is a journalist’s best friend. Journalists have the ability to twist a story just about any way they want, making the good guy look like the villain or the other way around. Not only that but their stories can create some serious consequences for the person or company in the story. With this power comes the responsibility of the journalist to be trustworthy.”

Scholarships are funded by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. Since 2000, the WNC has awarded 22 scholarships with a total value of nearly $30,000.

CONTACT: John Hamer, President, WNC – 206.262.9793 (info@wanewscouncil.org)

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WNC Joins Global Press/News Councils Alliance

May 28, 2010 By John Hamer Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council has joined the Alliance of Independent Press Councils of Europe. We’re not in Europe, you say?

True, but neither are several other press councils in AIPCE: Botswana, Israel, Peru, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Zambia, among others. It’s a big tent, this group, and their numbers are growing. (For more details, see What is a Press Council?) [Read more...]

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Spot.Us brings new journalism model to Seattle

April 14, 2010 By Heidi Dietrich 1 Comment

Seattle’s newest media player opens for business today.

Spot.Us, which allows community members to fund civic journalism projects, has expanded to Seattle. Journalist David Cohn started the network in San Francisco in late 2008 and added on a Los Angeles site early this year. He sees Seattle, as a third major west coast city, a natural fit.

“Seattle has a really robust journalism community,” Cohn said.

David Cohn, founder of Spot.Us

David Cohn, founder of Spot.Us

With Spot.Us, readers decide what stories they want to fund. Journalists and news organizations post story proposals with an estimated cost to report and research on the Spot.Us site. Anyone interested in the pitch can pledge a donation. If the pledges reach the necessary amount to fund the story, the money is collected.

“I’m a big believer that the public should be able to participate in journalism,” Cohn said.

So far, two-thirds of stories pitched on Spot.Us have reached their funding goal. [Read more...]

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Filed Under: Announcements, Industry Tagged With: Austin, California, David Cohn, Eric Ruthford, independent reporter, journalism model to Seattle Seattle, journalist, King County, L.A., Los Angeles, media partners, media player, Minneapolis, Oakland Police, San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area’s Bay Bridge, Seattle, Seattle Post-Globe reporter, single reporter and editor, Spot, The New York Times, west coast

The News Council Elects New Officers, Restructures Board, Wins Gates Grant

February 2, 2010 By John Hamer Leave a Comment

WNC Elects New Officers, Restructures Board, Wins Gates Grant

The Washington News Council (www.wanewscouncil.org) has elected five new officers to serve on its Board of Directors for 2010:

Chair: Suzie Burke, President of Fremont Dock Company

President: John Hamer, former Executive Director of WNC

Vice President: Martin Neeb, KPLU General Manager Emeritus

Treasurer: Olivia Lippens, President of Clear Channel Outdoor

Secretary: Shannon Frew, Communications Director, Commercial Aviation Services, Commercial Airplanes, The Boeing Company

These officers will constitute an Executive Committee of the WNC’s Board of Directors and oversee strategy, development and governance.

In addition, a WNC Hearings Council, made up of current Board Members and Board Members Emeritus, will review complaints and convene when complaint hearings become necessary.

Hearings Council Chair: Karen Seinfeld, Former Presiding Chief Judge, Washington State Court of Appeals (re-elected to current position)

All members of the Board of Directors and the Hearings Council are eligible to serve on committees, including Complaints, Development, Education, Nominating, Publicity or any other ad hoc committees.

The WNC recently was awarded a $100,000 challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, after matching it with $100,000 in donations from other donors. (See below for details.)

The WNC is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible.

CONTACT: John Hamer, jhamer@wanewscouncil.org , 206.262.9793

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Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Clear Channel Outdoor, Commercial Aviation, Executive Committee, Fremont Dock Company, General Manager Emeritus, Hearings Council, Karen Seinfeld, KPLU, Martin Neeb, Olivia Lippens, Presiding Chief Judge, Restructures Board, Secretary, Shannon Frew, Suzie Burke, Treasurer, Washington State Court of Appeals, WNC Hearings Council

WNC Raises $100,000 to Meet Challenge Grant Target for 2010!

January 20, 2010 By John Hamer Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council successfully raised $100,000 in matching donations, pledges and in-kind contributions by Jan. 15, triggering payment of a $100,000 challenge grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The WNC would like to thank all those who donated or pledged to help us meet this extraordinary challenge:

$10,000 or more: Dollar Development Company, Kemper Development Company, Charles Simonyi Fund, Clear Channel Outdoor (in-kind billboard space), Everything Under the Web (in-kind website redesign).

$5,000 or more: Microsoft, PEMCO, Premera, Doug & Janet True

$2,500 or more: Suzie Burke, Pedro Celis, Lynden Inc., Vic & Mary Odermat

$1,000 or more: Steve Boyer, Bill Bryant, Ken & Cathi Hatch, Austin Hamer, Tom Hayward, Bob & Pat Herbold, Peter Horvitz, Geoff & Teresa Hunt, Barbara Kenney, Deanie Larsen, Martin Neeb Family Foundation, Bill & Jill Ruckelshaus, Phil Smart Sr., Washington Dairy Products Commission, Michael Young

$500 or more: Everett Billingslea, John Blackman, Bob Donegan (in-kind dinner event), Kirby Lindsay, Helen Silha

$100 or more: Creigh Agnew, Karen Dunn, Reagan Dunn, Becky Cox, Denny Fleenor, Mike Flynn, Walter Liang, Chuck Rehberg, David Schaefer
$50 or more: Gene Anest, Oren Campbell, Megan Gilshire, Pete Rollins, Steve Shapiro, Dann Mead Smith

If the WNC raises an additional $100,000 in donations and pledges this year, and meets the terms of the grant agreement, the Gates Foundation will award another $100,000 matching grant in 2011.

The WNC is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to promote fairness, accuracy, balance, accountability and ethics in the news media. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Donate online at www.wanewscouncil.org, call 206-262-9793 to donate or pledge, or mail checks to WNC, P.O. Box 3672, Seattle WA 98124-3672.

CONTACT: John Hamer, WNC Executive Director, 2026.262.9793

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Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: Austin Hamer, Barbara Kenney, Becky Cox, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Bryant, Bob Donegan, Cathi Hatch, Charles Simonyi Fund, Chuck Rehberg, Clear Channel, David Schaefer, Deanie Larsen, Denny Fleenor, Dollar Development Company, Everett Billingslea, Gates Foundation, Gene Anest, Helen Silha, Janet True, Jill Ruckelshaus, John Blackman, Karen Dunn, Kemper Development Company, Kirby Lindsay, Lynden Inc., Martin Neeb, Martin Neeb Family Foundation, Mary Odermat, Mead Smith, Megan Gilshire, Michael Young, Microsoft, Mike Flynn, news media, Oren Campbell, Pat Herbold, Pedro Celis, Pete Rollins, Peter Horvitz, Phil Smart Sr., Reagan Dunn, Steve Boyer, Steve Shapiro, Suzie Burke, Teresa Hunt, Tom Hayward, Walter Liang, Washington Dairy, Washington Dairy Products Commission

WNC awards two $2,000 scholarships

October 6, 2009 By John Hamer Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council has awarded two $2,000 scholarships to Washington state students planning careers in communications. The scholarships are named after Dick Larsen and Herb Robinson, both former editors at The Seattle Times.

The 2009 WNC Dick Larsen Scholarship winner is:

CHANTAL ANDERSON (left), 20, a senior at the University of Washington who is majoring in journalism and international studies with a minor in Spanish. Chantal was a reporter intern for The Seattle Times in Olympia during the 2009 Legislature. She also is on the staff of The U.W. Daily, and has been a reporter intern for Real Change, a nonprofit weekly newspaper. She is secretary of the U.W. chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and also runs a wedding photography business. In an essay accompanying her scholarship application, Chantal wrote:

“The convergence of print and online journalism has redefined the way reporters and readers interpret and define ethics today. The new mantra of newsrooms to churn out stories at high speeds, mixed with emerging professional and personal blogs, has created an upsurge of content on the net. These new forms of media have blurred ethical ideas…. I believe honoring ethical standards has become more challenging for professional journalists in the digital age.”

The 2009 Herb Robinson Scholarship winner is:

SARAH REYES (right), 18, who just graduated from Rogers High School in Spokane and will enter Washington State University in the fall. She plans to study at the Edward R. Murrow College of Journalism. Sarah maintained a 4.0 GPA through high school while taking AP courses in English and history. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a valedictorian. She was also a writer and copy editor for The VOX, a student newspaper published by The Spokesman-Review in Spokane, and worked as an intern at The Spokesman. In an essay accompanying her application, Sarah wrote:

“In today’s world of media and technology, it seems that anyone can get away with saying anything….The First Amendment is something that we as Americans should truly cherish. There are journalists killed around the world for talking about topics that come as second nature to journalists in the United States. We need to use it to our advantage and make sure that it is not abused because nothing is certain and this is a right that might not be around forever.”

Scholarships are funded by donations from individuals, foundations and corporations. Since 2000, the WNC has awarded 20 scholarships with a total value of $25,000.

CONTACT: John Hamer, Executive Director, 206.262.9793 (info@wanewscouncil.org)

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WNC Helps Form New Southern California and New England News Councils, with Knight Foundation national grant

July 3, 2007 By Washington News Council Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council (www.wanewscouncil.org) and the Minnesota News Council (www.news-council.org) announced on June 30, 2006, that Southern California and New England were the winners in a national contest to create two new local news councils.

The Southern California News Council and the New England News Council now become the fourth and fifth such councils in the United States, joining those in Minnesota, Washington and Hawaii. Dozens of other such councils exist in nations around the world.

News councils are independent, nonprofit organizations that promote trusted journalism by investigating accuracy and fairness complaints against news outlets. They help determine the facts involved in these disputes, and provide open forums where citizens and journalists can discuss media ethics, standards and performance.

The new news councils each receive a $75,000 start-up grant, given by Washington and Minnesota from funds provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Miami, Fla. The WNC and MNC received a joint grant last year from Knight to design the national contest, advertise it nationwide, review applications and select two winners.

“News councils are an idea whose time has come – again,” said Stephen Silha, president of the Washington News Council board. “Every state deserves a news council.”

The Southern California News Council will temporarily reside at the Journalism Department at California State University, Long Beach, with the goal of forming an independent nonprofit 501c3 organization. It will cover the state from Santa Barbara south. It will be headed by Bill Babcock, chairman of the Journalsim Department at Cal State Long Beach. The Washington News Council’s Executive Director, John Hamer, presented the grant to Babcock at a gathering on the campus on June 30.

The New England News Council will reside in the Journalism Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and cover the six New England states. It will be led by Bill Densmore, a journalism professor there who also directs the Media Giraffe Project. The Minnesota News Council’s Executive Director, Gary Gilson, presented the grant to Densmore Amherst during the “Media and Democracy” conference on the campus June 30. Washington News Council President Stephen Silha was also there, leading a “Journalism That Matters” national seminar.

Organizing committees for the two new councils include journalists, academics and members of the public. Both councils will invite the participation of a broad and diverse range of citizens who care deeply about the vital role of news media in a democracy.

An informal advisory board for the project included national journalism leaders Merrill Brown, Fabrice Florin, Dan Gillmor, Loren Ghiglione, Cyrus Krohn, Phil Meyer, Bill Moyers, Jay Rosen, and Jan Schaefer.

The birth of these news councils coincides with a growing trend toward openness and accountability in the news media driven by the new era of two-way communications marked by the emergence of the Internet.

“A news council or any inquiry that seeks out the real facts behind media complaints is better than a blogger working from opinion alone, and vastly superior to the talking heads on cable TV with their pre-fixed political menus,” said Eric Newton, director of journalism initiatives at the Knight Foundation.

“If the news media want to restore their eroding credibility with the public, they should embrace the news council concept,” said John Finnegan Sr., chairman of the Minnesota News Council board.

In Washington and Minnesota, the news councils comprise two dozen or so members from the public and the news media, who represent only themselves, not their employers. They listen to unresolved complaints and media responses at a public hearing, investigate the facts behind the complaints, and then offer their view as to whether or not the complaint is valid. Complainants must waive the right to sue to qualify for a hearing.

In Washington, only two complaints have been upheld since the council was formed in 1998, while others were dismissed as unwarranted or were resolved with the council’s help. In Minnesota, half the complaints have been upheld and half denied since the news council started in 1970.

Participation by news outlets is entirely voluntary.

Both the California and New England councils plan to engage the public and the media on the Internet, through interactive forums on journalistic standards and ethics. The Washington and Minnesota councils regularly conduct public forums that stress civil discourse, not media-bashing. The results often improve media quality and increase public trust. The existing councils also work with college and high-school journalism students, conduct mock news council hearings, and award scholarships. The Washington News Council sponsors an annual Gridiron West Dinner, always held in November.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence worldwide and invests in the communities where the Knight Brothers owned newspapers. Since its creation in 1950, the Knight Foundation has invested more than $275 million to advance journalism quality and freedom of expression. For more, visit www.knightfdn.org/annual.

CONTACTS:

John Hamer, Executive Director, WNC, jhamer@wanewscouncil.org (206.262.9793)

Bill Babcock, Cal State Long Beach, wbabcock@csulb.edu (562.985.4981)

Gary Gilson, Executive Director, MNC, gary@news-council.org (612.341.9357)

Bill Densmore, UMass Amherst, densmore@journ.umass.edu (413.458.8001)

Eric Newton, Director of Journalism Initiatives, enewton@knightfdn.org (305.908.2600)

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Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: Bill Babcock, Bill Densmore, Bill Moyers, Cal State Long Beach, California State University, Cyrus Krohn, Dan Gillmor, Eric Newton, Gary Gilson, Jan Schaefer, Jay Rosen, John Finnegan Sr., Knight Foundation, Long Beach, Merrill Brown, Minnesota News Council, New England News Council, Phil Meyer, Santa Barbara, Southern California News Council, Stephen Silha, University of Massachusetts

“100 Friends of the WNC” — Distinguished Group Growing Fast!

August 20, 2006 By Washington News Council Leave a Comment

The Washington News Council has formed “100 Friends of the WNC.“ Members pledge to donate $1,000 a year for three consecutive years to help support the News Council’smission. Friends also receive two tickets to our annual Gridiron West Dinners.

Members so far include: Nancy Alvord, Minoru & Yoko Arakawa, Tom Barwick, Richard & Edwina Baxter, James Bianco, Steve Boyer, Herb & Shirley Bridge, Suzie Burke, Doris Cassan, Pedro & Laura Celis, Tom Cock Jr., Jane & David Davis, Tom Downey, Jennifer Dunn, Jim Ellis, Bill Gates Sr., Margo & Andy Gordon, Martha Kongsgaard & Peter Goldman, Austin & Ina Hamer, Ken & Cathi Hatch, Tom & Peggy Hayward, Richard & Elizabeth Hedreen, Bob & Pat Herbold, Sandeep Kaushik & Elizabeth Goodwin, Betsy Lieberman & Richard Groomer, Grant & Marci Larsen, Bruce & Jolene McCaw, Chuck & Tracy Nordhoff, Chuck & Cathy Novak, Mary Odermat, Vic Odermat, Mary Pigott, Joe & Jaynie Putnam, Harry & Ann Pryde, Skip Rowley, Bill & Jill Ruckelshaus, Sandy Schoolfield & Jon Kechejian, Karen Seinfeld, Helen Silha, Stephen Silha, Gary Smith, John Stanton & Theresa Gillespie, Sid Snyder, Craig & Joan Watjen.

If you’d like to join this distinguished group, please call our office at 206.262.9793 or go to the “Click & Pledge” box at the top of this page.

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Filed Under: Announcements Tagged With: Andy Gordon, Ann Pryde, Betsy Lieberman, Cathi Hatch, David Davis, Doris Cassan, Edwina Baxter, Elizabeth Hedreen, Gary Smith, Helen Silha, Ina Hamer, James Bianco, Jennifer Dunn, Jill Ruckelshaus, Jim Ellis, Joan Watjen, John Stanton, Jolene McCaw, Jon Kechejian, Karen Seinfeld, Laura Celis, Marci Larsen, Martha Kongsgaard, Mary Odermat, Mary Pigott, Nancy Alvord, Pat Herbold, Peggy Hayward, Peter Goldman, Richard Groomer, Sandeep Kaushik, Shirley Bridge, Sid Snyder, Steve Boyer, Suzie Burke, Theresa Gillespie, Tom Barwick, Tom Cock Jr., Tom Downey, Tracy Nordhoff, Vic Odermat, Yoko Arakawa

New Media and Public Members Join WNC Board of Directors

July 30, 2006 By Washington News Council Leave a Comment

Three new members were voted onto the WNC Board of Directors at our Annual Board Retreat on July 29, held at Central Washington University in Ellensburg. They are:

Margo Gordon, Public Member, who is returning to the Board after serving from 1998-2004. Margo is former Dean of the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. She stepped down as dean but continues to teach as a professor at the school. She also has taught journalism at Northwestern University’s Medill School.

Jonathan Lawson, Media Member, who is Executive Director of Reclaim the Media and Public Affairs Specialist at the Washington Federation of State Employees/AFSCME. He is also host/producer of a weekly jazz program on KBCS-FM. He is a graduate of Guilford College and Harvard Divinity School.

Martin J. Neeb, Media Member, who is General Manager of KPLU-FM in Tacoma, a position he has held since 1981. He recently announced his retirement, effective in December 2006. He is a founding member of the City Club of Tacoma and has been an officer of West Coast Public Radio and the Arthritis Foundation.

The following two members joined the WNC Board earlier in 2006:

Mike Flynn, Media Member, who recently retired as President and Publisher of the Puget Sound Business Journal. He is also on the boards of Junior Achievement of Greater Puget Sound, Downtown Seattle Association, Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Bellevue Chamber of Commerce, and the Harbor Club.

Dr. Eddie Reed, Public Member, who just received his Ph.D. in Education from the University of Washington. He was a WNC board member from 1998 to 2004 and served as President of the organization for three years. Dr. Reed is now Instruction Coach and Professional Development Director for the Tukwila School District.

The Board Retreat was a day-long meeting that included welcoming remarks by CWU President Jerilyn McIntyre, and luncheon remarks by Ken Robertson, Editor of the Tri-City Herald. The Council voted to accept the complaint from the King County Sheriff’s Office against the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. It heard reports from several task groups and committees. And it watched a videotape of the Minnesota News Council’s hearing in the case of Northwest Airlines vs. WCCO-TV, plus a Mike Wallace “60 Minutes” segment on that case, in which Wallace endorses news councils.

The following officers were re-elected for one-year terms:

President – Stephen Silha (Media Member)

Vice President- Steve Boyer (Public Member)

Vice President – Dave Schaefer (Media Member)

Treasurer – Sandy Schoolfield (Public Member)

Secretary – Suzie Burke (Public Member)

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