Today we closed things up at the Southeast Journalism Conference. And I’m beginning to think this should really be a three-day affair.
After breakfast at our new favorite diner we returned to the panel sessions. I attended one called The Courthouse Beat: Trials (literally), Tribulations and Records. Some things I wrote in that room:
I'd write about this courthouse panel of #SEJC2014, which is very interesting, but the Hilton has no WiFi in this conference room. Nice. #fb
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
Twice at #SEJC2014 I have heard complaints of media distorting stories. This is a journalism conference. #fb
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
One of those complaints was by a reporter, which was humorous. #SEJC2014
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
Just learned the Louisiana AG has opined that agencies in that state can vote by SMS, without access/records. What could go wrong?!? #fb
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
I also listened to another panel, Sports Journalism in the Age of Scandal Salon. I wrote some things about that one, too. Among them:
On covering scandal, @RabalaisAdv says you sometimes have to divorce yourself from your emotions, not unlike acting.
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
Remember your obligation to the public interest, says AP's @brettmartel. Often, he says, scandal stories are, like people, complex.
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
On avoiding the wink wink we're the home team, rah rah mentality: @RabalaisAdv says you can't be a fan.
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
And then @brettmartel suggests to student-journalists reinforce that you're training to be a journalist, which requires objectivity.
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
"Concentrate on self-improvement. Concentrate on self-improvement. You'll be amazed … " says @WGNOsports
— kenny smith (@kennysmith) February 22, 2014
It was a fine panel, and there is a whole lot more on Twitter.
More awards were handed out during the seafood fettuccini luncheon. All of those onsite contest award winners were announced. Clayton Hurdle, a Samford senior and the sports editor of The Samford Crimson won for a story he wrote Thursday night. He won this same contest last year:
We passed this little town on the way home. I just liked the name, bro:
But I understand the food is something serious, there.
We also stopped in our favorite Mississippi town for a few pictures. And by pictures, I mean shots of the sign. we didn’t see whatever passes for the town:
And we decided Google Maps lied. The map said we could make the trip in just over six hours. Try just over eight. I got home around midnight.
