JUNE, 2005 NEWSLETTER

May 31, 2005 – Hello members and friends of Press Women. I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday weekend and were able to make time for a little bit of rest and relaxation.

We are getting ready to wrap up our luncheon programming before taking a couple months off for the summer and we plan to leave you with something to ponder until we meet again for our fall season.

It's no secret that modern-day journalism has taken a big hit. It seems there has been a rash of stories, columns and pundits highly critical of the business, but there have also been many reasons why. In 2003, former New York Times reporter Jayson Blair was added to a list of reporters for distinguished publications like the Washington Post, the New Republic and the Boston Globe who got caught embellishing, exaggerating and/or fabricating information that somehow found its way past editors and into print. CBS's Dan Rather failed to verify facts in a report about President George W. Bush's military service. Various television news stations have aired what some call propaganda video from The Pentagon. So-called "journalists" masquerading as opinion columnists turned out to be on the federal government's payroll contracted to write flowery pieces about government-sponsored or endorsed programs or political ideas. And most recently, Newsweek magazine retracted a story on desecration of the Koran by the U.S. military at Guantanamo Bay, which is said to have sparked anti-U.S. protests in Afghanistan and other countries leaving at least 14 people dead.

The black eye on modern day journalism has forced those who work in local newspapers, television and radio to reexamine the tenets of reporting.

Albuquerque Press Women welcomes Bob Gassaway, University of New Mexico journalism professor, Phill Casaus, Albuquerque Tribune editor-in-chief, and Belinda Rawlins, Managing Director of New Mexico Media Literacy Project, who will discuss how journalism ethics are being addressed in both professional and educational settings at its next luncheon Monday, June 13, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel. (Note this is a change from our usual location.)

Gassaway is an experienced editor, copy editor and reporter and full professor of journalism at UNM. Casaus, a long-time Albuquerque sports and news reporter, has been Tribune editor since 2003. Rawlins took over the Media Literacy Project directorship this year after much experience in the field in other states.

Luncheons are open to the public. For reservations, please contact Janet Ford by Tuesday, June 7, at 720-7821 or E-Mail. Members and their first-time guests, $15; nonmembers, $21. You may select a vegetarian meal. Your reservation is our commitment to reserve your lunch—and your commitment to pay. You won't want to miss this one so make your reservations early. We expect a full house!

Call for assistance:

Albuquerque Press Women is still looking for a new treasurer. If any current members are interested in joining our board as treasurer, please contact me immediately at 841-6052 or by return email.

Membership

For those of you who are not current with your membership dues, you will be billed the nonmember luncheon rate of $21. Bring your membership up-to-date so you don't lose out on the member discount. The dues information follows:

Full membership: National Federation of Press Women--$51.50 (Student rate available)

New Mexico Press Women--$10

Total of $61.50 is paid to the National Federation of Press Women and is billed in November.

Albuquerque Press Women--$10 for National and State members

Paid separately to the local chapter. Due annually in January. Full membership entitles you to receive mailings from all three levels of the organization, attend the national convention and other national, state and local functions, enter state and national contests, and enjoy all the "perks" of full membership.

Local Membership only

Albuquerque Press Women--$35

Local dues are due in January and are paid directly to the Albuquerque chapter. Local annual dues entitle you to the discounted member price for monthly luncheons for you and for any first-time guest you bring ($15 instead of $21), the frequent E-GRAMs that serve as our newsletter, discounts for products and functions held or sponsored by Albuquerque Press Women.

Local membership does NOT entitle you to membership in either the state or national organization and you will not appear on their mailing lists.

Member kudos

The Albuquerque Arts Alliance named Albuquerque Press Women member Doug Swift and his wife, Jane, Outstanding Arts Volunteer/Philanthropist during the 21st Annual Bravos Awards, held in April. The Swifts were honored for their life-long commitment to the arts. The Swifts have provided countless volunteer hours for the Albuquerque Community Foundation, Albuquerque Arts Alliance, Magnífico, Opera Southwest, Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and the city's Public Arts Program, among others.

Summer Barbecue?

Albuquerque Press Women is contemplating an informal summer get-together and is trying to assess interest. If any of you are interested in a Saturday evening barbecue sometime this summer, please let me know so we can begin planning.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
If ever you have any ideas that might help us to better serve you, let us know. We're always open to suggestions and want to provide the best networking and resources for communications professionals. (Visit our Web site for links to e-mails.)