Prospective Journalist of the Year applicants are invited to attend a series of Zoom-ins aimed at helping them sharpen their applications and portfolios.
The first Zoom-in — scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST Tuesday, Dec. 15 — will focus on the new diversity component of the scholarship competition.
The Zoom-ins will be moderated by Journalist of the Year Coordinator Joe Humphrey, MJE, and feature guests discussing best practices for the Journalist of the Year process.
Future Zoom-ins, with topics to be determined, are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST Jan. 5, Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26.
Students and advisers are welcome to attend.
The Journalist of the Year scholarship competition begins at the state level, with winning portfolios advancing to JEA, which will name one $3,000 scholarship winner and three runners-up, who each will receive $850 scholarships.
Commitment to diversity was added as its own category during a Journalist of the Year evaluation revamp this year. Applicants are asked to demonstrate diversity awareness through coverage, staff policies and more.
“We want to make sure our very best journalists are leading the way in providing diverse coverage of their communities, recruiting diverse staffs and amplifying voices that have traditionally been underserved,” Humphrey said.
Lindsay Porter