| SPJ Offers Chance to Meet with Writers By HEATHER NUNEZ Within the walls of North Brunswick's Barnes & Noble, a small group of New Jersey reporters stood before a group of patrons, some aspiring writers and journalists for a special Meet The Press panel discussion. Sponsored by the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists Chapter, the discussion event is the first of its kind. The company included The Star-Ledger's Mark Di Ionno, The Home News Tribune's Charles Paolino, NJBIZ deputy editor Dan Goldblatt, freelance correspondent and writer Diana Lasseter of Drake Ink, WCTC afternoon program host Bernard Spigner, and freelance writer Arlene Zatz. Before the floor was opened for questions, mediator and New Jersey SPJ Chapter member Patty Murray introduced the assembly more in depth. She began with the Star Ledger's Di Ionno, whose responsibilities were to supervise and develop the publication's "local tear of coverage." Charles Paolino is the managing editor for Gannett's The Home News Tribune as well as a theatre critic for the Middlesex County news source and an instructor Rutgers University. Dan Goblatt, deputy editor of NJBIZ, started out as a writer for health issues, a subject which he had immense knowledge on since his occupation before becoming a registered nurse. Eventually branching to NJBIZ, he supervises and writes for the work that carries profiles of businesses, and stories on trends such as auto insurance. Diana was a researcher for NJBIZ before he launched Drake Ink. She still works for many publications writing stories, especially on business issues but still believe she needed to branch out and move away from that arena and "work around the public." Arlene carries a Bachelor's Degree from Rutgers University and has written for a "long list" of publications such as The New York Times, The New York Post and The Asbury Park Press. She also holds the byline of two books on New Jersey. Her advice to aspiring journalists is to "write about anything and work on obtaining the right tools" such as great research skills. Bernard Spigner is the noon host for WCTC Radio. Recently, he was the moderator for a NJ FOG Conference. Although Spigner openly loves his job, he warns that there is "no direct line to a profession," especially not journalism. Personally he at first was "too chicken" and became a truck driver. Soon, he asked himself what he wants to do and finally entered broadcasting. When speaking about what he covers in his show he replied that he covers everything "around the corner, around the country and around the globe." The floor was then opened to the public. The first question came from a Rutgers Communication major who asked the panel for advice on achieving a place in the journalism world. Responses included tips such as doing what you have a desire for as well as resources such as the book "Writers Market" which holds addresses aspiring writers can send queries to and the publication Writer's Magazine. The next question was how a resident could get information on a municipality. Di! Ionno, whose job is to cover 200 municipalities suggested "stirring something up" in chat rooms and forums and "talking to people" who live in the concentrated area. Moderator Patty Murray suggested attending local meetings whose dates has to be announced 48 hours in advance according to the enacted Sunshine Law. Goldblatt suggested researching the local web sites or historians for certain information. For demographics, Goldblatt also suggested real estate directories. The following question came from a person who is working to get public relations for non-profit information and was looking for assistance. The response was not to send media kits to anyone in the media, but to the right person in the media. As Di Ionno said, "Target the reporter" whose responsibility is to handle that certain subject or objective so the information receives the attention it needs. Things occur "from the bottom up, not just the top down." Patty Murray added the advice with the tip that there is such a thing as too much information. "Just enough to get them interested," she said. However, despite the idea these responses hold Charles said that the objective is "very individual" and situates on a "newspaper by newspaper basis." Bernard Spigner added that action does not definitely take place after a phone conversation and that having it "put down" on paper has a better chance. Afterward, the subject then returned to advice for aspiring journalists. Advice such as building momentum through a "track record" of experience was also given. "No one is going to hire you without experience," one panel member said, "You have to fill space." The panel was soon dismissed with thanks to the panel on behalf of the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists and the audience. |
