SUMMER 2009 EDITION

MISSOURI URBAN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

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Journalism hopefuls descend on MU

Ben Dillion/STAFF

Russ Mitchell, right, news anchor of The Early Show on CBS, speaks with students of the Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop during a tour of KOMU-TV on July 17. Mitchell, an alumnus of the workshop, coached students on broadcast and convergence journalism practices.


By ELIZABETH MALUTA
Neuqua Valley High School

COLUMBIA — For 10 days in July, journalist hopefuls from across the United States come together for the Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop, which MU hosted. The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund sponsors the program.

This year, 16 high school students from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Texas worked together to produce the Urban Pioneer. The students learned the rigors of the journalism world by conducting interviews and research, developing stories and meeting deadlines for online production.

The first workshop was at American University in Washington, D.C., in 1968. It began as a way to promote careers in journalism for African-Americans but has since expanded to include all ethnicities in 18 states. At one time, there were 30 summer workshops, but because of economic strains, only 25 were able to enroll students this summer.

Two workshops in New Jersey and Florida were canceled because they did not have the financial support. Other schools could not provide housing for the workshop or were forced to reduce the number of workshop days. Although the economy has forced some cutbacks, Linda Shockley, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund's deputy director, said she remains optimistic.

“This is a very valuable part in preparation of young journalists,” she said. “The workshops offer exposure to life on campus, a career in journalism and interaction with professional journalists. I hope the media corporations and universities will find the resources to continue to provide these opportunities.”

The program begins with students from across the country submitting entries for evaluation. Only a few are chosen to participate in the 10 days of intense reporting, writing and editing. Not only are students subject to the print and photo aspects of journalism, but also they have the ability to create visual news stories with aid from Columbia’s KOMU/Channel 8 journalists. The workshop provides students with real newsroom experience.

Many current journalists have participated in the workshop. CBS News correspondent and anchor Russ Mitchell was a Missouri workshop participant in 1977 and continues to make an appearance every year. He said he credits the workshop with giving him an understanding of how the journalism business works.

“The two weeks there were magical,” he said. “I left there with the fire in the belly to become a journalist.”

Although the workshop was inspirational, Mitchell said he knew he had to work harder than ever to become successful.

“It was an intense two weeks,” he said. “The thing I took away was an appreciation of how committed one has to be in this industry.”

Because of the struggling economy, the Missouri workshop was forced to reduce the number of students enrolled, from about 20 students to 16. Workshop Director Anna Romero, a professor of broadcast journalism at MU, decided this year not to buy T-shirts so there would be enough money for an additional student to attend.

In another cost-saving move, the Urban Pioneer will be available only online for the first time.

Workshop Administrative Assistant Doris Barnhart said money was a key concern this summer.

“We are being cautious with money we are getting from our sponsors,” she said. “Every penny.”

The economy also had an impact on the number of workshop sponsors who help fund the program's expenses.

Some sponsors were unable to send representatives; others, such as The Kansas City Star and the Missouri Broadcasters Association, were forced to pull their sponsorship.

The Missouri Urban Journalism Workshop has continued for 39 years, and though it faced some obstacles this year, organizers said they plan for the workshop to continue.




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