PROJECT WATCHDOG

Nerissa Young Project Watchdog Chair Society of Professional Journalists 2004

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Project Watchdog: The mission This Manual is a resource to help carry out projects and programs for Project Watchdog, the Society of Professional Journalists’ effort to engage the public in a dialogue about the role of free and ethical news media in a democracy that guarantees freedom of the press. Please use any of the materials or ideas presented here to accomplish the Project Watchdog mission in a way that is best suited for your area, your audience and your objectives. Keep in mind the overall mission — to engage the public in discussion of First Amendment values, explaining why press freedom is important to all Americans. Please submit your own ideas and experiences — from a personal episode to a chapter program — that will help SPJ expand and refine Project Watchdog and help other chapters and SPJ leaders accomplish its mission. If you need additional assistance, contact: Nerissa Young, Project Watchdog chairwoman Columnist, The Register-Herald 510 Greenville Road Forest Hill, WV 24935 Home: 304/ 466-3156 e-mail: [email protected] Society of Professional Journalists Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center 3909 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 Phone: 317/ 927-8000 Fax: 317/ 920-4789 e-mail: [email protected]

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Project Watchdog: What and why Used car salespeople. Journalists. TV evangelists.

The only occupation guaranteed constitutional protection regularly ranks near the bottom in surveys measuring credibility. Journalists often fail to explain themselves to the audiences for which they exist to inform. Just 16 percent of Americans could name freedom of the press as one of the freedoms guaranteed under the First Amendment, according to the 2003 State of the First Amendment Survey sponsored by the First Amendment Center and American Journalism Review. Forty-six percent of respondents said they believe the American press has too much freedom. The good news is 70 percent of respondents agree newspapers should be allowed to publish freely without government approval of a story. Therein lie the reasons for Project Watchdog, an effort by the Society of Professional Journalists to engage the public in a dialogue and explain the role of a free and ethical press in a democratic society. Project Watchdog is a national effort that depends largely on local action by SPJ members and chapters. When the project began in 1987, to coincide with the bicentennial of the Constitution, SPJ raised more than $1 million from media companies to underwrite a public-service ad campaign, through the Advertising Council, to address free-press issues and promote discussion and thought. The ad campaign ended in 1991, coinciding with the bicentennial of the Bill of Rights. Former SPJ President G. Kelly Hawes resurrected Project Watchdog during his 1995-96 term because public opinion of journalists was so low. While another national campaign was discussed, ultimately SPJ leaders decided that the best place to raise awareness of what journalists do and why is within individual communities. Today, there is more extraneous barking than ever, and the public probably finds it difficult to discern among traditional watchdogs, entertainment-oriented coyotes howling at the moon, or infotainment hybrids. Also, the explosion of talk radio, cyberspace and “new media” have blurred traditional definitions of journalism and rendered obsolete the slogan of the first Project Watchdog ads: “If the press didn’t tell us, who would?” We must listen to our readers, viewers and listeners and take their complaints seriously, while looking for opportunities to explain ourselves. That’s why Project Watchdog needs your help.

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Project Watchdog: How does it work?

A Project Watchdog program is one that brings the public and journalists together to discuss issues relating to the role of the news media in American society. Our fundamental message to the public is that a free and unfettered press protects the public’s interests but ensures the free flow of information that is essential to the democratic process. The First Amendment exists for everyone. Because Project Watchdog is a continuing effort of SPJ, every chapter should establish a Project Watchdog Committee to oversee the local effort. In some cases, all you may need is one person to serve as a coordinator, but some person or group should be put in charge because Project Watchdog can touch on many subject areas and a chapter needs to bring context and continuity to its efforts. The committee should include people with experience in coordinating programs and events and sound knowledge of First Amendment and ethics issues. It also may be helpful to include members who can make effective appearances on TV and radio. A good way to build an audience is to find a co-sponsor, such as a civic club, academic organization or public-interest group to help promote the event and share expenses. However, the chapter should retain control of the program and the format. Non-media organizations and businesses should not be asked for financial assistance. If you have questions on this point, call SPJ headquarters or the Project Watchdog chair. Any time the public is invited and given a chance to ask questions, some in the audience will be reluctant to speak or time will run out, so it's helpful to distribute cards for people to write down their questions or observations. Cards printed (or even handwritten) with the chapter’s address can be used to solicit observations after the event and recruit new SPJ members, and the most pertinent of those observations can be included in the chapter’s report to the national Project Watchdog Committee.

Some formats for Project Watchdog programs include: Community forums allow average residents to express their concerns about press issues to journalists who may be a familiar byline but may also seem unapproachable. For journalists, community forums are valuable opportunities to get perspective and information on issues, and to explain what they do and why they do it. To make a forum work, you must attract an audience. This can be easy if there is already a public debate about a news outlet's performance, such as a newspaper's decision to run a highly controversial picture or a TV station's perceived insensitivity in covering a local tragedy. Either example calls for a Project Watchdog program about an individual’s right to privacy versus the public’s right to information. PROJECT WATCHDOG

If there is no burning issue, you can still attract an audience by assembling a panel of prominent 4 local journalists such as TV anchors and reporters, newspaper columnists or even talk-radio hosts (Just because some journalists don’t count them as colleagues is no reason not to invite them if they have something to contribute.). Such a program can be built around “case studies” to explore hypothetical and controversial situations. Examples are included in the program ideas section. In a reverse press conference, which some chapters have titled “Beat the Press,” the questions come from local leaders, legislators or the public, and the answers come from heads of major news organizations, editorial writers, editors, reporters and photographers. This can improve relations with the questioners while helping them understand the problems that journalists face. Politicians and business executives seem to relish the opportunity, and the public enjoys the confrontation. Journalists learn more about what it’s like on the other side, and the questioners may find out that trying to get answers isn’t always an easy job. Such events often lend themselves to co-sponsorship by professional and business organizations such as the local bar or medical association or chamber of commerce. Not only can you invite and involve its membership, and get a more interested and active audience, the co-sponsor can help share expenses and perhaps underwrite advertising to get a larger crowd. Speakers bureaus are used by many chapters to mount a long-term program with little overhead and far-reaching impact. Develop a list of media people who are willing to speak to civic clubs and other organizations, and give a committee coordinator the responsibility of getting the list to those who schedule the groups’ programs. Look for speakers outside your chapter membership, too; Watchdog is a good way to recruit non-SPJ media leaders. Speakers bureaus can provide not only individual speakers, but panels. One chapter successfully uses three-person teams, with at least one broadcast and one print journalist. Contests: Work with a publication in your community to sponsor an editorial or cartoon contest about a specific First Amendment issue. For example, a contest for students could deal with censorship of student publications, or a photography contest with entries displayed at a local library could have a First Amendment theme. School programs can affect the way our future leaders view the news media and the First Amendment. Contact the schools in your area. Explain that you have developed a presentation for students and ask if they would be interested in scheduling a program. You can schedule a panel discussion or a single speaker for a single class, a group of classes or a school assembly. In any event, develop the program according to the format and the age group. Use visual aids and participatory exercises. Encourage teachers to follow up with class discussions of First Amendment issues. Editorials: Submit one or more guest editorials (see sample) to the local media. These can be used to help promote an upcoming Watchdog program.

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5 Talk shows used to be an easy Watchdog program, but many shows have audiences that have developed a strong dislike or skepticism about the mainstream media. Those are some of the people we need most to reach, but be prepared for many whose minds are made up and are ready to vent their spleens. Stop and think before scheduling such an appearance. Is it a fair forum? If the host badgers guests and tries to stir callers’ emotions, it might be better to look instead for a show that generates more light than heat. Also, be aware that individuals may be guests on such shows to represent journalism as a whole, but are often asked questions about their personal performance or that of their employer. If you want to avoid that, or other pitfalls, reach an understanding with the host before scheduling the appearance. Also, panel discussions with journalists from more than one news outlet are probably better because that makes it less likely that one outlet’s performance will dominate the discussion. Sometimes it can help to have a less involved intermediary, such as an academic or public relations professional who is an SPJ member or has experience in journalism.

Tips to plan Watchdog programs include: • Take advantage of Freedom of Information Day, which usually is March 16, James Madison’s birthday, as a peg for an event. • Enlist the support of local media leaders. They can help raise money to cover special expenses, sign on as speakers or panelists, or serve on the chapter’s Watchdog committee. It’s often easier to recruit busy managers if they know they will be performing a specific task. • If your chapter membership includes public-relations professionals who remained in SPJ after leaving journalism, use them to strategize, organize, promote and analyze. That’s what they do for a living, and they often have more time and resources (graphic and design talent, clerical help, etc.) than other members. • Take advantage of hot local or national issues that can translate into lively First Amendment discussions. • Find a co-sponsor to help with space, logistics and publicity. Libraries, colleges and civic groups are among the possibilities. • Put some effort into publicity, or your public participation will be scant or non-existent. Ask local media to run ads as a public service. • Involve local opinion leaders by putting them on panels or getting them to attend. Take a hint from Ted Koppel’s town-meeting approach: Tell several civic groups about the program and ask each to add its input by sending five people.

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Project Watchdog: Sample editorial

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To be run shortly before March 16, Freedom of Information Day Adapted from an original by the SPJ Maryland Professional Chapter Most Americans probably remember more about Dolly Madison than her husband, James, the fourth president of the United States. But for journalists and their readers, listeners and viewers, Mr. Madison deserves more attention. James Madison is the father of the U.S. Constitution, and his birthday is coming up on March 16. There won’t be any parties to note the day, but it ought to be a time to celebrate the freedoms that he fought to include in the Constitution, beginning with the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech, religion, assembly, petition and the press. Madison was a leading champion of press freedom, saying “a wide latitude for political criticism is indispensable to keep the electorate free, informed and capable of making intelligent choices.” That was more than 200 years ago, a time when the news media were not as pervasive as they are today, and many modern-day Americans are outraged that the media use the Constitution to justify or excuse arrogant, biased, sensational and irresponsible behavior. Journalists should never get the idea that their mission is so high that no one should question their performance. In fact, the higher the mission, the more important it is to be responsible. The public is demanding better performance from the news media. People want the press to be free and open, but they don’t want it to be pushy and intrusive. They don’t want government control or censorship but would like to see the media exercise some self-regulation. They want more accountability from the press. They say the “watchdog” role is a good one, but they believe the watchdog should be disciplined when it misbehaves. The Society of Professional Journalists, the nation’s largest and broadest journalism organization, has an effort called Project Watchdog to engage the public in a discussion about the role of a free press in a democratic society. It aims to show that freedom of the press safeguards the other freedoms in the Constitution — that it’s everybody’s First Amendment. Do the news media hear more disapproval than really exists because its critics are usually louder than its supporters? Perhaps, but it is precisely those vocal opponents with whom professional journalists want to build understanding and mutual respect. That’s the reason for Project Watchdog. If you have something to say to the news media, the Society of Professional Journalists is ready to listen. (Editorial can be ended with a list of local, regional and national contacts for Watchdog.)

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Project Watchdog: First Amendment Quiz Adapt for your state and give to audiences at Watchdog programs. It’s good for starting a discussion and raising awareness.

1. Fill in the blanks of the First Amendment: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of ____________ or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging freedom of _________ or the ________; or the right of the people peaceably to ____________ and to petition the government for redress of grievances.” 2. The Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution was adopted in: a. 1776

b. 1787

c. 1791.

3. ___(name of state)____ has an open-records law. Using that law, you ask to view a public document. Must you produce identification to the custodian of the document? Y N 4. Are cameras allowed in courtrooms in the state of _____(name of state)?

Y

N

5. Are cameras allowed in federal courts in _____(name of state)?

Y

N

6. In 18th century America, truth was not a defense for libel.

Y

N

7. About half the states offer journalists some protection against efforts to force them to reveal confidential sources. This protection is called a: a. source law

b. shield law

c. Branzburg law

d. Privacy Act

8. Journalists who witness crimes cannot be compelled to testify about them.

Y

N

9. Government can regulate the editorial functions of American newspapers.

Y

N

10. Government can regulate the editorial functions of American TV stations.

Y

N

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