SJMC Weekly Announcements

Week of January 15–19, 2024

Kudos

SJMC joins higher ed leaders standing up for local news

Leaders of journalism programs across the U.S. have come together to figure out how to best bolster local news. The leaders of these programs, including SJMC, recognize the immense importance of local news and that its demise threatens our democracy and rule of law. Read more about the initiative.

SJMC senior Audrey Thibert receives 2024 Overseas Press Club Scholar Award

Earlier this month, Audrey was awarded the 2024 Overseas Press Club Foundation Scholar Award. The award is given to young journalists to gain experience in overseas reporting, either through a scholarship or a fellowship in the foreign bureaus of the Associated Press, Reuters, or The Wall Street Journal, among others. Audrey spent Summer 2023 in Tunisia as a Pulitzer Center Reporting Fellow reporting on migrant experiences. She hopes to work in one of the Middle East and North Africa bureaus of OPC partners. Read more about Aubrey and her award.

Professor Lucas Graves shares misinformation expertise in The Conversation

Lucas recently co-authored an article in The Conversation about misinformation and the impact of the evolution of fact-checking journalism. The article explores the ways in which fact-checking impacts the public as well as the challenges that fact-checkers face and argues that the world of fact-checking is far more complex and hopeful than typically reported. Read the full article.

Publications

Assistant Professor Jing Wang publishes new article in Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media

In the article titled "Small apps for digital futures: Podcasting ecology in contemporary China", Jing explores how podcasters in China make use of small app infrastructures to build community, and how they navigate the tension between aspirations for autonomy and tight regulations, censorship, and platform dominance. Read the full article.

Vilas Hall Happenings

The latest happenings at the SJMC and links for easy sharing with your networks.

Graduate Adviser Lisa Aarli retires from SJMC

After 11 years of advising and supporting graduate students, Lisa Aarli retired from SJMC last week. Aarli's warmth and dedication to her advisees were a hallmark of her tenure on the fifth floor of Vilas Hall. As part of JOURN 335: Principles and Practices of Reporting, professional M.A. student Keifa Jaward profiled Aarli and detailed her time as a graduate adviser.

Student Spotlight: Heewone Lim

This week's student spotlight is Heewone Lim, a sophomore majoring in Journalism and Folklore and Languages and Cultures of Northern Europe (Dutch). Over the summer, she worked at WORT 89.9 FM as a news reporting intern and is currently the News Director at WSUM.

Professor Doug McLeod receives Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award

It was announced this week that Evjue Centennial Professor Doug McLeod received the 2024 Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award. Doug is one of five faculty members to win the Award for his stellar teaching and mentorship. Congratulations, Doug!

Upcoming Events

Feb. 16: "Jim: The James Foley Story" Film Screening and Q&A

SJMC and the Center for Journalism Ethics are excited to welcome the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation to campus on Friday, Feb. 16 for a screening of "Jim: The James Foley Story" and a discussion of journalist safety. All are welcome to attend this sure-to-be impactful event.

Feb. 19: Preston Colloquium with Rebekah Nagler

Associate professor at the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication Rebekah Nagler will present her talk "Confronting the perennial challenge of conflicting health information" on Monday, Feb. 19 in the Nafziger Room (5055 Vilas Hall). Lunch will be provided.

Feb. 22: Ralph O. & Monona H. Nafziger Lecture Series: Resiliency in Today's Fast-Paced Sports Media

SJMC is excited to welcome UW alum and BOV member Andy Katz on Thursday, Feb. 22 for a presentation about dealing with and thriving from adversity in the world of sports media. Andy Katz is a digital reporter, analyst and host for NCAA and Big Ten Network. Light refreshments will be provided. Mark your calendars – you don't want to miss this event!

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