Update on editorial sessions offered at AWNA’s convention

Following is the outline of the editorial roundtable discussion that will be offered at the Association annual convention. The sessions take place Saturday, June 14 from 2 – 4 pm. Richard Pitman’s and Jim Cunningham’s bios are also included.

Round-table on News Writing and Photojournalism:

What makes a community newspaper successful? – Jim Cunningham

There are many possible answers to that question, from great news coverage, to strong support for the community, to sharp marketing and advertising. As a news guy, though, Jim Cunningham is convinced that nothing makes a local paper more valuable to readers than solid news coverage. And that means getting the news right, getting it first, and making sure our coverage is useful, as well as merely interesting and/or important. Following the basics good, professional reporting can help make that happen, and that is Jim’s topic for the round-table session.

Jim’s bio

Jim Cunningham teaches journalism at SAIT Polytechnic in Calgary, focusing on writing and reporting. He came to the SAIT program in 2000, after serving as an editor and reporter at the Calgary Herald for 22 years. He also was city editor, and news editor of the Red Deer Advocate for six years. Jim was raised in Rocky Mountain House, and grew up reading The Mountaineer, a newspaper he still subscribes to, to this day. His dream is to retire in a place where he can both read, and hopefully occasionally write for, a good community newspaper.

Photojournalism – Richard Pitman

-Some shooting tips for local school gyms and arenas
-Getting the most out of what equipment you have
-What camera gear should I have for the job, do I need more?
-The latest cameras and gizmos to make life easier

Richard’s bio

Richard Pitman has spent 20 years combined in the daily and weekly newspaper field, and has just recently retired from SAIT where he taught photojournalism for 13 years.
Richard is now retired and living in Hanna with his wife Debbie, and enjoys photographing his grandchildren and their activities.