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OuterNotes: Writer and Editor Organizations

  1. Online News Association: Theory, Practice and Access
  2. ...As The Digital Journalist Keys on Synergy and Imagery
  3. Society of Professional Journalists Goes Electronic
  4. Poynter.org: Research Meets Real-World Advice
  5. Reporter.org: A First Stop for Writers
  6. The Editorial Freelance Organization: High-Quality Networking

1. Online News Association: Theory, Practice and Access
http://www.onlinenewsassociation.org/

Online news sites break story after story every day, but they aren't as respected as other journalistic outlets. The Online News Association was founded in 1999 to help that situation. Overseen by working newspeople from outlets including Time.com, TheStreet.com and ZDNet, the group wants that online news to have the same freedoms and standards as other media. A special concern is the new media journalist's right of access, and the group is working hard to insure the same accreditation for online editors as those for print and television reporters. Other recent ONA initiatives include the annual Online Journalism Awards, a study commissioned to explore Web credibility, and an amicus curiae briefing in a court case defending the right to link to newsworthy third-party sites.
--Chris Stamper

2. ...As The Digital Journalist Keys on Synergy and Imagery
http://digitaljournalist.org/

Computers, online publishing and digital cameras have changed photojournalism forever. Veteran news photographer Dirck Halstead takes a serious look at the field with The Digital Journalist, a monthly magazine with an amazing collection of graphics and features. He mixes strong content covering everything from the White House to the Olympics with tips and discussions about the profession. The many personal experiences recounted by the site's contributors are especially useful.
--Chris Stamper

3. Society of Professional Journalists Goes Electronic
http://spj.org/

The Society of Professional Journalists sees itself as the ethical center of the news business, and its Electronic Journalist site spotlights how to deal with tough parts of the trade like access to prisons and medical privacy. An extensive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) section offers a wealth of information for those who need to extract facts from government officials. You'll also find the SPJ's Code of Ethics, which many consider the standard of professionalism for working newsgatherers. Everyone who picks up a reporter's notebook should look through SPJ's materials at least once. And even if you're not interested in the $70 annual membership, there's also a strong list of links to other journalism organizations that might better fit your particular field of expertise.
--Chris Stamper

4. Poynter.org: Research Meets Real-World Advice
http://poynter.org/index.cfm

St. Petersburg Times Publisher Nelson Poynter believed so strongly in elevating journalism standards through training and research, that he willed his controlling stock of the Times Publishing Company to the institute that bears his name. He'd be heartened to see the online impressive journalism resource center that includes over 200 categorized "tip sheets" on reporting and writing, computer assisted writing, editing and copyediting, ethical guidelines, headlines, captions and ledes, and much more. All reflect a real-world sensibility and experience, such as the "Pre-publish checklist: Questions To Ask Before Publishing Online," "What News Directors Want from Producers," and "Newsroom Management Part 1: The Tough Conversation." Other great features found here are the online editor, news researcher, online-usage studies and 200 more links to journalism and writing sites. Whether you are a journalism student, teacher, or writer, the materials here will help you, and a weekly e-mail update is can keep you abreast of new features once you've explored the site.
--Peggy LeTrent

4. Reporter.org: A First Stop for Writers
http://www.reporter.org/

Need some help using the Net to report stories? Reporter.org offers help to those discovering how to find news in cyberspace. It sells Web hosting to journalism sites and provides a public search engine for trolling through them. There's also a beat source guide with suggestions for various areas like agriculture, arts and business. Reporter.org also provides links to major news sites, want ads, plus its own job listings. The employment pickings we saw were a handful of listings mostly from non-profits, TV stations and newspapers that date from one day to two months old; a few were from major market outlets such as KCBS-TV, the AP, the Portland Oregonian). All told, one who is already used to online journalism probably won't need this site, but those still learning the ropes might find it handy.
--Christopher L. Stamper

5. The Editorial Freelance Organization: High-Quality Networking
http://www.the-efa.org

This 900-strong group of editors, line editors, copy editors, researchers, proofreaders, picture researchers, indexers, desktop publishers, designers, translators, and other publishing professionals' site offers a strong list of online resources and an excellent roster of networking events at its nine U.S. chapters. The $115.00 annual subscription entitles members to free chapter meetings, reduced tuition for online editing and writing courses, a monthly newsletter and eligibility for health and disability benefits. For an additional $25.00 a year, freelancers can list themselves in the talent directory that's offered free to editors seeking writers.
--Mariateresa Thiery

[Editor's OuterNote: I was fortunate to attend the EFA's Febraury New York City chapter meeting. CondeNet.com editor Kerrin Griffith and Featurewell.com founder David Wallis engaged in a lively give-and-take with the audience about print vs. online writing. If there's a chapter near you, I definitely recommend joining.]


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