Two workshops for journalists week of Oct. 23
Journalists who want to learn more about court reporting or public meetings and open records laws in Mississippi have two important training opportunities coming up the week of Oct. 23.
The Judges and Journalists Workshop will bring together reporters and members of the judiciary for a daylong session at Pearl River Resort in Philadelphia Wednesday, Oct. 25.
The program will start with continental breakfast at 8 a.m. in Meeting Rooms 4 and 5 at the Silver Star Conference Center. The morning session will include role reversals in a mock trial. You be the judges, and jurists will take notes and write news stories. Afterwards, participants will study the stories written and talk about each other¹s roles.
The luncheon speaker will be Circuit Judge Marcus Gordon.
The afternoon session will start with a video clip from a TV interview of a judge, with discussion to follow.
The media program will conclude with a panel discussion of free press vs. fair trial issues. Panelists include Circuit Judges Vernon Cotten and Ann H. Lamar, Rankin County Court Judge Kent McDaniel, Clarion-Ledger Court Reporter Jimmie Gates, Greenwood Commonwealth Managing Editor Leesha Faulkner and WLBT TV News Director Dennis Smith.
For more information or to obtain an agenda and registration form, e-mail bkraft@mssc.state.ms.us or call Beverly Kraft at 601-354-7452.
The week ends with a special program conducted by noted Freedom of Information attorney Leonard Van Slyke of Jackson on open meetings and public records. The event will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Clarion-Ledger and is co-sponsored by MPA, the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. and the Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information.
Van Slyke is a former reporter who has represented media companies for the past two decades and has been listed in the Best Lawyers in America in First Amendment Law.
Registration fee is $35 for MCFOI members and $50 for non-members. The price includes a copy of the MCFOI media law handbook and covers lunch.
Deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 20. Send fee and contact information, including email address, to Jeanni Atkins, MCFOI, Department of Journalism, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677. Contact her by emailing iatkins@olemiss.edu or call 662-915-7146.