Secrets Revealed at Media Workshop

The Charlotte Area Association of Black Journalists held its fourth annual "Secrets to Accessing the Media" workshop Saturday at the Afro-American Cultural Center. A great panel of journalists representing several media outlets engaged the audience in a discussion that provided insight into how their newsrooms work.


The panelists gave several tips on what you should and shouldn't do if you're trying to get media coverage. Very informative, and sometimes funny, the panelists covered a wide range of topics such as when and where to submit press releases; who at their stations and publications decide what stories air or get printed; how the Internet has impacted the ways in which they cover news; and whether or not the economic recession has affected the amount of coverage they provide.


After the panel discussion, the journalists then took questions from the audience. Filled with local residents who work in public relations, arts, education, the nonprofit sector, and the business community, they asked great questions to learn more about how they can get their stories told.


After the formal portion of the workshop, the attendees and journalists mingled and networked in the cultural center's art galleries where refreshments were served. The attendees also took home a 12-page guide that contained local media contact info, a sample press release, newsroom flowchart, and other helpful tips.


CAABJ thanks its panelists: April Bethea, reporter for The Charlotte Observer; Glenn Burkins, publisher and editor of QcityMetro.com; Janine Davis, producer and co-host of Power 98 FM’s morning show; Kristen Miranda, WBTV consumer reporter; Carlton Hargro, editor of Creative Loafing; and Richard Thurmond, editor and associate publisher of Charlotte magazine.

CAABJ also thanks its sponsors who helped make this workshop possible: the Afro-American Cultural Center and Three Little Birds Stationery and Gifts.