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The Victims and the Media Program was established in 1991 to assist journalism students in reporting on victims of violence and catastrophe with the sensitivity, dignity and respect that they deserve. The program benefited from the input and resources of psychiatrist Frank Ochberg, M.D.the Dart Foundation of Mason, Mich.; and the Michigan Victim Alliance. With their help, the program hosted a conference on the topic, created a series of instructional videotapes and developed curriculum on the topic for use in the journalism classes at the Michigan State University School of Journalism. MSUs JSchool remains the only School of Journalism in the United States that guarantees all of its graduates receive specialized intruction in reporting on victims of violence and catastrophe.In the introductory reporting classes, MSU JSchool students participate in an interactive discussion about issues related to reporting on victims, promoted by a videotape on Reporting on Victims of Violence and Catastrophe click here for more information.In the advanced reporting classes, students typically have the opportunity to interview a victim volunteer and learn about that persons experiences with the media. Inclass presentations can also feature firsthand accounts from journalists who cover crime or who have covered major tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing or the school shooting in Columbine.Over time, the program has expanded its mission to include outreach efforts beyond the college classroom. Among the new initiatives are efforts to provide assistance to working journalists. Faculty and staff serve as panelists or workshop trainers at the annual meetings of professional and student news media associations such as the Society for Professional Journalists, Michigan Press Association, Associated Press, Michigan Press Women, Headliners Club of Chicago and the College Media Association. [Click here to visit a miniWebsite on Bonnie Bucqueroux participation on the SPJ panel on the topic. Please bookmark this site before you leave.The program has also provided workshops for individual news organizations, such as the Detroit Free Press, the Atlanta JournalConstitution and the Bay City Times. Funding from the Freedom Forum allowed the program to develop a new video for use in the classroom and with professionals. The video Reporting on Victims of Violence & Castrophe focuses on: issues and challenges, tips and techniques and the impact on the journalist.For six years, the Victims and the Media Progam administered the judging for the Dart Award. The $10,000 prize is now administered by the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma at the University of Washington.

 

Address: Michigan State UniversitySchool of Journalism 305 Communication Arts Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1212
Telephone: 517.353.6430
Website: http://victims.jrn.msu.edu/