Eric Freedman is a co-editor of a new book on challenges facing international journalism. Critical Perspectives on Journalistic Beliefs: Global Perspectives was just published by Routledge.
It provides case studies, many incorporating in-depth interviews and surveys, that examine such issues as journalists’ attitudes toward their contributions to society; the impact of industry and technological changes; culture and minority issues in the newsroom and profession; the impact of censorship and self-censorship; and coping with psychological pressures and physical safety dilemmas.
The book also highlights journalists’ challenges in national and multinational contexts. International scholars, conducting research within a wide range of authoritarian, semi-democratic and democratic systems, examined journalistic practices in the Arab World, Australia, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Denmark, India, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Mexico, Russia, Samoa, South Africa, Taiwan, Turkey and the United States.
Freedman’s co-editors are Robyn S. Goodman, a professor of Communication Studies at Alfred University, and Elanie Steyn, an associate professor and head of Journalism in the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Oklahoma. Goodman earned her Ph.D. at MSU’s College of Communication Arts & Sciences.
Here’s the Knight Center lineup of environmental journalism courses for summer and fall 2018 and spring 2019. They’re open to undergrads and grad students in all majors.
Environmental Advocacy Communications, JRN 472, Section 731, online, 3 credits:
This course will introduce students to environmental advocacy and examine real-world environmental advocacy communications campaigns – including components such as media outreach, action alerts, social media engagement, and the intersection of online/offline activism. Students will get hands-on experience creating a communications plan for an environmental campaign. No prerequisites. Instructor: Katie Coleman, katieelizabethcoleman@hotmail.com
Environmental Reporting: Crossing Borders, JRN 472, 3 credits
Reporting on US-Canadian transborder environmental issues and events, for great lakes echo, a regional environmental news site with student stories that are reposted worldwide. Students should be eligible to enter Canada. Open to all majors. Prerequisites waived by contacting instructor. Instructor: Eric Freedman, freedma5@msu.edu
Environmental Reporting: The Great Outdoors, JRN 472, 3 credits
Reporting on rivers, lakes, forests, wildlife, public lands and other environmental issues for Great Lakes Echo, a regional environmental news site with stories that are reposted worldwide. Open to all majors. Prerequisites waived by contacting instructor. Instructor: Dave Poulson: poulson@msu.edu
Nine of our environmental journalism students received $23,200 in merit-based scholarships and awards at the Journalism School’s annual awards convocation.
Dr. Eric Freedman and Agnes Bao
Agnes Bao (master’s student): EJ student. Michael A. and Sandra S. Clark Scholarship and Donald F. and Katherine K. Dahlstrom Scholarship in Environmental Journalism
Tony Cepak (Ph.D. student): EJ researcher and photographer. Robert Popa Scholarship
Dr. Serena Carpenter and Tony Cepak
Kate Habrel (master’s student): writer for Great Lakes Echo. School of Journalism Outstanding Master’s Student, Rachel Carson Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Environmental Journalism and Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Award
Maxwell Johnston (master’s student): writer for Great Lakes Echo and Food Fix podcaster. Edward J. Meeman Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Environmental Journalism
Dr. Bruno Takahashi and Katherine Habrel
Apoorva Joshi (Ph.D. student): EJ researcher. Don Caldwell Memorial Scholarship
Steven Maier (undergrad): writer for Great Lakes Echo, Walter S. and Syrena M. Howell Essay Scholarship and Kappa Tau Alpha Inductee
Dr. Eric Freedman and Maxwell Johnston
Jack Nissen (master’s student): writer for Great Lakes Echo. Great Lakes Echo Excellence Award
Gloria Nzeka (master’s student): writer for Great Lakes Echo and Food Fix podcaster. Capital News Service Connection Award
Steven Maier, Tony VanWitsen, Jack Nissen
Carin Tunney (Ph.D. student): EJ researcher. Len Barnes AAA Scholarship
Tony Van Witsen (Ph.D. student): EJ researcher. Dr. Mickie E. Edwardson Scholarship
Dr. Davenport and Gloria Nzeka
For information on how to contribute to MSU’s environmental journalism scholarship and award funds or to endow a new scholarship or award, please contact Knight Center director Eric Freedman.