Diamond Jennkins
Blue & White Flash / Staff Writer
Students from colleges and universities all over the state of Mississippi and members of the Mississippi Press Association (MPA) came together for the 14th Annual O.C. McDavid Journalism conference in Jackson at the Mississippi Children’s Museum on March 29.
The conference is named after the late O.C. McDavid, former managing editor of The Jackson Daily News, who actively pursued a second career as an artist and sculptor after retiring from journalism.
The conference provides educational and networking opportunities for students by showcasing Mississippi journalists, educators and artisans during the one day event.
One of the highlights of the conference included a presentation from Cynthia Joyce, associate professor of the Meek School of Journalism and New Media at the University of Mississippi.
Her presentation on social media delved into how Twitter, Facebook, blogs and other popular sites are changing the landscape of print and broadcast journalism.
Joyce urged the students in attendance to make use of social media as a sourcing tool.
“It is incredible to me now that young people are not taking more advantage of (social media) because you have information coming at you and streaming all day long. The problem is determining how do you filter that to make sense of all that information,” said Joyce.
She also talked about the advancements of social networks on news writing:
“[Twitter] is kind of like watching the heartbeat of the story. The story is no longer a product but a process,” said Joyce.
Natosha Hubbard, a senior mass communications major and Blue & White Flash staff writer, took issue with the lecture on using social media as a sourcing tool.
“It provides instant updates, but at the same time as media practitioners we need to be able to separate fact from fiction. Everything on a social networking site that is presented as truth is not always accurate so checking and double checking your information before you relay it to your audience is a must.”
“Journalism conferences are beneficial to students because it allows us to see how other media outlets gather, sort and present information. It gives them the opportunity to hear invaluable advice and information from established media practioners. At these conferecnes students also get to see what their peers are doing and what new innovative ideas if any they are implementing to keep them cometitive in the ever changing media market,” said Hubbard.
Another highlight of the conference was a presentation by cartoonist Marshall Ramsey, a two-time Pulitzer Prize nominee.
“We have incredible news here (in Mississipi) and we have incredible opportunities, incredible stories and incredible story tellers,” said Ramsey. “You need two things to be successful (in journalism); you need to find your niche or your voice and you need to be persistent.”
Alan Wells, cartoonist for The Blue & White Flash was inspired by Ramsey’s work.
“I thought his work was nothing short of amazing. He definitely has a gift being able to bring smiles to readers faces. His work is not only inspiring to me but shines a positive light throughout the state of Mississippi,” said Wells.
The event included a luncheon and the presentation of the annual Better Newspaper Contest Student Division awards following the speakers. Attendees also received a copy of “My Name is O.C.,” McDavid’s autobiography.
The Blue and White Flash received two first place awards for Best Editorial and Best Cartoon. Other awards included third place for General Excellence, second place for Best Sports Photo, second place Best Sports Story, third place for Layout and Design, and second place for General News Story.
The MPA Education Foundation was established in 1983 to help foster journalism education at in-state colleges and universities, as well as provide internships and scholarships for Mississippi journalism students. Funding is provided by the family of McDavid to honor his memory.
The Better Newspaper Contest is held semi-annually to recognize excellence in news reporting and advertising. Each spring and fall, newspaper professionals from sister press associations convene to judge entries submitted by Mississippi newspapers. Winners in advertising are announced during the Mid-Winter Conference; editorial winners are announced each summer during the Annual Convention.
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