Resources

As a journalist, writer and editor, I rely on all kinds of online resources to help me gather information, process data, investigate stories, and educate myself about a wide variety of topics. I have to reach out to big audiences through social media sites, chat with people about everything from automobiles to zebras, and contact folks with industry specific knowledge through organizations that cater to their needs. Sometimes, I also need to find sites that help me broaden my skill set, teach me new tricks of the trade, and offer advice on writing, photography, web content management and more. Below are some of my favorite sites. Hopefully these will be of assistance to you in your life too.

Best,
Jathan

Awards

Scripps Howard Awards: Since 1953, the Scripps Howard Foundation has recognized the best work in journalism through its national journalism awards program. The competition offers opportunities for media outlets, their staff members and freelance contributors. Most categories recognize excellence across the multiple platforms of print, broadcast and online media.

Industry Guides and Publications

Columbia Journalism Review: Founded in 1961 under the auspices of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, CJR encourages and stimulates excellence in journalism in all its forms. Published six times a year, CJR offers a deliberative mix of reporting, analysis, criticism, and commentary.

FOLIO: Magazine: FOLIO: is the magazine industry’s source for news, careers, suppliers, education, features, video, multimedia and more. Sign up for their newsletter and get great industry news delivered to your inbox every week!

Quill Magazine: Published by the Society of Professional Journalists for more than 90 years, Quill helps readers keep their finger on the pulse of American journalism—its challenges, opportunities and responsibilities. Read the current issue online or become a SPJ member and receive the latest issue in your mailbox!

Job Banks

Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism Job Bank: Professional journalism jobs and internships are posted on the Berkeley site weekly and the system is refreshed monthly so job listings are always current. This is a terrific resource no matter what stage you’re at in your career as a journalist.

JournalismJobs.com: Founded in 1998 by a former copy editor and business writer with the Washington Post, America Online, Money Magazine, JournalismJobs.com is now the largest and most-visited resource for journalism jobs.

Media Bistro: MB provides opportunities for media professionals to meet, share resources, become informed of job opportunities and interesting projects and news, improve career skills, and showcase work. Sign up for their newsletter to receive fantastic content in your inbox daily.

Online News Association Career Center: ONA is the world’s largest association of digital journalists and their mission is to inspire innovation and excellence among their colleagues to help them better serve the public. ONA also hosts the Online News Association conference and administers the Online Journalism Awards.

Societies and Organizations

Investigative Reporters and Editors: IRE fosters excellence in investigative journalism by providing training, resources and community; promoting high professional standards and protecting the rights of investigative journalists.

Native American Journalists Association: NAJA empowers Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures.

Radio Television Digital News Association: Since 1946, RTDNA has been dedicated to setting standards for newsgathering and reporting. The world’s largest professional organization exclusively serving the electronic news profession, RTDNA members benefit from publications, training, advocacy and networking opportunities.

Society of Environmental Journalists: SEJ strengthens the quality, reach and viability of journalism across all media to advance public understanding of environmental issues.

Society of Professional Journalists: I’ve been a member of SPJ since 2004, but the organization has been “improving and protecting journalism since 1909.” SPJ offers numerous networking opportunities, training sessions, workshops, awards, and more. If you’re a journalist, you should really be a part of SPJ.

Training for Journalists

JournalismTraining.org: Developed by the Society of Professional Journalists, JournalismTraining.org provides a centralized location for journalists seeking information about professional development opportunities and is devoted to helping journalists everywhere find the training they need.

The Poynter Institute: Poynter helps journalists do their jobs better and to serve their communities. Updated daily, it provides journalists with reliable information, useful tools and provocative training sessions that promote excellence and integrity in our profession.

Reynolds Journalism Institute: RJI works with citizens, journalists and researchers to strengthen democracy through better journalism. RJI seeks out the most exciting new ideas, tests them with real-world experiments, uses social science research to assess their effectiveness and delivers solutions that citizens and journalists and put to use in their own communities.

Writing Guides and Tutorials

Associated Press Stylebook: Known by some as “the journalist’s bible,” the AP Stylebook is an essential handbook for all writers, editors, students and public relations specialists that provides guidelines on spelling, grammar, punctuation and usage, and features special sections on food, social media, business, sports and media law.

Rules for Writers: Diana Hacker’s guides to writing were introduced to me during my freshman English course in college. Her books and site offer tons of useful tips on everything from punctuation and grammar to attribution, style, and research.