Jenna Dooley – Illinois News Broadcasters Association

Local Journalism Task Force releases final report

Jenna Dooley — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 02:24:49 +0000

Sen. Steve Stadelman, D-Rockford, introduces the final report of the state’s Local Journalism Task Force. It details a decline of local news coverage throughout the state but proposes ways the legislature can support newsrooms. (Capitol News Illinois photo by Alex Abbeduto)

By Jenna Dooley, INBA Immediate Past President

It may seem very meta (or perhaps even Meta?!) to talk about journalists reporting on journalism in the digital age, but here I go. The Illinois Local Journalism Task Force submitted its final report and I want to share both the report itself and some of the coverage surrounding it.

As you may recall, the task force was convened by Sen. Steve Stadelman, a former news anchor who wanted to study the rapid rise of news deserts across our state and research possible solutions to introduce in the public sphere and through possible legislative action.

When INBA first learned that state government was talking seriously about potential policies affecting our industry, we asked to be at the table since our members feel the effects of this crisis deeply in our daily work.

After several months of public meetings, members of the task force decided a research-based approach would be the most appropriate way to synthesize the information we gathered. The report seeks to provide a menu of policy options, laying out pros and cons of each with cost estimates and general parameters for who should (or should not) qualify.

I cannot predict the political viability of any individual recommendation. There are some recommendations you may personally think have merit and others you may wholly disagree with depending on your philosophy related to policy and journalism. But I think INBA as an organization should take the time to weigh each on its own merits if/when they take the form of legislation. We have a history of advocating publicly on issues involving the practice of news gathering and protection of the First Amendment.

It was an honor to serve on behalf of INBA in this capacity and the perspectives you shared with me greatly helped inform my approach.

Here is some coverage related to the release of the report.

Northwestern University’s Local News Initiative

The Pantagraph

Video of the news conference:

Here is the statement I read during the press conference:

My name is Jenna Dooley.

I represent the Illinois News Broadcasters Association.

We are a non-profit organization that trains and supports broadcast journalists and educators around the state.

Many of our reporters serve in downstate markets, often in news deserts. It isn’t easy work, but it lies at the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

We are aware of the challenges facing our industry.

These recommendations focus on a range of possible solutions.

I work in both the newsroom and the classroom and there is a lot of talent in our Illinois pipeline. Our state’s news outlets offer some of the best hands-on training out there dedicated to ethical and innovative journalism. I believe that is worth additional investment.

These recommendations acknowledge the crisis, while connecting a few dots on the assets and opportunities in front of us as a state.

I am eager to see how these recommendations are received and what additional ideas they generate.

Thank you.

INBA Crystal Mic award to be named in honor of longtime member, Paul Davis

Jenna Dooley — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 21:38:19 +0000

The INBA Crystal Mic award for Best TV Newscast will be named in honor of two-time INBA Illinoisan of the Year Paul Davis.

Davis is a former WGN-TV News Director and past president of INBA. He also served as president of both the Radio-Television News Directors Association and the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi.

Davis grew up in Effingham in a broadcasting family. His mother was news director of WCRA radio for 37 years.

Davis also worked at WCIA-TV in Champaign before serving as news director at WGN.

Davis was awarded the Illinoisan of the Year in 1993 and again in 2013 surrounded by family and friends.

Davis calls the honor, “A remarkable present– a nice tip of the hat.”

INBA general membership voted wholeheartedly at the organization’s spring convention in favor of creating the “Paul Davis Best TV Newscast Crystal Mic” which will be presented at INBA’s fall convention in Rockford to the station who wins this category.

Thanks to Paul for his generous service to INBA over the years.