By: Joe Strupp The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) and the National Arab American Journalists Association (NAAJA) are joining forces to create a special sub-group within SPJ for Arab-Americans.
In a joint release Wednesday, the two groups announced that ?by providing tips, resources, training, mentoring and related discussion,? they will ?work together to develop a dialogue that is sure to encourage newsroom diversity, crossover memberships and a greater understanding of cultures within the profession.?
Specifically, SPJ will create a special ?membership section? for Arab-Americans that will be devoted to issues affecting that group and could become a prototype for other sub-groups.
?This is the first step in a renewed effort by SPJ to reach out to all journalists across different cultures and media,? SPJ National President Clint Brewer said in the release. ?SPJ wants to foster an atmosphere in the organization where all journalists are welcomed and find value in being a member.?
SPJ explained that ?the concept of membership sections was introduced in 2006 by the Society?s national Board of Directors as a way of furthering member benefits in SPJ. With these special sections, members would be able to connect and interact regularly at professional levels, regardless of the medium in which they work.
?In early 2007, Ray Hanania, president of NAAJA, submitted a proposal for consideration to form the first membership section with the Society that would attract Arab Americans who work in journalism or who are journalism students,? the release added. ?In May, the board voted to create the Arab American membership section within the Society.? A related blog, "Al-Sahafiyeen," meaning ?the journalists,? was launched Oct. 15 on SPJ.org.
?Our goal in pursuing this is to provide a professional resource where Arab Americans can find guidance as they pursue careers in journalism,? Hanania said. ?And when it comes to professional journalism, no other organization offers more resources and support than the SPJ. We also hope the new SPJ-Arab Journalism Section will serve as a resource for all journalists on issues related to Arab Americans and the Middle East.?
Membership into the Arab-American section is open to any SPJ member at an additional $10 per year fee. The money raised is slated for programs related to Arab-American journalism issues.
The NAAJA was launched in 1999. SPJ was founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi fraternity.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here