NAHJ Region 5 Conference Focuses on How Terrorism Has Changed Industry

More than 150 journalists from Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana met in Oklahoma City March 30 – 31 for the 2007 NAHJ Region 5 Conference.

The conference theme, “Reporting Terrorism from the Frontlines,” focused on the changing role of journalists since 9/11. Don Hamilton, director of the Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, acknowledged the need for security, but reminded journalists that they need to question the facts being presented by experts.

“When a so-called expert tells you that if we don’t do this or that, we’re going to have a specific number in the increase of terrorist attacks, ask them why and how they came to that conclusion,” Hamilton said, during the opening reception held at the old Journal Record building near the site of the Oklahoma City bombing.

During the luncheon Saturday in the historic Skirvin Hilton, keynote speaker Ben Fenwick, an award-winning journalist and investigative reporter for the Oklahoma Gazette, gave attendees a first-hand account of what it was like to be an “imbedded” journalist in Afghanistan.

“Those of us who cover the war and terrorism from the United States still don’t know what it’s like for those who go to Afghanistan and Iraq,” said Rosa Flores, president of the NAHJ Oklahoma City chapter. “It was eye-opening to get an honest account of the compromises that journalists have to make during this kind of coverage.”

Attendees also were able to choose from a variety of other sessions, including the “Manual de Estilo” workshop presented by Lilia O’Hara, co-author of the Spanish-language stylebook, created in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and CNN.

Linda Levy, co-founder of NWT , was one of several professionals available to critique tapes and resumes during the conference Media Biz Expo and Career Fair. The Oklahoma City chapter also offered scholarships to local high school and college students to attend the conference.

“This was a wonderful opportunity for students to network and get a behind-the-scenes look at journalism,” said Roberto Pazos, NAHJ Region 5 Director.

The 2007 conference culminated with a closing reception at the Remington Park and Casino. Attendees enjoyed live horse racing and took in some Oklahoma City sites after a long day of workshops.

Rob Collins, editor of the Oklahoma Gazette, and Pamela Grady, editor at the OKC Business Journal, talk with Mauro Yanez at the 2007 NAHJ Region 5 Conference in Oklahoma City.	Sophia Reza, a reporter at News 5 in Oklahoma City, moderated the "Reporting Crime" panel that included Dr. Joey Senat, sitting left, an expert in Freedom of Information Issues. Others on the panel included Elda Torres, of Nota Roja, Jesse Olivarez, crime reporter for The Oklahoman and Dave Jordan of News 9 in Oklahoma City.