Published Wednesday, April 4, 2001
The idea zone
BY ICESS FERNANDEZ AND ANGELIQUE SOENARIE
ASNE Reporter
A the ASNE convention got under way Tuesday, editors from around the country were excited about reinvigorating themselves and their newsrooms, sharing ideas on retention and picking up information on specific interests about the industry.
 |
| Rockford Register Star executive editor Linda Cunningham (left), Medill News Service co-director Ellen Shearer (center) and York Daily Record editor and publisher Dennis Hetzel chat at the ASNE opening reception on Tuesday night. (AMY LEANG/ASNE REPORTER) |
Carole Leigh Hutton, managing editor of the Detroit Free Press
“I think what’s buzzing is staff retention.” Editors need to retain and find ways to keep minority journalists in newsrooms as much as possible.
Robert Cleland of the Los Angeles Times-Washington Post News Service said he’s at the convention to hear what newspapers are saying about the Internet. He said he wants to know what newspapers are doing to promote news Web sites.
Cynthia A. Tucker, editorial page editor of the The Atlanta Constitution, is also worried about losing seasoned minority journalists at her paper.
She said she hopes to find out why minority journalists are leaving the newsrooms.
“There’s not a problem with recruiting minority journalists, but keeping them in newspapers.
We have to find out why they’re leaving (the) Atlanta Constitution…and newspapers. We’re going to have do some research, including exit reviews,” she said.
 |
| Daniel Sheehy and the Mariachi Los Amigos performed during the opening night reception. (WILLIE J. ALLEN/ASNE) |
James O’Shea, managing editor of the Chicago Tribune
“It’s a supply problem. It’s harder to find people. Even if they are not at the experience level, I’d like to know who they are. (The issue of) minority journalists is very touchy. I hope to pick heads with my fellow editors,” he said. “It’s a crucial issue.”
Eileen Lehnert, editor, The Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot: “I want to go home with one really good idea for my newsroom and my paper. It doesn’t matter how big or small the idea – but one really good idea. I also get a renewed vigor from (the) convention.”
Timothy A. Franklin, vice president/editor, the Orlando Sentinel: “As an editor for a little more than one year, I’m hoping to be a sponge. This is a great opportunity to step back and re-evaluate my job and see how you can do it better. It’s just a great opportunity to talk to people who have the same problems you do.”
.
 |
| Panelist Dean P. Baquet, managing editor of The Los Angeles Times, rests his foot during the ASNE program, "Editors Share Perspectives on Overcoming Barriers." (AMY LEANG/ASNE REPORTER) |
Rick Rodriguez, executive editor of The Sacramento Bee: “They (conventions) recharge your battery. You come away hopeful to keep fighting the good fight.”
Susan Bischoff, deputy managing editor, the Houston Chronicle: “This year, there is more foundation money for ASNE for diversity. There is (an) opportunity to get the best and brightest in the newsroom and to aid in retention.”
Lorraine E. Branham, assistant to the publisher, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: “Conventions are always an opportunity to re-embrace the reasons I got into journalism. Just being able to talk about our ideas and our frustration. It’s a real delight. One of the highlights is the women’s group. I’ve seen the small group grow to a large group of women. The other side for me is seeing few people of color here. It’s one of my continuing frustrations in this industry. When you have people of color as editors, they will aid in retention.”
