[Journalists] fun get together

[Elizabeth Campbell]

Hello Corbb,

I think you asked an excellent question.

I hope my answer isn't too confusing.

Since I work on our city desk which is the heart of hard news coverage at 
the newspaper, I really can't engage in advocacy in terms of talking to 
senators or congressmen about legislative initiatives of the Federation.
We have to sign an ethics code stating that we will not engage in politicl 
campaigns, lobbying and so forth.

I know we don't view the Washington Seminar or  legislative efforts on the 
state level as lobbying, but as a reporter, I have to observe from the 
sidelines, so to speak.

When it comes to advocating for blind people who are not getting the 
services we need here in Fort Worth, I do what I can to help. However, if it 
involves talking to agency directors and so forth, I would contact our state 
president or someone from the NFB that doesn't have ties to the news 
business.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

Liz.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Corbbmacc O'Connor" <corbbo at gmail.com>
To: "Blind Professional Journalists List" <journalists at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2010 11:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Journalists] fun get together


>I have a question for you folks that I didn't get a chance to ask at 
>dinner.
>
> How do you balance your NFB involvement (e.g. advocacy) with your role
> as an independent, objective journalist?
>
> -Corbb
>
> On Sun, Jul 11, 2010 at 10:12 PM, Elizabeth Campbell
> <batescampbell at charter.net> wrote:
>> Hello everyone,
>>
>> Thanks for a great time at the dinner during convention last week.
>>
>> It was great meeting everyone and to see people who truly take our 
>> profession seriously.
>>
>> I'll do my best to make it to Orlando next year, and it would be great to 
>> plan another get together during the convention.
>>
>> Everyone felt like having a relaxed dinner was more useful than a formal 
>> meeting for now.
>>
>> We also discussed putting an announcement in the Braille Monitor and in 
>> the agenda to let people know that a dinner will be scheduled.
>>
>> Also, as one of the list moderators, I'd love to generate some 
>> discussions on what projects everyone is working on such as Ben's 
>> cross-country travels and involvement in immigration issues in Arizona.
>>
>> Corbb, it would be great to learn more about your freelance work with 
>> NPR, as I didn't get a chance to ask you about that during convention.
>>
>> I think these are great ways to learn from one another, especially during 
>> these tough economic times. It's important to be resourceful and 
>> creative.
>>
>> I will start by telling you what we are focusing on right now in 
>> government affairs.
>> Cities and school districts have to make deep budget cuts. Difficult 
>> decisions must be made about what services to eliminate and so forth.
>> However, some cities are finding creative ways of bringing in more money 
>> such as selling adds on buses and so forth.
>> I also continue to monitor a city that is trying to get a flood control 
>> plan in place, as houses have been washed away and others badly damaged.
>>
>> So, as you can tell, there is a lot going on out there.
>>
>> Take care all,and I look forward to hearing from folks.
>>
>> sincerely,
>>
>>
>>
>> Liz Campbell
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>
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