UMass Senior Lecturer/Sports Journalism Concentration. No Cheering in the Press Box! I believe in free speech, but not in trolls. Springsteen fan for life.
The insightful comments from
@jemelehill
are as relevant to the UNC/
@nhannahjones
debacle as to the ESPN situation. Journalism academia and journalism organizations need to get real about the structural racism that has gone unchecked for way too long.
“It shouldn’t have taken a George Floyd for ESPN to allow commentators to discuss racism in this country…now they have a massive problem on their hand because they have been exposed.” --
@jemelehill
The full nuanced conversation is available here:
A reminder for student journos: If you're in public covering protests, you have the RIGHT to photograph and record, even if people don't want you to. Your job is to document and record. If protestors don't what to be photographed, they shouldn't be protesting in public spaces.
We're just about to start the
@UMassAmherst
Special Faculty Senate Meeting to address the campus protests on May 7. I'm hoping to live tweet as much as I can. Chancellor Reyes is here along with about a half dozen administrators and media relations folks. (Thread.)
Happy to have received my first Covid shot today on campus of
@UMassAmherst
. I applaud all the folks working there to help make things run smoothly. Everyone had a smile on their face (including those getting the shots.) Well-done, UMass.
I forgot this happened last night, but after Carvel finished his postgame presser, he made sure to come over and shake mine,
@_RyanAmes
&
@_LiamFlaherty
’s hands before he left. Can’t imagine the next time that’ll happen to me, but he’s always made sure to show us his appreciation
Strong column here from
@froomkin
. The old model of political reporting is broken. Stopping horse-race coverage and an over-reliance on polling to guide coverage are two simple solutions that can happen tomorrow.
I had my final
@UMassJournalism
News Literacy class today and turned loose the latest evangelists against disinformation campaigns. I told them they will be busy between now and November 2024 but to not shy away from engaging with others. They're ready!
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
For years, students in my
#umasssportsjournalism
class have been preaching a love of college hockey. I'll admit that I got on board thanks to the hockey love shown by
@UMassJournalism
alum
@MollieeWalkerr
. Tonight is exciting, even for this hoops fanatic turned hockey fan.
Some personal news: This is my last week at the
@DailyHampGaz
. After 18-plus wonderful years, including the last 10 as Sports Editor, I have decided to make a change and voluntarily took a buyout. Like all papers and businesses, the Gazette has been hurt by the pandemic. ...
The quartet from
@MDCollegian
had a looong day into night into morning yesterday at
#FrozenFour
in Buffalo.Yet after
@UMassHockey
's 4-3 OT win last night, these students filed stories to the Collegian's web site at somewhere around 2 a.m. (THREAD)
Please do not speculate or pass along rumors about the condition of Tiger Woods after his car accident. Remember, it's better to be second and right than first and wrong.
Just received an email from
@UMassJournalism
alum saying SHE just received a job offer from a prestigious news outlet. The kicker: Her offer is almost $10K more than her MALE predecessor. Happy Holidays Indeed!
@UMassAmherst
The turnaround time on producing a series like this is stunning if you consider that these student journos are sequestered, reporting remotely and juggling their own course loads. Nice job,
@MDCollegian
on reporting this story.
@UMassJournalism
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
This story, along with two parts to be released in the coming days, tells the story of what went wrong at UMass.
Part I explores the on-campus living situation in which the virus spread.
By
@will_katcher
@SShlepakov
@cassiemcgrath_
We’re celebrating our seniors in style 😎
✅Pregame DJ
✅Concessions Specials
✅We’re giving away a PS5, AirPod Max, and FOUR Stanley Cups to lucky students who attend!
This Saturday. 4PM. One last go at home for
@32_samb
and
@DestineyPhiloxy
.
Students — Be there.
#Flagship
🚩
@UMassAmherst
A second glare from Reyes after chuckles from the audience when he said his obligation is to the safety of "everyone" on campus. It would appear the chancellor does not like voices of dissent.
Sitting in my office prepping for the start of
@umassjournalism
classes tomorrow as the
@UMassAmherst
band practices outside makes me almost feel normal. Whatever normal is these days.
A couple of thoughts for
@UMassJournalism
students given the latest news about moving classes online: No. 1 Rule of Fight Club: Don't Freak out. Seriously, we'll get through this. If you have hardships or concerns, let your profs know. We can help.
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
I'm currently at the Emergency Meeting of the General Faculty Senate
@UMassAmherst
. The agenda: Consideration of a no confidence vote on Chancellor Reyes as a result of the administration's actions on May 7. You can follow this thread for updates. (THREAD)
As my old boss used to say: "It's better to be second and right than first and wrong." Important today and every day to remember this in the crazy information environment we live in.
@UMassJournalism
#umasssportsjournalism
@UMassAmherst
Anthony Bourdain said: “Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. (Thread)
A thought for
@UMassJournalism
students: Take care of yourselves, your friends and students of color. Last week was a tough news week. This week has the potential to be more difficult. Reach out and support one another. And, it's Ok to take a break from the news.
@SBS_UMass
I teach a News Literacy class and watching this disinformation campaign live and on CNN is one of the most exasperating and disappointing events I've ever witnessed.
And, we're back! Welcome back
@UMassJournalism
students! Just met with this year's batch of
#umasssportsjournalism
students and we're off and running! With masks on, of course.
A look into what your contributions can do for the Collegian 🗞️
Help contribute to the MDC Fall '23 MinuteFund Campaign, only 14 days left! Visit the link in our bio to donate.
D.Trump election has led to numerous attacks on the media. Tweeted accusations & assaults seem to have opened a Pandora’s box & other leaders are slipping into the breach : what if these events only reinforce journalism training?
👉July 11 at
#WJECParis
!
@UMassAmherst
Says the response to campus protests was not about free speech but about campus safety. That comment draws chuckles from the audience and a glare from Reyes.
First intermission at
@UMass_W_Hockey
vs Utah. It’s the first ever women’s club hockey broadcast on 91.1
@WMUAsports
. UMass leads 1-0 after 20 minutes.
Listen in with the link below!
I remember the morning after the 2016 election when a good number of my students were in shock.
@profpasha
and I combined our classes and just decided to have a chat with students. Today feels like one of those days.
Who has the cutest dog in the
@UMassJournalism
department? Today, John Ciampa and I featured our dogs on the faculty Zoom meeting. Personally, I vote for Dolly, but feel free to enter the competition:
A timely re-air for
#TWSS
this week, as former ESPN colleague
@MsPotts_ATL
shares her harrowing story of sexual assault & escape in Italy, and her role educating media in how their language & coverage impacts how stories are received by the public.
Today was my last day with the latest batch of
#umasssportsjournalism
students. Another strong group of journos who if nothing else will remember that Twitter can be a great reporting tool....and a place filled with trolls. Have a good summer!
@UMassJournalism
One last comment before shutting off for the night: An addition to the Long List of Phrases White People Should Never Say: "I'm the least racist person...."
If you’re thinking of making jokes, giving your opinion or passing along unverified information about the nuclear situation in Ukraine, don’t. You will look like an idiot. Thank you for joining my TED Talk.
Had a pretty cool Zoom moment this morning when students in my sports journalism class asked how I was doing. This is why
@UMassJournalism
Rocks! Watch out for each other. Take care of each other.
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
One of my favorite moments this winter was
@UMassJournalism
alum
@AnnaMeiler
's "snowplow driver" story. Anna was kind enough to spend time with my Newswriting class this week to talk about that story and many others.
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
Multiple breaking news events today with helicopter crash in Manhattan and the aftermath of the David Ortiz shooting. A friendly reminder to all: Slow down. Being second and right is ALWAYS better than being first and wrong. Share With Care!
No. 3. Stay healthy: All you have is your health. Stay well-rested. Eat well. Drink FLUIDS (as in water, gatorade.) And, exercise. Stress isn't good. We'll get through this together. Feel free to message me if you need anything.
@UMassJournalism
@SBS_UMass
@UMassAmherst
I tell students starting new jobs to do two things: Become friends with the admin and the IT Support people. They can make your life easy or a living hell. Profs across the country are now going to find out whether the IT Support folks like them....or not.
It's amazing how
@UMassJournalism
alums continue kicking ass and taking numbers. Christina Gregg (Class of 2014) is now interning with the Mass. Supreme Judicial Court. Go Chris!
@UMassAmherst
Today seems as good a time as any to remind the
@UMassAmherst
community that there is a News Literacy course taught out of the
@UMassJournalism
department. It's JOURNAL 250 on your scorecards and there are currently seven open seats. Sign up today!
@SBS_UMass
As many who follow me know, I have zero tolerance for media-bashing. If you have a legit critique of coverage of a story, I'm more than willing to chat. But any sentence that begins with media-bashing, we're going to have problems. (Thread)
No. 2: As journalism students, you're entering a profession where curveballs will come at your regularly (Note: Sports metaphors are standard issue during times of crisis.) There will be curveballs over the next month. Be flexible. Roll with the punches.
@UMassJournalism
Friday was the last day of
@UMassJournalism
’s annual
@UMassSummer
Sports Broadcasting Camp. This year’s cohort (23) was the largest ever. Here are a few scenes from the week:
And student protestors were up and out of their seats chanting at the end. Faculty and administrators walked out and were immediately greeted by about 50 protestors, including one protestor in a small pup tent.
Calling riot cops onto college campuses, dragging away peaceful protesters and slamming profs to the pavement is NOT NORMAL
The time to condemn these practices is now, before we're numb to a U.S. police state and the death of free speech
Gift link ⬇️
UMass Football is 1-5 after a 52-28 loss. Going into this season, fans seemed to have a real sense of hope for this team - more than there has been in years. UMass Twitter was filled with fans counting wins and hoping for a Bowl appearance. Where does this program go from here?
I'm back home after a strong
#AEJMC23
where I learned a lot -- from AI to NIL, I will be applying much of what I learned in the upcoming semester. One note of concern: Wednesday's "Beyond Objectivity" panel was a return to the "Manel" (all-male panel.) Let's do better.