Information Centers & Special Interest Groups
Center for Investigative Reporting
500 Howard St., Suite 206, San Francisco, CA 94105-3000. A non-profit, tax-exempt organization founded by a group of journalists in 1977 to provide a base for in-depth reporting on individuals, government agencies and corporations. Besides producing stories for print, radio and television media, staff writers conduct workshops and seminars and instruct interns in the techniques of investigative journalism. The staff also consults with public-interest organizations, community groups, media outlets, U.S. and foreign government officials, United Nations personnel and others concerned with issues raised by CIR investigations. CIR articles have helped spark Congressional hearings and legislation, U.N. resolutions, public-interest lawsuits, and changes in the activities of multinational corporations, regulatory agencies and public figures. Videotapes of CIR television documentaries are available in VHS format. CIR also has many publications on various investigative reporting topics available for purchase. For ordering information, write: CIR Publications and Videos, 500 Howard Street, Suite 206, San Francisco, CA 94105-3000, or call (800) 733-0015.
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Committee to Protect Journalists
330 Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001. Tel.: (212) 465-1004. FAX: (212) 465-9568. Email: info@cpj.org. URL: www.cpj.org. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is an independent, nonprofit organization the works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. It was founded in 1981 by journalists in the United States determined to help obtain greater press freedom for colleagues abroad who were threatened by authoritarian governments and other enemies of independent journalism. Since CPJ's establishment it has responded to thousands of press freedom abuses and grown into an institution of vital importance to journalists and news organizations worldwide. CPJ is the only U.S. organization with a full-time staff devoted solely to this important work. It is funded entirely by donations from journalists, news organizations and foundations.
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Council for the Advancement of Science Writing
PO Box 294, Greenlawn, NY 11740. Tel: (516) 757-5664. A non-profit educational corporation dedicated to increasing public understanding of science by means of improving the quality of science and medical reporting, and of bettering relationships between the media and the scientific community. Operated by a board of directors of 30 distinguished scientists, journalists and public figures. Programs include seminars, training programs, fellowships, and the publication, A Guide to Careers in Science Writing. Each year, CASW awards Nate Haseltine Fellowships up to $2,000 each to graduate students studying science writing, or to journalists who wish to return to school to pursue this specialty. Training offered to employed journalists who wish to train on-the-job to specialize in science writing. Continuing education seminars offered to experienced science writers who wish to increase their skills. Executive Administrative Secretary: Diane McGurgan.
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Foundation for American Communications (FACS)
85 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena, California 91105. Tel.: (626) 584-0010; FAX: (626) 584-0627. Email: facs@facsnet.org. URL: http://www.facsnet.org. The Foundation for American Communications is an independent, nonprofit, non-political education institution. FACS journalism programs are funded solely by news and philanthropic organizations. Since 1979, 10,000 journalists have participated in more than 200 FACS mid-career conferences.
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Freedom of Information Center
127 Neff Annex, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211. Tel: (314) 882-4856. The Freedom of Information Center at the University of Missouri maintains files which document actions by government, media and society affecting the movement and content of information. Founded in 1958, and dedicated to the people's right to know, this special library provides reference and referral services.
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International Center for Journalists
1616 H. Street, NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006. Tel.: (202) 737-3700; Fax: (202) 737-0530; Email: editor@cfj.org. The International Center for Journalists is a private, independent non-profit institution founded in 1984 to share professional know-how and information with journalists and news organizations around the world. ICFJ provides journalism training and educational programs, consulting services, exchanges, and practical professional research. The Center offers the many foreign journalists who visit the U.S. each year a central institution that can provide orientations on the practices and policies of the American media. The duration of a program can be from half a day to six weeks. In addition, the Center operates the ICFJ Clearinghouse on the Central and East European Press and administers the Knight International Press Fellowship Program. ICFJ is not a funding organization nor does it serve as a base for news coverage of the United States. It receives its funding from donations from the media industry, grants from private and public agencies and foundations, and from contracts for its services. The Center does not have a set course curriculum, but designs programs around particular needs, requests and journalists. President: William Siemering. Executive Director: Whayne Dillehay.
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The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1815 N. ft. Myer Dr., Suite 900, Arlington VA 22209. Tel.: (703) 807-2100 or (800) 336-4243 (F-FOI-AID); FAX: (703) 807-2109. A voluntary, unincorporated association of news reporters and editors dedicated to protecting the First Amendment interests of the news media. Established in 1970, the Reporters Committee provides cost-free legal defense and research assistance to members of the working press, media lawyers, and scholars. Publications include The NEWS Media & The LAW (quarterly magazine), News Media Update (bi-weekly newsletter), How to Use the Federal FOI Act (guidebook) and First Amendment Handbook (guidebook). Executive Director: Lucy A. Dalglish, Esq.
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Society of Environmental Journalists
321 Old York Rd., Suite 200, Jenkintown, PA 19046 Tel.: (215) 884-8174; Email: sej@sej.org. Website: www.sej.org. Foundation in 1990 by a small group of award winning reporters, the Society of Enviromental Journalists (SEJ) is a not-for-profit educational organization dedicated to improving the quality, accuracy and visibility of environmental reporting. SEJ works through a variety of programs and services to encourage information sharing and discussion among journalists, scientists, educators, government officials, industry representatives, environmental advocacy groups, and concerened citizens regarding important environmental issues. SEJ's membership of over 1,100 includes journalists working for newspapers, television and radio stations, broadcast and cable networks, magazines, newsletters, wire services, online publications, and photo agencies, as well as educators and students. Non-members are welcome to attend SEJÕs national conferences and to subscribe to our quarterly publication, the SEJournal.
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Student Press Law Center
1815 N. Fort Myer Dr., Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22209-1817. Tel: (703) 807-1904. Executive Director: Mark Goodman. For detailed information, please see listing under "Collegiate and Scholastic Services."
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Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press (WIFP)
1940 Calvert Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009-1502. Tel: (202) 265-6707; FAX: (202) 986-6355; website: www.wifp.org. Independent, non-profit, tax-exempt research/publishing organization in the field of communications since 1972, publishing teaching materials for journalism communication courses, faculty and student research, libraries and special projects, to meet the rising enrollments of women. Publication: Syllabus Sourcebook on Media and Women, a compilation of 68 course outlines, reading lists and other teaching resources ($5.50). Director: Martha Leslie Allen.
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