WASHINGTON NEWSCOUNCIL ARCHIVES 1999




 WNC's First Gridiron West Dinner a Huge Success!
More than 350 people packed the ballroom of the Seattle Hilton Hotel on Friday, Nov. 12, for a fun-filled evening that included comedy, songs, proclamations, "toasts" and a fund-raising auction.

The event was filmed and broadcast statewide by TVW. (A videotape is available; please call us for details.)

We honored four veteran political journalists: Dick Larsen, Adele Ferguson, Mike Layton, and Shelby Scates.

The politicians who "toasted" the journalists were Sen. Slade Gorton, Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. Jennifer Dunn, and former State Senate Leader Gordon Walgren (substituting for Rep. Norm Dicks, who was unable to attend).Master of Ceremonies David Silverman, pianist John Engerman, and News Council Member Eddie Reed (vocals) kept the crowd entertained with music and song parodies set to the music of "West Side Story."

Official proclamations from Gov. Gary Locke and Mayor Paul Schell were read by their press secretaries. Metropolitan King County Executive Ron Sims presented a proclamation to the four honored journalists.

WNC President Roz Woodhouse and Vice President Herb Robinson announced the creation of the Dick Larsen Scholarship, which will be awarded for the first time next year. An original drawing by David Horsey, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, was auctioned off at the dinner to raise money for the Scholarship Fund. It was purchased by Kemper Freeman Jr., owner of Bellevue Square, who immediately presented the drawing to Dick Larsen. The dinner and auction together raised more than $6,500 for the Scholarship Fund, which will be administered by The Seattle Foundation.

Corporate table purchasers at the dinner were: Alaska Airlines, Baldwin Resource Group, The Boeing Company, Eastside Journal, The Gallatin Group, Microsoft, MSNBC, PEMCO Financial Services, Puget Sound Energy, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Sound Capital Partners, State Farm Insurance, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, and Weyerhaeuser.

Although this event was an experiment for the News Council, it has been winning rave reviews and many people are urging us to make it an annual event. QUESTION: If we do it again, who should we "toast" next year? Please send us your suggestions.
Gates Foundation Awards 3-Year Grant to WNC

The Washington News Council has received a $225,000 grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"This generous grant gives the Council great credibility and financial stability," said Council President R.Y. Woodhouse, former head of the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle.

"It sends a message to the media and public statewide that the Council is here for the long term," added Vice President Herb Robinson, former Seattle Times editorial-page editor.

The News Council (www.wanewscouncil.org) is an independent forum for media fairness. Its mission is to help maintain public trust and confidence in the print, broadcast and online news media by promoting accuracy, balance and fairness.

The Gates Foundation grant will be given over a three-year period, while the Council continues to diversify its funding and expand its activities statewide.

The News Council also recently received a $5,000 grant from the Medina Foundation, to be used for the purchase of new computers and other office equipment.

In another significant development, Seattle Mayor Paul Schell and King County Executive Ron Sims signed a letter expressing their "strong personal endorsements" of the Washington News Council. On a recent trip to Minnesota, Schell and Sims learned first-hand about the Minnesota News Council, which they described as "greatly beneficial to both citizens and journalists." Schell and Sims concluded: "We believe that the Washington News Council can have similar benefits in this state."

The News Council's plans for the next few months include:
-- a series of mock student news council hearings on college campuses statewide;
-- more public forums on important media-related issues;
-- a "Gridiron-style" dinner to pay tribute to journalists and politicians.

 WNC Holds Public Forum During Unity '99

The Washington News Council's Public Forum July 8 on "Increasing Minority Access to the New Media" received national coverage on The Freedom Forum's website. Click HERE to read the story. The Forum was a fascinating discussion of an important topic for today's media. Held during the Unity '99 national convention of minority journalists in Seattle, this Forum focused on how to increase access to new electronic media among minority groups. Our panelists were:
- Adam Clayton Powell III, Vice President, Technology and Programs, The Freedom Forum, Arlington, VA
- Nathaniel Sheppard Jr., Interactivity Editor, Chicago Tribune Interactive
- Ti Locke, Learning Services Specialist, KCTS-9 Television
- Trish Millines Dziko, Executive Director, Technology Access Foundation
- Kevin Kawamoto, Assistant Professor, University of Washington School of Communications
Moderator was John Hamer, Executive Director of the News Council. The Forum was broadcast statewide by TVW and is still available for viewing or listening.

Statewide Magazine Focuses on Council
Washington Law & Politics magazine featured a story on the News Council in its June-July 1999 issue. "Judging Journalists," by freelancer Beth Taylor, is a readable and well-balanced story. They don't have a website, but call us and we'll fax you a copy.

Al Neuharth of USA Today Endorses WNC

Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum, endorsed the concept of the Washington News Council at a CityClub lunch in Seattle on May 27. Neuharth said he "applauded" what we're doing with the Washington News Council and wished us "success." He noted that some journalists oppose news councils. But he said news councils are beneficial and can help the profession of journalism. Here's part of what Neuharth said: "I applaud you and your associates for what you're doing -- or trying to do -- with the Washington News Council. That has worked as you know in some locations. Worked pretty well in Minnesota. Didn't work with the National News Council. I hope it works here. I know a good many journalists in major metropolitan thought centers along the East Coast who don't think it will, who are cynical about it. I hope they're wrong and I hope you're right."

WNC, MNC Make Joint Presentation in Minneapolis

During the Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce's Intercity Visit to Minneapolis (May 19-22), John Hamer and Gary Gilson, Executive Director of the Minnesota News Council, gave a joint presentation on news councils to more than 50 Seattle-area business, government and civic leaders. It was very well received. Gary described how successful the Minnesota Council has been over the past 30 years, and how it is widely supported by corporations, foundations, and the media. John outlined the current progress of the Washington News Council and how fast our support is growing. The delegation was led by Mayor Paul Schell, King County Executive Ron Sims, and Chamber President Richard Sonstelie of Puget Sound Energy.

WNC Holds First Public Forum After Columbine

The Washington News Council's Public Forum on "The News Media and School Violence," held May 13 at Town Hall Seattle, was a great success. Our audience included students, teachers, journalists, and law-enforcement officials. The discussion was enlightening and constructive.  Our panel included:

- Ken Bunting, Managing Editor, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Clark Kimerer, Chief of Staff, Seattle Police Department
- Craig Marrs, President and General Manager, NorthWest CableNEWS.
- Kay McFadden, Television Critic, The Seattle Times
- Rhonda McKim, Chairperson, Every Teen Counts, Washington State PTA
- Joseph Olchefske, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent
- John Ross, Division Director, federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Moderator was John Hamer, Executive Director of the News Council.

Puget Sound Business Journal Writes About WNC

The Puget Sound Business Journal featured a major story on the Washington News Council in its April 16-22 issue. It also ran a sidebar story on the Minnesota News Council. Call us at 206-923-2955 and we'll fax you a copy. Or read story one or story two online.

WNC Officially Opens for Business

The Washington News Council is officially open for business. The Council elected officers and adopted complaint and hearing procedures at its annual meeting Feb. 13.
Officers are: President -- R.Y. Woodhouse; Vice President -- Herb Robinson; Treasurer -- Walt Howe; Secretary -- Robert T. Nelson. The Council's Non-Voting Chair is Robert Utter. Executive Director is John Hamer.

Other 1999 Activities

At its April 10 meeting, the Council held a mock hearing based on a case involving a complaint against a weekly newspaper. Chair Robert Utter presided over this educational experience. The Council is now fully
prepared to handle an actual complaint.

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer (April 12) and The Seattle Times (April 5) ran items in their Business sections on the Council's election of officers.

John Hamer spoke to the Society of Professional Journalists at their annual regional convention in Bend, Oregon, on March 27. He was on a panel with Hasso Hering, editor of the Albany Democrat-Herald. It was
moderated by Arnold Ismach, former dean of the School of Journalism at the University of Oregon, who is working to organize an Oregon News Council. The Oregon chapter of SPJ has endorsed the Washington News Council.

Hamer also spoke to SPJ gatherings at the University of Washington School of Communications (Feb. 18) and at the Spokane Spokesman-Review office (Jan. 29).

CityClub's Jan. 28 Box Lunch Forum on the News Council drew about 50 people, including Council members Roz Woodhouse, Herb Robinson, Larry Cali, Chuck Dunsire, and Founding Board member Stan McNaughton. John Hamer and Mike Fancher, executive editor of The Seattle Times, appeared on a panel. The event was filmed by TVW and broadcast statewide. A videotape is available.

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