THE BROADSHEETThe newsletter of New Mexico Press Women

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A Message from the PresidentB Y S H E R R I B U R R

At a time when newspapers are adjusting to a combination of economic forces caused bythe rise of the Internet and the purchase of newspapers by big conglomerates, Karen Moses,the Editor of the Albuquerque Journal, spoke to the Albuquerque Bar Association. On Feb. 13,Moses noted that the Denver Post, purchased by a conglomerate a few years ago, was downto 50 employees, while the Albuquerque Journal, which remains locally owned, still has 80individuals in its newsroom. Asked directly whether the Albuquerque Journal would ever consider abandoning its printedition, Moses responded that the Journal does face economic challenges, even though it isbeing read more today than ever before — with a million visitors to its free website eachmonth. The cost of newsprint has risen, for example. She also said the Journal endeavors to

(See PRESIDENT, Page 3)

J O U R N A L I S M U N D E RF I R E C O N F E R E N C E - 2 A B R E A T H O F F R E S HN E W S - 3 M E M B E R N E W S - 4 C H A P T E R N E W S - 5 E V E N T S A N DC O N T E S T S - 6

M o r e g r e a t r e a d si n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Journalism Under Fire Conference Offered Provocative ConcernsB Y K A R E N W E N T W O R T H

The 2019 Journalism Under Fire conference puttogether by the Santa Fe Council on InternationalRelations in December offered a very dark glimpse intoa future where even the evidence before your eyes can’tbe completely trusted. It hinges on how we getinformation. The conference’s opening speakers were Dana Priestand Ivan Kolpakov who held a fascinating, yetdepressing, conversation about the state of the media inRussia. Kolpakov and his associates publish theirRussian Free Press from Lativa exposing the lies, fakenews and misinformation in the Russian government-controlled media. Another interesting speaker was Braden Allenby whotalked with Trip Jennings about the social-media-fueledweaponized narrative. Another group of journalists, Suzanne Kelly, EmileNakhleh, Hannah Allam talked with Dave Marash aboutdistortions in the fake news and state-run media thathave changed the political dynamics across the world.

Malachy Browne, a senior producer with the New YorkTimes specializes in visual investigations. He led a panelthrough the intricacies of digital forensics and how hegoes about the process of determining whether theinformation he is receiving is accurate. For example, on April 6 and 7, 2018 there was a bombingof streets in a city in Syria. There was great confusionabout who was responsible for the attack and why itoccurred. Over the next few hours, his team at the NewYork Times got satellite photos of a hospital and streetsaround it. They worked with a former architect of thehospital to understand that there weretunnels beneath the hospital and that the attack waseffective in flushing people hiding in the tunnels outinto the open where they were hit by a secondwave of bombs that contained chemical weapons. Some members of the Russian media were allowed onthe roof of the hospital, where they took photos of thecasualties on the ground. The Times got copies of theirphotographs. Some of the shots showed pieces of thebomb casings. They verified the types of weaponswith an expert. They pieced together a timeline usingvarious video camera feeds from around the site.  TheTimes got access to real time radio traffic in the areaand pinpointed Russian pilots discussing the missionand their success.

(See JOURNALISM UNDER FIRE, Page 3)

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"Journalism makes youthink fast. You have tospeak to people in all

walks of life. Especiallylocal journalism." — Terry Pratchett

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PresidentContinued from Page 1

limit its personnel to 40 hours per week to save overtimecosts, but that can be difficult in a 24/7 news cycle.Some of her journalists are night owls who sleep near apolice scanner. They sometimes jump out of the bed inthe middle of the night to cover breaking news. When she asked the lawyers in the room how manysubscribe to the Albuquerque Journal, a little more thanhalf of the attendees raised their hands. Mosesapplauded the subscribers and said we were keeping thepresses running. The days of advertising payingcompletely for a news operation are over. Wherever youlive throughout New Mexico, please consider subscribingto a newspaper. The New Mexican, printed in Santa Fe, isalso locally owned.

Then they were able to go to print with an incompletereconstruction of events, which you can read here.

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Journalism Under FireContinued from Page 2

Browne used that as an example of the kind of forensicreporting using databases and satellite feeds the Timesweave together to try to get the story right. Hispresentation was followed by Alexa Koenig, the ExecutiveDirector of the Human Rights Center and a lecturer atthe UC Berkeley School of Law. She spoke about the needto protect investigative reporters, especially reportersworking on stories about human rights abuses. Then a panel discussed the problem of understandingand unraveling the truth when anything can be faked.Objects can be removed fromphotos; the weather can be changed. Facial expressionscan be altered, along with the words people say in videorecordings. So how do you ever believe anything you see? Koenig says her university is beginning to consider theneed for information repositories – someplace where the“truth” about events can be stored as a safeguard againstthe distortions that will come. It was a brief mind-bending look at the multi-layered problems facingjournalists in the future. Carolyn Carlson also contributed to this report.

NMPW NewsNew Mexico Press Women proudly co-hosted theNew Mexico Book Association’s Winter Fiesta, whichtook place from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, at theBourbon Grill restaurant in Santa Fe. The menu included “heavy hors d’oeuvres” with gluten-free and vegetarian choices, dessert, coffee, and icedtea.  The NMBA's annual Richard Harris Award waspresented to Ladies of the Canyons by Lesley Poling-Kempes.

The NMPW Nominating Committee would like topresent the following slate to be considered forelection at the upcoming 2020 NMPW conference (onMarch 21, 2020): Sherri Burr, presidentDamien Willis, vice presidentLoretta Hall, treasurer

In today’s world of both inadvertent and deliberatesharing of “fake news” and “alternative facts,” ourcountry needs news-literate citizens who can makeinformed decisions. Not only when voting, but whendiscussing issues or sharing posts on social media. That’s why National News Literacy Week is important.This year’s dates were January 27-31. Visithttps://newslit.org/news-literacy-week to learnmore about the event and how you can help— any time. It may be too late to plan an event for this year’sobservance, but start thinking ahead to National NewsLiteracy Week 2021!

A Breath of Fresh News

“There can be no higherlaw in journalism thanto tell the truth and to

shame the devil.”

— Walter Lippmann

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Member NewsGary Ted and Elaine Carson Montague received thesilver James McGrath Morris Award for Published Non-Fiction in A Celebration of Writing by the AlbuquerqueMuseum Foundation. They also were finalists inBiography in the NM/AZ Book Awards, conducted bythe NM Book Co-op. Their book is “Victory from the Shadows: Growing upin a New Mexico School for the Blind and Beyond.”Gary was a residential student at the Alamogordoschool from 1944-55 and retired from Sandia Labs.Both authors are educators and graduates of UNM.They want their book to raise expectations about thecapabilities of those with vision loss and erasemisconceptions. Anne Hillerman says Gary’s is a storyof strength, resilience, and optimism.

Gary Ted and Elaine Carson Montague

The Las Cruces RailroadMuseum hosted a freeBrown Bag Lecture Jan. 14which featured LasCruces author andNMPW member BudRusso. Russo presented“Six Degrees ofSeparation, New MexicoStyle.” Six degrees of separationis a theory set forth in1929 that everyone on

Earth is acquainted with everyone else within sixrelationships. In the early days of New Mexico’sstatehood, this seemed to be true. Many of the then120,000 inhabitants of the New Mexico Territory kneweach other, despite the vast geographic distances.

Carolyn Mullenax Edwards has requested that we shareher new mailing address in Amarillo with our members,adding that she would like to keep in touch with all ofher NMPW friends. Carolyn Mullenax EdwardsThe Clairmont, Apt. One4707 Bell StreetAmarillo, Texas 79109

Karen Jones Meadows performed her award-winning solo show, “Harriet Returns,” Feb. 1 atAlbuquerque's historic Kimo Theater. This31-character journey chronicles the life andafterlife of Harriet Tubman.

NMPW Vice-President Damien Willis earned theUSA TODAY Network's third-quarter journalismaward, which is given out among Gannett's 100+properties. The Las Cruces Sun-News competesin Division III, and the Las Cruces Sun-Newsteam won in the "Wild Card" category for theircoverage of the Trump rally in Rio Rancho.Damien's "Five Takeaways" story was singled outby the judges ("clear focus on the needs of theaudience").

Willis also earned a fourth-quarter journalismaward, First Place for Best Digital Reporting. Thiswas for a series of charts breaking down theprocess and results of the city's mayoral race,which used a ranked-choice voting system forthe first time.

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Chapter News

Continued from Page 4 New Mexico Press Women congratulates its memberson their recent successes. The following NMPWmembers won New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards:Sharon Niederman, Best in the Show and Best TravelBook, for "Explorer's Guide New Mexico"; NasarioGarcia, Fiction Other/NM, for "No More Bingo,Comadre!"; Nasario Garcia, Cover Design-Fiction, for"Grandma Lale's Magical Adobe Oven;" Mary Oertel-Kirschner, Fiction-Cozy Mystery, for "Death of theHead"; and Jasmine Tritten & Jim Tritten, YoungReaders, for "Kato's Grand Adventure." Additionally, in the Albuquerque Museum Celebrationof Writers Contests, the Anne Hillerman Bronze Awardfor Unpublished Non-Fiction went to "Linked With theDevil," by Diane Joy Schmidt.

Las Cruces Press Women would like tocongratulate their 2019 Ruth Sneed Scholarshipwinner, Ch'Ree Essary, who will graduate thisyear from NMSU -- and already has a great joblined up! "Ended 2019 on a major high note," Essaryposted on LinkedIn. "I am so excited toannounce I have accepted a job offer with theGeorgia Cattlemen’s Association as acommunications specialist. I have a hugepassion for agriculture and the beef cattleindustry and am so blessed to be starting a jobwhere I can use my talents as a communicatorto serve the cattle ranchers of Georgia! I will beworking part-time, remotely for the GCA until Igraduate in May."

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Member News

Las Cruces Press Women hosted a reading by AnneHillerman on Nov. 23, 2019, in Las Cruces. Attendeessaid Hillerman did not disappoint. Hillerman shared funfacts about her new book, "The Tale Teller," andbeautiful photos of where the action took place. Theevent was free, though Hillerman requested thataudience members consider a gift to a scholarship inthe New Mexico State University Military and VeteransProgram to honor her father's service in WWII.Hillerman chose the Josh Dunne Memorial Scholarshipin honor of Tony Hillerman's service, and in honor of allservice members, especially those who suffer fromPTSD.

On the evening of Dec. 13, LCPW gathered at D.H.Lescombes Winery & Bistro for a no-host holidaygathering. About 15 past, current and future membersshowed up to share a nice dinner and holiday bookexchange. A good time was had by all, and everyonewent home with something new to read over theholiday.

Ch'ree Essary, 2019 recipient of the LCPW Doris Gregory Scholarship Award.

"A free press can be good orbad, but, most certainly,

without freedom a press willnever be anything but bad."

Albert Camus

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Chapter NewsContinued from Page 5

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Albuquerque Press Women and Friends hostedjournalist Steve Terrell, who spoke Jan. 13 at Mimi'sRestaurant. Terrell has just retired from forty years ofreporting in Santa Fe, most of it at the Santa Fe NewMexican. He now is proud to call himself "a full-fledgedRock ‘n’ Roll retiree." During his long career, Terrell covered Santa Fe CityHall and the New Mexico Legislature, along with thelocal music scene. In a farewell interview with the NewMexican, he said, “I loved getting involved in thestories. I loved covering City Hall, the crime beat, thepolitical beat. I like seeing the sausage get made.” Though retired, he still handles his Sundaynight radio show on KSFR “Terrell’s Sound World,” andhosts a monthly podcast called “The Big Enchilada.”

Folklorist and nativeNew Mexican NasarioGarcía sharedwonderful stories abouthis childhood Christmases in Ojo delPadre, New Mexico, atthe Northern NewMexico Press Women'sannual Holiday BrunchSaturday, Dec. 14, atthe Santa Fe home ofDon Strel and AnneHillerman.

Events & Contests

Nasario García shares stories at thehome of Don Strel and Anne Hillerman

on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019.

Retired Journalist Steve Terrell spoke to APWF Jan. 13, 2020.

The Women's International Study Center isinviting writers, artists, scholars, professionals,innovators and entrepreneurs are encouraged toapply for fellowships-in-residence. WISC seeksproposals aligned with its focus areas, broadlydefined, as the arts, sciences, culturalpreservation, business and philanthropy. Everyoneis welcome at WISC to pursue work relevant to theinterests and experiences of women. WISC's spring review period begins March 1, 2020.Any applications submitted after 12:00 a.m. MSTon this date will be reviewed during the nextreview period, beginning Nov. 1, 2020. If selected, fellows will be housed in shared spacein a private residence in historic Santa Fe. Housingincludes a private bedroom with a desk, privatebathrooms, common space for meeting and accessto a wireless network and printer.

Those interested in applying are encouraged tovisit the WISC website for more information aboutthe organization and our fellowships and proceedto the application.

The living area in the historic fellows residence. WISC is acceptingapplications for its fellowship program through Feb. 29, 2020.

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Continued from Page 6

Susan Holloway Scott, Secret Wife of Aaron BurrAnne Hillerman, The Tale TellerLoretta Hall, Out of This WorldMike Gallagher of the Albuquerque Journal

Finding Stories Across Multiple GenresInvestigative JournalismMystery WritingFinding the Story Within the Story

And, of course, preparations are now underway forthe 2020 NMPW Conference, to take place March20-21 at The Canyon Club in Albuquerque's FourHills area. This year's theme is "Finding the Story:From Investigative Journalism to Mystery Writing." This year's conference will feature many authorsand journalists, including:

There will also be panel discussions on:

And, of course, we'll be handing out our annual ZiaBook Awards, and recognizing this year'sCommunicator of Achievement andCommunications Contest winners. Discounted rooms are available at the MarriottUptown (Louisiana & I-40) for March 20 & 21. EmailStella Helms at stella.helms@marriottsales.comwith your reservation request for $119 per night.

Events & Contests

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Register today by clicking HERE.

Entries are currently being accepted for the WomenWriting the West Downing Journalism Award. The award was created to recognize journalism andarticles first published in the year prior to the entryperiod. The inaugural year of 2018 broughtsubstantial submissions, and WWW looks forward tohonoring future recipients of this significant award. The entry period for The Downing Journalism Awardis Jan. 1-March 31, 2020. Final placings and awardswill be announced at the 26th Annual Conference inColorado Springs, Oct. 15-18, 2020. Read the application guidelines and enter your workHERE.

The Society of Professional Journalists launchedthe Black Hole Award to highlight the mostheinous violations of the public's right to know. By exposing such abuses, SPJ’s Freedom ofInformation Committee seeks to educate thepublic about their rights and call attention to thosewho would interfere with openness andtransparency. In 2017, the New Mexico Interstate StreamCommission, under the administration of Gov.Susana Martinez, was nominated by New Mexicojournalist Laura Paskus, who won the nationalaward. Entries for this year's contest are open throughSunday, Feb. 16. To read more about the criteria ornominate an agency you cover, visit the SPJ'swebsite HERE.

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The NMPW BoardPresident Sherri Burr:president@newmexicopresswomen.org Vice President/Broadsheet Editor Damien Willis:damienwillis@gmail.com Secretary Kathy Wagoner: justwritesww@gmail.com Treasurer Loretta Hall:treasurer@newmexicopresswomen.org Communications Contest/Zia Book Award ChairCarolyn Carlson: contest@newmexicopresswomen.org Communicator of Achievement Chair Loretta Hall:treasurer@newmexicopresswomen.org High School Outreach Chair Carolyn Carlson:contest@newmexicopresswomen.org

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Public Relations Chair Cheryl Burbank: clsburbank@sbcglobal.net Scholarship Chair Jessica Savage:scholarship@newmexicopresswomen.org Social Media Chair Ludella Awad:socialmedia@newmexicopresswomen.org Website Chair Arin McKenna:arinprowriter@gmail.com First Amendment Chair Maryam Ahranjani:maryamahranjani@gmail.com Historian Robert Flinkman: Robf56@gmail.com Parliamentarian Kathleen Hessler:khesslerlaw@comcast.net

EventsContinued from Page 7

The Society of Professional Journalists - Rio Grande Chapter will sponsorDoublespeak and Fake News: How George Orwell Matters Today – a free publicreception and panel discussion sponsored by SPJ Rio Grande. The event will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, at ZimmermanLibrary on the campus of the University of New Mexico. George Orwell tackled concerns over totalitarianism in his works "1984," "AnimalFarm," and "Homage to Catalonia." Were those works warnings or prophesies?Today one can spot elements of Orwell-coined concepts like doublespeak andnewspeak in media. Join the Society of Professional Journalists for a discussionabout why Orwell still matters in a divided nation and amid media upheaval. The event is in conjunction with the ongoing UNM exhibit, "George Orwell: HisEnduring Legacy," at the Center for Southwest Research in Zimmerman Library.