SPJ DC Pro expresses support for Capital Gazette newspaper

 Published Date: July 1, 2018

A time of celebration, a time to reflect . . .

 

Dear SPJ DC Pro members and friends,

As we are looking toward the national July 4 holiday on Wednesday, when we will celebrate America’s independence and the freedoms its founders bestowed through the U.S. Constitution, the chapter’s board of directors asks that each of us pause to reflect on the lives and legacies of fellow professionals lost a few days ago just up the road in Maryland.

Last Thursday, June 28, four journalists – reporters and editors – and an ad sales representative were killed when a gunman – reportedly a man with a list of grievances against the paper for coverage of his encounters with law enforcement – walked into the Capital Gazette newspaper office in Annapolis, and opened fire. Two other employees were injured.

The killings shocked the senses, and upon reflection, remind us of the dangers inherent in “seeking truth and reporting it,” the SPJ mission and a freedom and responsibility granted in the First Amendment. If not for the loss of fellow journalists on the eve of our Fourth of July observances, it’s possible this aspect of what we do every day in our jobs would not have become top of mind.

Several members have asked what the chapter can do to assist the Capital Gazette survivors. The board has been in touch with national SPJ and discussed possibilities among ourselves. Here is what we recommend at this time.

  • Monetary donations can go to the GoFundMe collection page established on June 28 at this site, or directly to the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. An update has been posted on the GoFundMe page about tax-deductible contributions (GoFundMe donations are not tax-deductible). At one point on July 1, the update said, in part: “We’ve received donations from all 50 states and 19 countries. The families and colleagues of the Capital Gazette staff will need an unimaginable amount of support — both emotional and financial — in the coming months. Our hearts ache for them, but it’s important for them that we channel our grief, fear and sadness into positive action. Now that the initial chaos has calmed a bit, tronc — the parent company of the Capital Gazette — has established a family fund through the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. Anyone wishing to donate can call (410) 280-1102, go online to cfaac.org or send a check to CFAAC at 914 Bay Ridge Road, Suite 220, Annapolis, Maryland 21403 with ‘The Capital Gazette Families Fund’ listed on the memo line. Please note that while your donations through this GoFundMe are not tax-deductible, donations made directly to the fund are.”
  • Donate online directly to The Capital Gazette Families Fund at this link. Through CFAAC, grants can be applied to grief and trauma counseling, medical expenses not covered by insurance, funeral expenses, and other associated expenses and services.
  • Buy an SPJ First Amendment T-shirt, with all proceeds going to the Capital Gazette, thanks to the efforts of Region 2 Director Andy Schotz here. See an image below.

SPJ National President Rebecca Baker released the following statement on June 28:

“SPJ is deeply saddened by the reports from Annapolis, Maryland, that a shooter entered the Annapolis Capital Gazette building and shot several people. Our hearts go out to the victims and their family, friends and colleagues. We are ready to help in any way we can.”

Rebecca Baker, SPJ National President, 203-640-3904, rbaker@spj.org

The DC Pro Chapter’s official statement on the incident is this: “The members of the Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists are grief-stricken over the tragedy that occurred last Thursday, June 28, at The Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland. As SPJ members in the metropolitan D.C. area, we want to reach out to our journalism colleagues at the newspaper — four of whom sadly are no longer with us. We stand ready to do what we can to help our colleagues. The SPJ DC Pro board of directors has sent its expression of concern and assurance of solidarity to the paper’s editor, and continues to monitor developments and actions taken by other journalism organizations for signals toward our most effective course of action in the coming days. We take courage from the example of the Capital Gazette newsroom that is soldiering on but are cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead for those traumatized by the events of June 28. We witnessed the incredible fortitude the staff exhibited in the face of tragedy to put out an edition the following day – not as if nothing had happened, but despite the odds and emotions they had to overcome. This represents the best of journalism’s most valiant efforts, and honors in a very profound way the memories of those lost.”

Former editor and publisher of the Capital Gazette Tom Marquardt wrote about journalism and the First Amendment in a piece published in the Washington Post June 29, “Honor the dead journalists by respecting their profession,” here.

Alumni of the newspaper are all across the spectrum of journalism in many parts of the country. They are honoring their special connection to all journalists who have worked there, whether they worked with them directly or not. Here is one example of appreciations written in recent days.

Do you have specific ideas about how SPJ DC Pro could honor the memories of the five employees killed at the Capital Gazette and/or serve the newsroom survivors, through training, hands-on work contributions or a physical memorial? Let us know by contacting chapter President Jonathan Make: press@warren-news.com or 202-872-9200. Or send an email to spjdcchapter@gmail.com.

Other reading about the incident and victims:

  • Newseum front page for The Sunday Capital, July 1
  • The obituaries of the Capital Gazette staffers who were killed:

– Gerald Fischman
– Rob Hiaasen
– John McNamara
– Rebecca Smith
– Wendi Winters

  • Chapter member Len Lazarick’s online publication Maryland Reporter, in its State Roundup on June 29, highlighted coverage of the tragedy that included reports by reporters who are past recipients of SDX Foundation of Washington journalism scholarships. The roundup is here and the reports of note are about Wendi Winters (by Arelis Hernandez) and Rebecca Smith (by Michael Brice-Sadler), both for the Washington Post.
  • Memorial services for two of the victims are set, the first one for Monday, July 2.
  • Singer Bono paid tribute to the slain journalists at a U2 concert in Newark, New Jersey, June 29.
  • The Twitter account of Jimmy DeButts, community news editor and metro columnist at the Capital Gazette, was slightly tweaked to honor the victims.
  • The Capital Gazette acknowledges expressions of support from many corners.