A couple of years ago, Springfield, Ohio, drew national attention after then-presidential candidate Donald Trump repeated false accusations about the local Haitian community that had been promoted by right-wing Internet influencers. National reporters came to Springfield, investigated the claims and left.
But long before Springfield made national news, the Springfield News-Sun was covering the changes brought by the arrival of Haitians who were granted legal entry to the United States. After the national outlets left, the News-Sun kept reporting on how shifts in national immigration policy affect Springfield’s Haitian community and the town as a whole.
Join Jessica Orozco, staff writer for the News-Sun, and Josh Sweigert, editor for investigations for the News-Sun and its sister newsrooms, for a discussion of how the paper covers Springfield’s Haitian community and how national immigration policy changes have affected the town.
With deep-dive sessions, workshops, panel discussions and inspiring speakers, there’s something for everyone at SPJ26.
Did you know?
- 162 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in 2023-2024.
- 85 % of cases of journalists’ killings since 2006 are still unresolved or abandoned.
- The number of women journalists killed in 2022 was at its highest level since 2017, with 10 cases.
- Almost half of the deaths took place in countries experiencing armed conflict, compared with 38% in the previous two years.
Read more about the day HERE.
From National Day Calendar
HOW TO OBSERVE HUG A NEWSPERSON DAY
- Hug a newsperson. (Ask for permission first.)
- If you aren’t able to hug your newsperson, you can send them a virtual one.
- You can also download our coloring page. When you’re finished coloring it, send it to your favorite newsperson to show them how much you appreciate them.
- Or solve the word search puzzle we created for the day using common news words.
- Use #HugANewspersonDay to post on social media.
From Days of the Year
How to Celebrate National Hug a Newsperson Day
Looking for ideas on how to celebrate National Hug a Newsperson Day? Get creative with various ways to enjoy the day, including getting started with some of these plans:
Hug a Newsperson
Those who have friends or family members who work in the news industry might want to take National Hug a Newsperson Day as an opportunity to give them an extra big bear hug in celebration of the day.
Of course, any time there is a day based around hugging someone, it is important to get their permission first. So don’t think it’s a good idea to be waiting outside the news channel office to attack a random newsperson with a hug!
It’s best just hug the ones you already know, and perhaps offer a handshake or a wave when coming across a newsperson you don’t know.
Watch a News Show
Perhaps it has been quite some time since turning on the television (or heading to a news website) to simply watch a classic news program.
National Hug a Newsperson Day might be just the right time to show support to the news stations and the people who work for them.
Catch some news that comes straight from a TV presenter, whether it is someone who is a local or it’s a nationally-known news personality.
With more than fifty free-to-air television news stations in the United States, and many more available through paid networks, there’s certainly no shortage of newspeople to watch!
Thank a Newsperson
Some folks who don’t run in the personal circles of newspeople may not have an opportunity to thank them in person. But that’s okay!
Perhaps National Hug a Newsperson Day would be a good time to write into a favorite news station or make a comment on a social media page, thanking a newsperson for their contribution to the world.
Or, just for fun, go a little bit old school and send them a card through the postal service!
Watch Some Comedies About Newspeople
One way to have some fun and be entertained in honor of National Hug a Newsperson Day might be to watch (or re-watch) some classic shows and movies that feature the comedic side of newspeople. Check out a few of these in celebration of the day:
- Anchorman (2004). This comedy film starring Will Ferrell shows the absurd side of being a newsperson.
- SNL Weekend Update (1975-present). Part of the Saturday Night Live weekly comedy show on NBC.
- News Radio (1995-1999). Dave Foley, Phil Hartman, Maura Tierney and Vicki Lewis lead out in this sit-com about a radio news show.
- Broadcast News (1987). This film is a satire about American television news, starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks.
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And for a bit of music to celebrate, have a listen to The Morning Papers by Johann Strauss II
For details – https://www.unesco.org/en/days/press-freedom
Did you know?
- 162 journalists have been killed in the line of duty in 2023-2024.
- 85 % of cases of journalists’ killings since 2006 are still unresolved or abandoned.
- The number of women journalists killed in 2022 was at its highest level since 2017, with 10 cases.
- Almost half of the deaths took place in countries experiencing armed conflict, compared with 38% in the previous two years.
Read more about the day HERE.