A Firing at The Los Angeles Times Focuses Discontent

“Tribune has long pushed to centralize virtually all operations and direct them from headquarters in Chicago, running its newspapers as a group.

Mr. Beutner, 55, a prominent Angeleno who made a fortune in finance and who once served as deputy mayor, was outlining an independent path for The Times that was relentlessly local and focused on better technology, new sections and events.

He was forging close relationships with Los Angeles civic and business leaders who wanted a vibrant Los Angeles Times as part of the fabric of the city. He had driven the acquisition of The San Diego Union-Tribune, part of a plan to dominate journalism in California.

Two weeks ago, he was called to a conference room and fired.”

— http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/21/business/media/firing-at-los-angeles-times-focuses-discontent.html

LA Times: Why we ran the photo of the Syrian toddler

“As editors, we are constantly asked to make judgments about the photos we publish that document the mayhem in our troubled world: Beheadings of hostages, machete attacks on villagers, gunfire sprayed through a shopping mall, body cam video from police shootings — much of the time, we decide our readers don’t need to be shocked and sickened with the violence swirling around us. A story is enough.

Then came the image of the toddler lying face down on a beach in Turkey, drowned when the rubber boat that would have carried him to possible refuge in Europe capsized offshore. Our Middle East correspondent, Laura King, urged us to pay attention to it. She quickly filed a story with as much as she knew about what had happened to the family and described how the image had begun to rocket across social media.

Should we publish the photo?”

— http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-syria-toddler-editors-note-20150903-story.html

NBCUniversal Headed to Trial Over Reporter's Age Discrimination Claims

“In a lawsuit against KNBC, NBCUniversal and Comcast, Snepp asserts that the reason for his firing was his advanced age. He was terminated just six weeks after NBC resolved a lawsuit with AEG stemming from his investigative piece about fire protection failure issues at the Staples Center. He alleges a new team had come in to lead news at the NBC station and that he was subjected to comments from superiors like “some people just see you as a grumpy old man who oughta just quit.””

— http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr-esq/nbcuniversal-headed-trial-reporters-age-818946

WDBJ7 Photographer Adam Ward and Reporter Alison Parker Shot and Killed

Our thoughts are with the families of Adam Ward and Alison Parker at this tragic time.

More information can be found as it develops at http://www.wdbj7.com

Location Change - PPAGLA Ventura BBQ on the Beach

PPAGLA invites members, families, friends, and students to join us on the beach in Ventura for a BBQ on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015 at San Buenaventura State Beach 

LAFD Press Release about Drone Usage

“LAFD Urges Greater Fire Safety as Drone Usage Increases


LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Chief Ralph M. Terrazas, with city, state and federal leaders urged greater fire safety today in the face of an increasing number of drones. Chief Terrazas was joined by Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-28), State Assemblymember Mike Gatto, Los Angeles City Council President Herb Wesson and Councilmember Mitch Englander.

“The growth of Unmanned Aircraft Systems - otherwise known as drones – has caused a host of unintended consequences for firefighters, potentially putting lives in danger,” LAFD Chief Ralph M. Terrazas said. “Drones, no matter how small, threaten the lives of firefighters and put in jeopardy our ability to fight fires with all of the tools at our disposal; most critically our aerial firefighting fleet. Before anyone even considers launching a drone in firefighting areas, please remember: If you fly, we can’t.”

Rep. Schiff is exploring all avenues to address this problem and wrote recently to the Federal Aviation Administration on how best to “prohibit this dangerous and irresponsible use of civilian drones, which have already endangered the lives of civilians and firefighters.”

“The rapid growth of civilian drones has raised a host of privacy and safety issues, including the danger posed by piloting drones near wildfires,” Rep. Adam Schiff said. “I have urged the FAA to evaluate and test technological solutions that prevent drones from interfering with public safety and I look forward to continuing to work in Congress to address this important issue. Ultimately, operators of drones need to act responsibly and understand that flying near a wildfire creates a danger to the lives of firefighters and pilots. Moreover, in fighting a wildfire, time is of the essence and any delay occasioned by drone interference can have devastating consequences.”

Council President Wesson and Councilmember Englander last week introduced a motion directing city agencies to responsibly regulate the use of drones.

“While I support the advancement of technology and believe drones can be a great tool when used properly, I am taking steps to ensure their use does not adversely affect the lifesaving
actions taken by the Los Angeles Fire Department and others during emergency situations,” said L.A. City Council President Herb Wesson. “Our proposal is a proactive measure that will responsibly regulate drone usage within city limits and better protect the public.”

“Drones are becoming increasing popular. Drones aren’t the problem, but their operators can be. When they jeopardize public safety, they need to be regulated,” said Councilmember Englander, Chair of Public Safety Committee. “It’s vital to put policies in place to prevent interference with firefighting efforts and other public safety activities.””

Dodger Night Coming up on Sept. 15

PPAGLA's annual Dodger night returns Sept. 15 for their 7:10pm game against the Rockies.

Members can request a maximum of 4 tickets. Send a self addressed and stamped envelope to-

John McCoy
2466 Montrose Blvd, #1
Montrose, CA 91020

PPAGLA Hosting Photo Seminar on Aug. 15.

PPAGLA will be hosting a photo seminar on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015 from 10am to 3pm at 7063 N. Laurel Canyon Blvd, North Hollywood 91605 at Fire Station #89.

We will be having Francine Orr from the Los Angeles Times and Terry Pierson from the Press Enterprise there to give presentations on their work.  Francine won the Video Feature award for 2014 and Terry won Photographer of the Year for 2014.

Francine Orr

“Francine Orr has been a staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times since 1999. Previously, she was as a staff photographer at the Kansas City Star, free-lanced for the Los Angeles Times, Santa Monica Outlook, Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and interned at the Pasadena Star-News.

Orr served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia, before beginning her career as a photojournalist. While there, she learned how to be a quiet observer. She worked with visiting anthropologists, documentary teams, and as a teacher. Primarily, she worked with Tamag, a village chief, traditional navigator and canoe builder. This required her to become conversant in the local language and cultural practices.

She has worked extensively in the Pacific Islands, Africa and Asia, covering poverty, corruption, victims of rebels, rape, the ravages of HIV/AIDS and the Asian tsunami. Her six-part series “Living on Pennies,” inspired readers to donate tens of thousands of dollars to aid agencies working in Africa.

Orr has received numerous awards for her photojournalism, including recognition from Investigative Reporters and Editors, the Center for Public Integrity’s Daniel Pearl Award, the C.G. Wellington Memorial Sweepstakes for outstanding photojournalism, Best of the West, the Associated Press Media Editors Public Service Award, the Los Angeles Press Club’s photojournalist of the year, Pictures of the Year International, the National Press Photographers Association’s Best of Photojournalism, the Society of Newspaper Design, the Scripps Howard Foundation, Sigma Delta Chi’s Award for Public Service, the Harry Chapin Award, the National Headliner Award, the Sidney Hillman Award, the Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles, and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.”

Terry Pierson

“Terry Pierson has been a staff photographer for the Press-Enterprise since 2002. Previously, he was a staff photographer at the Daily Bulletin, Gilroy Dispatch, Hollister Freelance, Morgan Hill Times, Fresno Bee Neighbors Newspapers and interned at the Milwaukee Journal.

Over the last 13 years at the PE, Terry has covered southern California wildfires, UCLA Final 4 Basketball, Los Angeles Lakers NBA Finals, MLB Dodgers and Angels playoffs, Hurricane Sandy, College National Football Championship.

The last five years working on local news and features in the Inland Empire.
Portraits, concerts, weekend festivals, high school and college sports, spot news in a heavy workload of two to four assignments a day driving 50 to 150 miles producing photo galleries with early deadlines for local sections and late deadlines for the A-section.”

PPAGLA Hosting BBQ in Redlands

PPAGLA is hosting a BBQ and get together in Redlands this Saturday, May 30th from 12pm-3pm. Local photojournalists, their friends, and families are all welcome to come to enjoy some great food and connect with your local colleagues.

The address to the event is:
Brookside Park
1630 Brookeside Ave
Redlands, CA 92373

Hope to see you there!

$85M deal to combine U-T, LA Times

“The owner of the Los Angeles Times has agreed to buy U-T San Diego, combining two of Southern California’s oldest and most recognizable media companies, executives announced Thursday.”

— http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/may/07/tribune-buys-sandiego-newspaper/

Los Angeles Fire Departments Safety Seminar - DATE CHANGED

***The date for the Fire Safety Seminar has been postponed from Saturday, May 16th to Saturday, May 23rd due to scheduling conflicts with LAFD. We hope to see you there!***

We will be having a Los Angeles Fire Department safety seminar for PPAGLA membership and non-members in the media.  It will take place on Saturday, May 23rd starting at 10am to 3pm.  

Leading the seminar will be Peter Sanders, Public Information Officer from the Los Angeles Fire Department.  This seminar will be important for our student members plus new information for our professional photographers and videographers.

The seminar will be located at the Los Angeles Fire Department, Fire Station 89 "B" Platoon, 7063 Laurel Canyon Bl. North Hollywood, CA 91605. It will be at the back end of the lot in the rear building.

U.S. Marshal Snatches Camera From Woman in Los Angeles, Smashes it to Sidewalk, Kicks it

“Strapped with an assault rifle, a United States Marshal stormed up to a woman recording from a residential sidewalk, snatching the camera from her hands and sending it smashing to the pavement before kicking it towards her in a shocking display of rage.
The marshal then walked off with a group of other armed cops who were part of a task force operation.”

— http://photographyisnotacrime.com/2015/04/los-angeles-sheriffs-deputy-snatches-camera-from-woman-smashes-it-to-sidewalk-kicks-it/

Newsonomics: A coast-to-coast newspaper shuffle is taking shape

“From coast to coast, the spring scent of newspaper transactions hangs in the air. The big one — Apollo Global Management’s purchase of Digital First Media — is nearing completion. Meanwhile, sellers from New York City to southern California test the mettle (and wallets) of would-be buyers.

Expect that the biggest transaction of titles in recent history will be announced by the end of April. Apollo, acting within its exclusivity agreement to buy DFM, is now finishing its due diligence and arranging its financing of the $400 million deal. (“Apollo’s acquisition of Digital First Media”)

In total, millions of readers of U.S. newspapers and sites will see behind-the-home-page changes in who runs — and decides on the future of — their local news. Readers in DFM cities will wonder what Apollo’s ownership will mean — but readers of 10 papers in Pennsylvania, Texas, and New Mexico can now know their new owner.
”

— http://www.niemanlab.org/2015/04/newsonomics-a-coast-to-coast-newspaper-shuffle-is-taking-shape/

2015 Annual Awards Luncheon

A quick reminder that our annual awards banquet is coming up in a couple of weeks. Invitations were mailed out and should have arrived to members by now. We are set to have it at the Almansor Court in Alhambra on Saturday, March 28th at 11am. It's the best price at $29.95 if you purchase tickets prior to the event.  On the day of the luncheon the price goes up to $35 at the door.

It's a great time for all of us to come together and enjoy ourselves!

For Questions please contact: David Fernandez visualtec@att.net
More information here: www.ppagla.org/blog/2015/2/12/2015-annual-awards-luncheon

PPAGLA Features Workshop With Award Winning Photographer Kirk McKoy

Explore a downtown L.A. location with an eye for the found moment of action with a sense of place.

Time will be split between shooting and critiques of best images.

12 student max. 

Saturday, April 4, 2015 , 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Los Angeles Times
202 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, use the spring street entrance.  Parking one block west on Spring between 2nd and 3rd.

To reserve: contact Gerard Burkhart at: burkhagj@piercecollege.edu.
Use “FEATURES” in subject line.

KTTV’s Gina Silva Asks: ‘Why Do People Yell Profanities During a Reporter’s Live Shot?’

“Gina Silva, a reporter for Los Angeles FOX affiliate KTTV, has had enough. She’s sick and tired of people barging into her live shots and shouting, “F*&k her right in the p*&sy!”

In a recent post on KTTV’s site, Silva aired her grievances and took a decidedly feminist stance against the behavior:”

— http://www.adweek.com/tvspy/kttvs-gina-silva-asks-why-do-people-yell-profanities-at-reporters/143523

O.C. Register owners quit: Aaron Kushner, Eric Spitz resign executive duties

“Aaron Kushner and Eric Spitz, the co-owners of the Orange County Register’s parent company, Freedom Communications, resigned Tuesday from executive duties at the paper and the firm, the Register reported.

The move comes less than three years after an investment group led by Kushner bought Freedom in 2012 and announced a bold plan to aggressively expand its news products. Those efforts failed.”

— http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-oc-register-aaron-kushner-eric-spitz-20150310-story.html

Society of Professional Journalists presents: Send in the drones

KPCC'S CRAWFORD FAMILY FORUM
474 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 2015
7:00 PM — 8:30 PM

In Los Angeles, the paparazzi work the streets and TV news helicopters take to the skies. But will we soon see the day when journalists routinely rely on drones to get the job done?

The Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists invites you to attend a panel discussion on the implications of adding the tiny aircraft to the news gathering arsenal: What are the opportunities? How will they be regulated? What about air safety and personal privacy?

Los Angeles Times staff writer David Zahniser will moderate the panel featuring Dr. Gregory McNeal, professor of law and public policy at Pepperdine University; Peter Bibring, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Southern California; and Jason Henry, staff writer for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune and a drone hobbyist.

http://kpcc.ticketleap.com/send-in-the-drones/details

KTLA Reporter, Honorary PPAGLA Member Stan Chambers Dies at 91

“Stan Chambers, the veteran local TV news reporter whose career at KTLA spanned more than six decades, died Friday, according to his family. He was 91.

Chambers passed away shortly after 10:30 a.m. at his Holmby Hills home surrounded by family, according to his daughter Mary Moro. He is survived by his wife Gigi, 11 children, 38 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.”

— http://ktla.com/2015/02/13/stan-chambers-longtime-ktla-reporter-dead-at-91/

2015 Annual Awards Luncheon

The 2015 PPAGLA Annual Awards Luncheon will be on Saturday, March 28 2015.
Starting at 11:00am - 4:00pm

The Location is Almansor Court at 700 S. Almansor St. in the City of Alhambra Ca. 91801

The buffet will have beef,chicken, and fish entrees. Several salads and vegetables with assorted desserts.

The Bar will be cash only.

The Price for the Event is $29.95 per person ( RSVP ) and at the Door will be $35.00

The Invitations will be mailed in the last week of February. You will be able to RSVP then too.

For Questions please contact: David Fernandez visualtec@att.net