As my previous comments indicate (see my earlier post), there is precious little good reporting about the Trayvon Martin case. One exception is nicely balanced, deliberately un-sensational report by a Park University student featured in the latest edition of the Northland News, a weekly news program produced by the broadcasting students at Park University. I commended the reporter, Rudy Harper, and reminded him that even though we’re 95% sure what happened, it’s not our job as journalists to fill in that last 5%.

One very thoughtful analysis of the media coverage of Trayvon Martin is from the Poynter Institute, a journalism think-tank and training center.

Mallary Tenore writes, “Much of the coverage has featured coded language that leaves readers with confusion rather than clarity and impressions rather than facts. News organizations, for instance, have reported that the Department of Justice said its community relations service will meet with officials, civil rights leaders and authorities in Sanford, Fla., this week to “calm racial tensions” nearly a month after the 17-year-old African American was shot.” For the complete piece, titled “How to cover Trayvon Martin killing: Report on ‘racial tension’ and look beyond the hoodie”, click here.

"The Peace Journalist" debuts soon

I’m putting the finishing touches in the next few days on the inaugural edition of The Peace Journalist, a publication of the new Center for Global Peace Journalism at Park University. The Peace Journalist is dedicated to disseminating news and information for and about teachers, students, and practitioners of peace and conflict sensitive journalism. I’m very proud of this magazine, which features articles from literally around the world. Within 7-10 days, a link to the online version of the magazine will be posted on this site, so stay tuned.

--Follow me on Twitter @PeaceJourn
--For more, see my blog: http://stevenyoungblood.blogspot.com