The following is an analysis of the Native American Journalists Association, also known as NAJA. Their Web site can be found at http://www.naja.com. NAJA is located on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman at the Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications building.
In 1983, a group of Native American journalists met at Pennsylvania State University to assess the state of Native media and its communications with the public. They decided that a national organization was needed to advance and improve Native media. The same journalists met again in 1984 and created the Native American Press Association, also known as NAPA. In 1990, the organization's name was changed to the Native American Journalists Association to better reflect the group's goals to expand and include those in the radio and television news industry.
Membership of NAJA includes individuals, associates, students, high school students, high school teachers, as well as corporate, non-profit, academic and tribal members. Membership dues vary depending on your classification among the groups just mentioned.
NAJA's primary goal is to improve communications among Native people and between Native Americans and the general public. NAJA has several missions. First, NAJA's mission is to serve and empower Native journalists through programs and actions designed to enrich journalism and promote Native cultures. Secondly, their mission is to recognize Native Americans as distinct peoples based on tradition and culture. Their mission also is to educate and unify its membership through journalism programs that promote diversity and defends challenges to free press, speech and expression. NAJA is also committed to increase the representation of Native journalists in mainstream media. Lastly, NAJA encourages both mainstream and tribal media to attain the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and responsibility.
The Web site is very easy to use and navigate. On the left side of the page you can find the information just mentioned, as well as 2010 convention information, how to donate, the latest news and issues among Native Americans and general information for students about internships, scholarships and NAJA student chapters. There is also general information for professionals about jobs, awards and opportunities. The information on these tabs are informational and useful, however, the resources tab is by far the best tab. Under the resources tab, you can find two things: community links and media links. Under community links, you can find Native American publications and organizations, as well as journalism organizations. It was so easy and helpful to navigate and read the Native American Times and the Navajo Times under this link. Under the media links tab you can find reference guides such as SPJ codes, journalism centers, journalism libraries, journalism organizations such as the Web sites our class has been blogging on all semester and then some, job sites, publications, news sites, news research, as well as newspapers, radio and TV organization links.
NAJA's Web site could be very beneficial to anyone and everyone in journalism. Not only can it help you become involved in a local chapter, but the site also provides very helpful links to internship and job sites for journalists to gain the experience they need. The media links tab is the most crucial section on the Web site. Everything a journalist could need is at your fingertips and is just a click away. Whether it's reading a publication or finding facts for a story you are working on, it's going to be under the media links tab under the resources section. The site also helps provide a Native American outlook on issues, as well as topics and issues facing the Native American community. Thus, it provides a diverse perspective on issues in order to reach and accomplish NAJA's missions and goals.
An issue facing all journalists now is the job market. As mentioned, NAJA provides current job and internship listings to members, as well as visitors. However, NAJA doesn't outright address jobs and internships as an issue, nor does NAJA address any issues whatsoever. On the other hand, NAJA does provide a link to the Center for Integration and Improvement of Journalism, also known as CIIJ. On the CIIJ's Web site, you can find issues facing journalism. For example, CIIJ mainly addresses the issue of diversity in the media as a concern, which calls for more diverse media organizations.
Overall, I would rate this site a four out of five. It was very helpful and easy to use. It also wasn't as complicated or complex as some of the Web sites we have blogged about this semester. Simple seems to work best. The resources tab is the best part of the Web site without a doubt. Everything a journalist could want or need can be found under the resources tab links. I also felt that NAJA accomplishes all of their missions and goals as well. For example, NAJA provides a Native American perspective, but they also promote journalism professionalism. If NAJA would have outright addressed issues facing journalism and how to resolve those issues, then I would have given the site a perfect rating.
I agree with Heather about the 4 out of 5 ranking. The Web site is very easy and helpful. I also like the video of the old lady speaking about journalism on the home page. It brings about a more "homely" welcoming feeling, and brings about the purpose of it being a Native American Web site. I also liked the offers the Web site has on offering jobs. I haven't seen any other Website that we've looked at for this class post any job listings. All in all I think the Web site is extremely helpful to all visiting journalists.
ReplyDeleteAs an Oklahoman, I feel it is especially important to understand the Native American perspective and take that into consideration when doing journalism. The information on the site reminded me that although I like in Oklahoma, I do not take into consideration the needs of the Native American community. I wish there was more information on how to specifically address those. That kind of falls in with Heathers complaint about a lack of coverage of actual issues.
ReplyDeleteIt is refreshing to see a minority group as advanced in journalism as the Native Americans. Like Annelise, I was not aware of the issues they face until last year when I had to cover a story about the English only bill and how it affects the group. I didn't know about this site last year, and that is unfortunate because this site is extremely helpful in learning how to cover the issues of the Native Americans. And, not only is the site helpful for the group, but all journalists, providing a plethera of information for any journalist. I might have given them a perfect score.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Heather's rating. This site was very accessible and informative. It was more than just a site full of dates of conferences. I liked how many different groups could use this site.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of an organization like NAJA is its community building potential. NAJA doesn't come out and play the victim, its aim is to induce great personal pride in Native American journalists so they can go forth and report with a sense of community. It's important to remember who you are for all people. It becomes especially important when telling the stories of others because your own views are unavoidably a part of your narrative. Your thoughts, perspectives, emotions are all by products of your personal identity. Without a strong sense of personal identity, your ideas about others may simply be lost a float.
ReplyDelete