Columnist sees irony in Univision's defense of Mexicans; another reporter quits — can't afford to live on her salary; Nigerian journalist says he was beaten into a coma; journalists advised to add context to church burnings; police killings of mentally ill demonstrate lack of training; textbooks, monuments still lie about Confederacy; Obama opposition to team name thwarts move; 5 reasons Puerto Rico is treated more like a colony; ProPublica offering $4,500 stipends to students of color (7/1/15)Returning July 6, barring breaking news
Columnist Sees Irony in Univision's Defense of Mexicans
Another Reporter Quits; Can't Afford to Live on Her Salary
Nigerian Journalist Says He Was Beaten Into a Coma
Journalists Advised to Add Context to Church Burnings
Police Killings of Mentally Ill Demonstrate Lack of Training
Textbooks, Monuments Still Lie About Confederacy
5 Reasons Puerto Rico Is Treated More Like a Colony
"Everyone born on the island of Puerto Rico is a U.S. citizen who enjoys the same rights as any other citizen — provided they're willing to move to one of the 50 U.S. states,"Roque Planas and Adriana Usero wrote Wednesday for HuffPost LatinoVoices.
"Those who remain on the island, however, are subject to a series of rules that limit their self-determination and participation in U.S. democracy.
"Despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are full-fledged Americans, the island is neither a U.S. state nor an independent country. The name for its unique status in U.S. law is 'commonwealth.' Yet for all intents and purposes, this political status has granted the island a separate and unequal designation more akin to a colony.
"Being treated as a possession rather than a partner has made it much more difficult for Puerto Rico to dig itself out from under its more than $70 billion debt. The island is facing a historic default on its debt, which Gov. Alejandro García Padilla said this week is 'unpayable.'
"Here are five ways Puerto Rico is being treated more like a colony than a U.S. state or an independent country — making it harder for the island to tackle its economic disaster. . . .'
- Juan Gonzalez, Daily News, New York: Puerto Rico — like Greece — will default on its debts, as the U.S. has ignored the island's financial problems for decades
- Errol Louis, Daily News, New York: Puerto Rico's crisis is ours, too: Rescuing the island from its fiscal emergency should be on the agenda of every presidential candidate
ProPublica Offering $4,500 Stipends to Students of Color
"Are you a college student of color interested in doing great journalism?" ProPublica asked on Monday.
"ProPublica wants to help. We are a nonprofit investigative newsroom and we're offering stipends to five minority students who work or want to work at college journalism outlets — newspapers, websites, radio stations or TV stations. We want to make college journalism accessible to students for whom it would otherwise be economically out of reach. Students can apply for the stipends annually. Those selected will receive $4,500 per semester.
"Each student in our Emerging Reporters Program will also receive ongoing mentoring from ProPublica's reporters and editors. We'll also bring you to our newsroom in New York for a week. . . ."
Meanwhile, the Philip Merrill College of Journalism at the University of Maryland announced a Saturday-only, four-course graduate program aimed at moving careers into overdrive. "The two-semester, 12-credit graduate certificate program (two classes each semester) is designed for working professionals. Classes meet on Saturdays, so there's no conflict with work schedules. . . ."