Media ethics, 3 Hall of Fame inductions on tap
KINGSTON, R.I. — October 27, 2003 — An interactive panel discussion on media ethics, a luncheon, and the induction of three Rhode Island journalists into the Rhode Island Journalism Hall of Fame is on the agenda of this year’s “Journalism Day ” at the University of Rhode Island. Jointly sponsored by URI’s Journalism Department and the Rhode Island Press Association, the program will be held Thursday, Nov. 6 at URI’s Kingston Campus.
Bob Steele, an ethicist at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Fla. will lead a distinguished panel that will tackle the question: Is ‘Ethics’ a Four-Letter Word in Journalism Today? Panelists will be Joel Rawson, executive editor of The Providence Journal; Dr. Lynn Pasquerella, URI professor of philosophy; Barbara Meagher, URI journalism professor; Jack White, investigative reporter for Channel 12; Jim Gillis, reporter for The Newport Daily News, Carol Grant, lawyer and director of operations for the mayor of Providence, Jamie Turcotte, URI journalism student; and Jon Moss, URI psychology student. The discussion will be held in the Ballroom of the Memorial Union at 2 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
Prior to the panel discussion, a luncheon and Hall of Fame inductions will be held at 12:30 in URI’s University Club. A plaque with a brief biography and a line-art drawing of each inductee will be attached to the wall of URI’s Chafee Social Science Center, and rest alongside other previously honored journalists.
This year’s inductees are:
o Gloria Russell: a reporter and feature writer for The Westerly Sun. Russell became the first woman reporter at The Sun, writing hard news, features, series, and more. A native of Stonington, Conn., Russell began her career as a radio reporter for WERI. She joined the Westerly Sun in 1966, then went to the Norwich (Conn.) Bulletin. She became a correspondent for The Providence Journal in 1976. After a hiatus, she returned to WERI as news director. Later, she returned to the Sun where she continues to write fact-filled stories.
o The late William Crouse: a managing editor of The Woonsocket Call.
Of Crouse’s four decades in journalism, he spent 31 years at The Call where he served as a reporter, city editor, and managing editor. His series “Pattern for Progress” in which he outlined the needs for charter revision in Woonsocket, won him a Pulitzer Prize nomination and first prize from the New England Press News Executives Association. He shared another of the press association’s top prize with his series on the migration of the textile industry from Woonsocket to the South. Crouse retired in 1978.
o Gerry S. Goldstein, retired bureau manager of The Providence Journal’s South County Bureau. Known for his ability to get the story, all of its details, and making the story reader friendly, Goldstein began his career as a reporter and then editor of The Narragansett Times. He joined The Providence Journal in 1976 and his South County beat as bureau manager. In 1983, he began writing thoughtful, well-crafted and often poignant weekly columns about local people who had interesting lives and experiences.
Anyone who would like to attend the luncheon should send a $13 check to Linda Levin, Dept. of Journalism, Chafee Building, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI. 02881. Deadline to reserve is Monday, Nov. 3.