NTA Cleveland Regional Chapter News - March 2004

Av Westin Coming to Cleveland By Joe Takacs, NTA Cleveland Regional Chapter Intern

Av Westin has been in the broadcast industry for over 50 years and has seen the changes in broadcast journalism first-hand. NTA Cleveland Regional Chapter President Terry D. Peterson first met Av Westin 20 years ago when he was working as a production assistant for ABC news. It was through brief conversations with Av that he got a true sense of the importance of broadcast journalism. Because Terry feels that Westin has his hand on the pulse of television journalism, inviting him would be an excellent opportunity to share his perspective on the industry.

Westin will talk on several subjects including the current television employment environment, National Student Television Excellence program and standards and practices of television news. In addition to Av's distinguished television broadcast career, he has also authored the books Newswatch: How TV Decides the News and Best Practices for Television Journalists.

Peterson feels that Westin’s vast history and experience will afford members of the academy opportunities for enrichment and empowerment and lessons about difficult issues we face today that will have an impact on how we do business tomorrow. In providing these opportunities, Terry is hoping that Westin’s visit will be the first in a year-long series of opportunities that will look at TV news.

The Board of Governors hopes that members will take advantage of this opportunity and will invite their associates to attend these occasions, some of which are open to the public. In addition to his speaking engagements, which include the radio address on the City Club Forum, a college student assembly, and a video conference with high school students across Ohio, Av will be a special guest for a one-on-one with Dick Feagler on WVIZ's Feagler and Friends.

“This is a chance for people to gain better insight into The National Television Academy and for members of the broadcast community to take a closer look at our roles and our industry,” said Peterson.

Westin’s visit will provide a multifaceted series of events that appeal to community members in high school, college, professional, and other media settings. The events will be held March 26th and 27th. For times or more information, go to www.ntacleveland.com.

We encourage your participation and your feedback about this and other events to come.

WANTED: Awards Chair

Steve Goldurs will be ending his term as Awards Chair following the conclusion of this year's Emmy Awards show on September 18th. If you have a desire to be involved in the Emmy's and would like to play an integral role in the awards process, please contact Terry Peterson at 440-808-8300.

You May Be Eligible to Vote in the Prime Time Emmy Awards!

To find out if you qualify, check out the requirements on the ATAS website at www.emmys.com/membership/index.php. If you find out that you do quality, please contact the NTA office at 330-273-5756 and your name will be forwarded to the appropriate person at National.

Congratulations

to Mark Stone, NTA Board Member and Website Committee Chair, and his wife, Amy, on the birth of their 2nd daughter, Harmony Christine. Harmony was born at 7:19 p.m. on February 25, weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces and 20 inches long. Amy and baby are doing great; Mark is again a very proud dad.

From the Editor: Cynthia Barnes On Maternity Leave Congratulations to Cynthia Barnes and her husband, Karl Booker, on the birth of their son, Aaron Benjamin; born 12/31/03 at 2:30 a.m. and weighing in at 6 lbs. 14 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long.

Send news articles and comments to news@ntacleveland.com.