Journalism Desktop

Resources for reporters

Pete DeLea

SYNOPSIS

I am a print journalist with more than two years of daily newspaper experience. I have experience covering a wide range of beats including government, cops, courts and breaking news. I also have computer assisted reporting skills and routinely look for ways to include statistics in my articles. I am proficient in AP Style and have multi-media skills and I frequently include audio, video, moblogging and photography in my work.

EDUCATION

Master's of Public Affairs, Western Carolina University (expected 12/08)

COMPLETED COURSES

 Public Affairs Administration

 Governmental Organizations

Government and Press Relations 

 Judiciary/Rule of Law

 Policy Analysis

 Policy Formulation

 Administrative Law

 Budgetary Processes

 

B.A. Print Journalism, Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, MD, 2004

COMPLETED COURSES

 News Writing

 Advanced Reporting

 Computer Assisted Reporting

 Feature Writing

 Editorial Techniques

 Desktop Publishing (Quark)

 Media Law

 Media Ethics

 Literary Journalism

 Photography

 Photojournalism

 Probability and Statistics

EXPERIENCE

Government/Courts reporter, Shelby Star, (7-day daily, circulation 15,000) Shelby, NC. Position consists of covering Cleveland County and Shelby government and courts. I also serve as the backup cops and emergency services reporter. While at The Star, the newspaper underwent an innovative makeover that fused the print and the web together. The newspaper partnered with Newsgear and Ifra to provide the reporters with a WiFi-enabled mobile internet reporting vehicle that we use for covering breaking news and events. I have had the opportunity to blog live events including an all day running Election Day blog and blogging the Shelby High School's quest for a state championship. Programs used: ACT, Photoshop, Windows Movie Maker, Vegas. 2/06-present

Municipal Government reporter, Lenoir News-Topic, (6-day daily, circulation 9,000) Lenoir, NC. Position consisted of covering four municipalities and overseeing coverage of four additional towns. Also covered breaking news when needed. Addational coverage included business, economic development.. Programs used: News Edit Pro, Quark and Photoshop. 4/05-1/06

Graduate Assistant, Center for Regional Development at Western Carolina University. Position consisted of assisting department staff on a variety of statistical research projects including the university's economic impact study. Programs used: SPSS and a variety of mapping software packages. 9/04-4/05

Editor, Columbia Journal, Columbia Union College student newspaper. Position consisted of publishing bi-weekly newspaper for the college's student body, As editor, I established the first online version of the paper on a public domain despite opposition by the privately run college. While editor, the paper uncovered widespread lapses in student confidentially in an investigation into administrative policies regarding the handling of students' private information including social security numbers. The coverage led to significant changes into the handling practices of personal information. Additional duties included managing and coach a 10-member staff. Programs used: Pagemaker, Photoshop and Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. 8/03-6/04

County Government reporter, Voice Newspapers, Takoma Park, MD. Position included covering Montgomery County government for the Takoma Voice and Silver Spring Voice. Also contributed several feature stories. Additional responsibilities included updating Web site and page design. Programs used: Pagemaker, Photoshop and Dreamweaver. 1/03-8/03.

AWARDS

Student Journalist of the Year, 2002-2003 & 2003-2004, Columbia Union College Dept. of Journalism

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Investigative Reporters and Editors

ADDITIONAL TRAINING

Multi-media workshop by Al Tompkins of the Poynter Institute. July 24, 2007, Gastonia, NC (Closed session for Freedom Communications reporters)

"Convergent Journalism" by Randy Covington of the Univ. of South Carolina-based Newsplex. July 26, 2006, Shelby, NC. (Closed session for Shelby Star newsroom) Discussion topics included moblogging and user generated content.

"Environmental Journalism for the 21st Century" by Stuart Leavinworth of the Sacramento Bee. UNC-Charlotte-Urban Institute/Knight Foundation. May 23, 2006, Charlotte, NC.

"Reporting the story if terrorism strikes." UNC-Chapel School of Journalism. Nov. 18, 2005, Chapel Hill, NC.

"The road to better writing" by Carolyn Bower. SNPA Traveling Campus-Asheville. Sept. 13-15, 2005.

Computer Assisted Reporting annual conference, March 12-14, 2004, Cincinnati, OH.

Associated Collegiate Press Annual National Newspaper workshops, Aug. 1-3, 2003, Wash. D.C.

Investigative Reporters and Editors annual conference, June 5-8, 2003, Wash. D.C.

Computer Assisted Reporting annual conference, March 14-16, 2003, Charlotte, NC.

Investigative Reporters and Editors regional conference, Oct. 19-20, 2002, Savannah, GA.