ONA on Air

Everyone’s path to journalism is different, and the internet and an increasingly diverse population have made those paths even more varied. J-school isn’t (and shouldn’t be) the only place where news organizations find talent. ONA on Air producer Andrea Gutierrez, who also works for KPCC public radio, chats with longtime journalism educator Michelle Johnson about supporting journalism newcomers. She has run the Student Newsroom and Innovation Lab at ONA’s annual conference for years and is passionate about training the next generation of journalists of color. We also hear from ONA19 speaker Priscilla Villlareal, better known as Lagordiloca, about non-traditional paths to journalism and how ONA can encourage people from different backgrounds and identities to enter the profession.

Episode S2E11 was produced by Andrea Guiterrez of the ONA19 Audio Team. Music used in this episode is by Bonus Beats Blast 2011 at FreeMusicArchive.org.

In our previous episode, ONA co-founder Rich Jaroslovsky talked about how the association’s name could use an update. It was a placeholder after all — one that stuck around for 20 years! Just for fun, we sent ONA on Air producer and freelance audio journalist Ben Ellman to the ONA19 conference in New Orleans to hear attendees’ ideas for how they would rename ONA if they could. Music used in this episode is by Bonus Beats Blast 2011, FreeMusicArchive.org.

Produced by Ben Ellman and Stephanie Serrano

The origin story for the Online News Association starts in the most relatable way: two journalists complaining about their newspaper’s corporate owners and the dismissive way journalists writing for the web were treated. In this episode, ONA on Air producer and host of the “It's All Journalism” podcast Michael O’Connell talks with ONA co-founder Rich Jaroslovsky at the ONA19 conference in New Orleans. They talk about why the association was started and what Jaroslovsky thinks is the future and challenge for ONA. Music used in this episode is by Podington Bear.

Producer: Michael O’Connell

As you board your flights back home, the ONA on Air podcast team bids you farewell and good luck. We leave you with a few messages on what journalists at the conference say they're taking back to their newsrooms from ONA19.

This episode is produced by Amanda Font and Olivia Allen-Price. Music used is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Should reporters from immigrant backgrounds strive for objectivity when covering immigration? This was a question that ONA on Air producer and freelancer Naina Rao has been wondering for a while. So at her first ONA conference, she decided to find answers from journalists at ONA19 who are doing just that – immigrants covering immigration. How do they think about objectivity?

Music used in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions.

Being a mother in the newsroom comes with its own challenges. In this episode, ONA on Air producer Stephanie Serrano talks with Kathrine Goldstein, creator and host of the Double Shift, a podcast about a new generation of working mothers. Goldstien lead a session at ONA19 called "Motherhood: Living It in Newsrooms, Covering It in the Word."

Music used in this episode included "Dollar Theatre" by Alen Warshawsky and "Bird" by James pants under the Bonus Beat Blast 2011 album. Find the artists at FreeMusicArchive.org.

Reddit is an incredible way of getting in touch with sources who have unique stories and points of view. Reddit users are happy to interact with reporters, but the dynamic has to feel equal. In this episode, ONA on Air producer and freelancer Ben Ellman interviews Alexandra Ptachick, Audience Editor for Emerging Platforms at USA TODAY. She was one of the speakers at the ONA19 session titled "Reddit: The Highly-Engaging Content Source That You May Be Overlooking." Listen to the interview and the full session.

Music in this episode is by Podington Bear. Find this artist on FreeMusicArchive.org.

Do you dread performance reviews? Is there someone in your newsroom that just doesn't get the 'X' in Latinx? This episode is for you! ONA on Air producer Erika Aguilar had a quick conversation with two presenters at ONA19 after their packed Friday session on how to have difficult conversations with your newsroom colleagues. Listen for tips, advice and the full session that was presented at ONA19.

Special thanks to Destinée-Charisse Royal, Senior Staff Editor, Graphics, The New York Times and Luisa Ortiz Pérez, Executive Director & Co-Founder, vita-activa.org.

Music used in this episode is by musician Peter Arcuni.

How do we report on people who don't fall into the traditional gender binary with dignity and respect for their identity? There was an email exchange on the Gaydio listserv in May that shows various newsrooms might identify drag queens in different manners (by their stage name versus given male name). In this episode, ONA on Air producer Austin Fast talks to journalists at the ONA19 conference in New Orleans about how they handle gender non-conforming sources and subjects.

Music used in this episode is by Blue Dot Sessions. Special thanks to Margaret Schneider, an ONA Local organizer, Posey Gruener of Sound Effect, and Lori Todd of Cronkite News.

Is this your first time at an ONA conference? Not sure how to take it all in? You're not alone! ONA On Air producer Amanda Font (this is her first time, too) got the skinny on handling yourself and making the most of the conference from ONA board members Imaeyen Ibanga, and Benét Wilson, and former ONA board member Robert Hernandez.

Music used in this episode is “Exotic” by Andrew Pekler and “Whispering Through” by Asura with Bonus Beat Blast 2011, which can be found on FreeMusicArchive.org.