Journalism Isn’t Dying, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Deputy Editor Tells UW-Milwaukee Students

Jim Nelson, deputy business editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, paid a visit to the Journalism Club at UW-Milwaukee Wednesday night to assure students that professional journalism is not dying.

“This is one of the most exciting times to be a journalist, ever,” said Nelson. “You might not work at a newspaper; you might go right to work for an online publication. There are tons of online-only business publications. Those publications and those organizations, they’re growing by leaps and bounds, and they’re making money.”

Nelson left students with a few encouraging words. Nelson also came to campus in an effort to connect UWM journalism students more with the professional community.

The Milwaukee Press Club is especially interested in having students become members to benefit from the networking events that are available to students, Nelson said.

“We want to broaden our membership, and there’s plenty of reasons for you guys to join and get involved with the Press Club. And another thing, I know this is of minor importance, but did you know we have our own bar?” Nelson said.

Overall, Nelson’s message underscored the importance of journalism students becoming involved in the professional community.

“We need you guys more than ever.” Nelson said.

The club’s adviser also told the students that journalism matters.

This year’s political campaign plays an especially important part teaching students about the role journalists and the media play in keeping campaigns honest. Jane Hampden is the faculty advisor for the Journalism club at UWM and a long-time media professional who is happy to share her experience with students.

“All I have to say is look at this year’s political campaign, look at this year’s political season,” Hampden says. “And, are you kidding me? The world needs journalists, all the way around. The world needs us to tell important stories and to tell the truth about what’s going on.”

If you’ve been on social media after a political debate, you know fact checking is a huge aspect in this year’s presidential race.

Hampden tries to teach students how important it is to check the facts.

“Something else that Jim works on is Politifact, which is a fact checking entity,” said Hampden, who brought Nelson to campus for the event. “Imagine the importance of that this year.”

Journalism club isn’t only about the professional experience, but the social experience as well. President of the club, Luis De Leon, says the it’s great experience for any student.

“Jim Nelson came in tonight to talk with us about all sorts of events that are coming up and just one of the beauties of Journalism Club is having people like him coming in to speak to us,” said De Leon. “It’s him really engaging with students, and he’s able to tell us why it’s good for us to stay in the industry.”

The Newsroom Pub is located in Downtown Milwaukee, and is where the Milwaukee Press Club holds a few of its events like Meet the Media where professionals sub in as celebrity bartenders.

“Sometimes we get the mayor back there, or Senator (Ron) Johnson or Senator (Russ) Feingold. You might get to see people you wouldn’t have ordinarily met,” Nelson said to the students.

Nelson isn’t just involved with the Press Club’s events, but he also is the president of the endowment board.

“I kind of get the best of both worlds,” says Nelson. “I get a group that owns a bar but I get to hand out money to young people, and it’s really great.”

Part of the endowment money goes towards the Don Walker Memorial Scholarship. This award is close to the Journalism Club’s hearts because Jakayla Phillips, a journalism student at UWM, has become the first recipient of this scholarship, according to donwalkerscholarship.org.

The Milwaukee Press Club endowment also funds trips for students. These have included trips such as the Midwest Journalism Conference and the trip to New York for the group of Panthervision students who were the first collegiate news organization to win a National Edward R. Murrow Award in the professional category, says Hampden.

“It was a huge honor for UWM and for the students who participated in it.” Nelson said.

Joining organizations such as the Journalism Club at UWM and the Milwaukee Press Club is a way to get involved in your community and school, which to Jim Nelson is what it’s all about.

“I have been involved longer than I thought I would be. This is a quality organization, we have good, quality board members,” Nelson said. “I do it because it’s fun. I do it because it’s rewarding and because I like helping students and our community.”