THE RTNA BROADCAST JOURNALISM SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

THE RTNA-JIM ZAILLIAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
THE RTNA-JERRY DUNPHY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
AND THE RTNA-HAL FISHMAN MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
AWARDS

Sponsored by the Radio and Television News
Association of Southern California

2009 APPLICATION

Please read this entire application and prepare your responses before filling it in and submitting it. This application must be submitted on-line at www.rtna.org to be considered.

Applications must be received no later than October 31, 2009.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Any student whose career objective is broadcast journalism and who currently is studying at sophomore level or above at an accredited Southern California college or university.

Name: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
ZIP: 
Telephone: 
E-mail: 
Current School 
or College: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
ZIP: 
Major: 
GPA: 
Year graduating: 

Current Class: (please check one)

Sophomore Junior Senior Graduate

Scholarship funds will be used for education at (list school): 

Please respond to the following question in 100 words or less:
What is your career objective and why?

Please paste in a one-page resume or autobiographical sketch including honors, awards and achievements in school, in the community and in journalism.

Please list related course work and journalism experience.

Please list three professional references, including at least one school faculty member. Do not include relatives.

Reference 1

Name: 
Title, Company: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
ZIP: 
Telephone: 
E-mail: 
Relation: 

Reference 2

Name: 
Title, Company: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
ZIP: 
Telephone: 
E-mail: 
Relation: 

Reference 3

Name: 
Title, Company: 
Address: 
City: 
State: 
ZIP: 
Telephone: 
E-mail: 
Relation: 

Submit an essay, no more than 500 words, regarding the following scenario:

A man burst into a home with an axe. A woman grabbed her child and hid in a bathroom. She then used her cell phone to call 911. A television station used excerpts from that call in telling the story. The woman’s husband wrote a passionate letter to a local newspaper criticizing the station for exploiting his wife and sensationalizing the incident. You have two reliable sources willing to go on the record in the above situation.

In your essay, address the following:

  1. What is the journalistic purpose of the story? How does the use of the 911 tape fit that purpose?
  2. Does the use of the tape serve the interests of the viewers?
  3. How else would you cover this particular story?

After submitting your application on-line please mail the following documents that must be received by Monday, November 30, 2009:

  1. Nominating letter from a faculty member.
  2. Proof of registration (one of the following is acceptable):
    • Letter from registrar confirming enrollment
    • Copy of current registration receipt
to:
2009 RTNA Scholarship Committee
6216 E. Pacific Coast Highway, #281
Long Beach, CA 90803-4867

By submitting this form, I affirm that the information provided is accurate in all respects, that I have a sincere interest in following a career in broadcast journalism, and that I shall apply the funds to further my education. I am aware that should I become a finalist in the selection process, I will have to take a broadcast writing test and complete an oral interview with the scholarship committee judges.

Submitted by:  Dated: 

You may confirm receipt of your application by calling 949-278-8349
or sending an e-mail to scholarship@rtna.org