Doris Truong, Tumbling

If you’re in D.C. on April 9, stop by the Newseum, where I’ll be on a panel organized by the Aspen Institute for its annual symposium on #stateofrace.

Lots of thought-provoking issues are on the agenda, and I’ll be up for the “news media” panel at 3:40.

Domestic and international news media influence and directly affect the quality and accuracy of information being shared with the public. News coverage of events, particularly of Presidential elections, display the ways in which the media can play a role in furthering divisions between races and ethnic groups as well as ameliorating them. In the current media environment, what changes are needed to ensure inclusive and balanced reporting? How has news coverage of the 2012 Presidential election affected minority populations? What role should the news media play in solving rather than exacerbating racial and ideological problems?

I’ll be joining:

• Andrew Rojecki, author, “The Black Image in the White Mind: Media and Race in America,” and associate professor, Department of Communication, University of Illinois at Chicago
• Antoine Sanfuentes, Washington Bureau chief, NBC News
• Juan Williams, political analyst, Fox News (moderator)

If you can’t get to the Newseum, watch the webcast starting at 8:30 a.m. April 9.

If you have questions/suggestions/concerns, don’t hesitate to e-mail me or tweet (flag my attention: @doristruong) and use the hashtag #AAJA.

If you’d like a copy of the agenda, e-mail AAJA National Secretary Theodore Kim.

We’ll do our best to continue to offer our members everything you need to stay ahead in the 24/7 news cycle.

And if you happen to be in the San Francisco area, join us Friday for a meet-and-greet with the local chapter.

In a nod to the UNITY12 host city, National Association of Hispanic Journalists President Michele Salcedo has challenged my organization, the Asian American Journalists Association, to a friendly (and tasty) wager.

Who will bring the most members to the UNITY12 convention in Las Vegas?

At stake for Michele? Three dozen homemade tamales — reportedly “famous, incredibly light and delicious.”

At stake for me? Three dozen items selected to represent each of AAJA’s 21 chapters (wasabi Pringles for AAJA-Asia, Celestial Seasonings for AAJA-Denver, etc.)

But, really, we all win. The higher the turnout, the more people we can all meet and learn from.

So, what are you waiting for? If you want top-notch journalism training, get registered now^.

^ P.S. Register as an AAJA member and help me get that much closer to tamale victory!

Awesome showing by AAJA Nation! So proud of the chapters in the Asian American Journalists Association, which are digging deep to invest in our members.

Here are just a few AAJA opportunities to make UNITY12 more affordable — and they’re tied to registering for Friday’s UNITY12 early-bird deadline:

• Minnesota has up to four $300 grants. Apply by Friday.
• Portland has three $200 stipends. Apply by Thursday.
• San Diego has stipends for two students and one professional. Apply by May 1.
• San Francisco/Bay Area is providing up to 10 grants of $300 each. Apply by May 14.
• Seattle will assist one recently laid-off journalist by paying for the $325 early-bird convention registration. Apply by Thursday.

Chicago is also offering a helping hand; contact the chapter’s leaders for more information.

And UNITY12 has set up a roommate-finder as a resource for the budget-conscious.

I will update this page as I hear from other AAJA chapters.

Is UNITY12 on your calendar? If you’re a journalist, it should be!

The first four days of August, hundreds of industry leaders from around the world will be at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, networking and sharing the passion for our craft. And this year’s sessions will offer plenty of tools to help attendees become even more effective at delivering the news.

UNITY12’s early-bird registration cutoff is Friday, so sign up soon for the best rate.

And check out some of the great programming that awaits:

• Hot topics are high on the agenda with immigration and lessons from Jeremy Lin in the spotlight.
• Revive narrative storytelling with long-form journalism and investigative reporting.
• Learn social media nuts and bolts, including how to safeguard your online reputation.
• Hands-on multimedia sessions teach you how to make your own maps and ways to be a better visual storyteller.
• Professional development workshops will coach you on tips to market yourself.
• And a healthy journalist is an effective journalist. Eating well on deadline and having a nest egg are just part of the equation.

I can’t wait for UNITY12! Aug. 1 will be here before you know it, so make sure you reserve a place among the most diverse journalists who will assemble this year.