Joe Pinchot of NEWS On the Green has been named to the Ohio School Boards Association Media Honor Roll for fair and balanced education reporting and exemplary service to the community.
Brookfield Board of Education, which selected Pinchot for the honor, presented a certificate signed by OSBA President Robert M. Heard Sr. and Brookfield board President Sarah A. Kurpe and a plaque that was made in the school district’s Maker Space at its Dec. 14 meeting.
“Local journalists are a trusted source for school news and information in communities large and small across Ohio,” said Gary Motz, editor of OSBA Journal, which listed Pinchot and 49 other journalists named to the OSBA Media Honor Roll, in the Journal’s October edition. “Recognizing the important role they play in school communications, OSBA created the Media Honor Roll in 2002 to recognize news media representatives for fair, balanced and accurate reporting on public schools.”
The program recognizes journalists that “work to know” key district officials, including the superintendent and board president; report school news in a fair, accurate and balanced manner; give a high profile to positive news about schools; visit schools; and give school officials the opportunity to comment on information to be aired or published, OSBA said.
OSBA Chief Executive Officer Rick Lewis said it is important for school districts to work with local news outlets.
“The media can help schools spotlight student achievement, community service, athletic and artistic accomplishments and all the other positive things taking place every day,” he said. “Schools that cultivate good relationships with local journalists strengthen their ability to communicate clearly and effectively with their communities.”
NEWS On the Green is a news service for Brookfield, Masury and Yankee Lake, and is a publication of Pinchot-Swogger Publishing LLC of Masury.
