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pROFBOBSJSU.COM
Fmr. CNN Correspondent & San Jose State Journalism School Director
California State Lawmakers
Career Citation
Email:
California State Lawmakers
Career Citation
Email:
(Click link:) YouTube Live Stream Recording May 30, 2024
A lively hour-long interaction with reporters who've lived and worked in the region, and tell why feelings on both sides run deep and fuel mistrust. Exploring a nearly 4,000 year cultural history plagued by constant violence and political missteps. How recent developments have created a shocking humanitarian hunger and safety crisis that's raising tensions and triggering global protests especially on America's college campuses. Some traditional freedom of assembly school administrators are now risking their jobs when local police are called in to restore order.
Moderator:
Bob Rucker
A former CNN National News Correspondent in San Francisco, Professor and Director Emeritus of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at San Jose State University. For 37 years he taught journalism at two major American institutions of higher education, including the University of Illinois, UC. Rucker specialized in teaching broadcast journalism skills development and media student critical thinking about how to create safe environments for sharing insightful and candid conversations about sensitive diversity issues. Rucker is also a member of the the Board of Governors for the San Francisco/NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Distinguished Professional Panelists/Event Director
& Co-Producer:
Adam Housley
Reported during the Iraq War from Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan and the Persian Gulf. He has covered the war on terror from Pakistan and in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip. He was on air in Kuwait when the first missiles and warning sirens began on March 20, 2003, and boarded ships in the Persian Gulf along with U.S. Special Forces as they looked for illegal shipments of weapons into Iraq. Housley has reported for KCPM-TV (NBC) in Chico, KTXL-TV in Sacramento from 1999 to 2001, and has received a Regional Associated Press Award and a Regional Emmy Award for his reporting skills.
Lisette Poole
A freelance journalist who spent 14 years living in the Middle East and North Africa, and covered war and peace issues for The Associated Press and The Times of London. Poole has taught at CSU East Bay for more than 24 years. Her masters degree thesis, "Crisis reporting: 91 days to the invasion of Iraq seen through U.S. elite media," focused on "understanding the type of pressures administration and military officials bring to bear on media professionals in times of war, and how news stories about countries seen as “enemies” affect that reporting.
Jim Jakobs
Currently the News Director for KMPH-Television in Fresno. He began his career in 1995 at KCRA-Television in Sacramento, and did stints at KNTV in San Jose/San Francisco, KOVR-TV in Sacramento, KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City and back to California where he worked for 7 years at KFSN-TV in Fresno. He’s passionate about promoting young professionals during the early stages of their careers and wants to help grow the Fresno influence through the local NATAS chapter.
Anthony Mata
Formerly Chief of Police in San Jose, CA. Mata is now the Investigations Bureau Chief for the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office. Mata has been monitoring police, public and college campus responses to nationwide protests since the start of the Israeli-Hamas War. As police chief, he worked closely with Bay Area college campus officials and oversaw local police responses to protests in America’s tenth largest city following the brutal death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Steve Shlisky - Event Director / NATAS SF Chapter Treasurer
Odette Alcazaren-Keeley - SF Board of Governors, Diversity Chair
About Us: EMMY AWARDS - San Francisco/Nor Cal Chapter
TV news friends, colleagues and former students offer congratulations to Prof. Bob Rucker on his retiring after 30 years of teaching at San Jose State University, School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Special heartfelt thanks to Ryan Kern and everyone who shared great memories!
C.J. Rice is a free man, and as of Monday 3/18/24 the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially considers him legally innocent of the crime
he was convicted of in 2013. CNN Anchor Jake Tapper and his father, Rice's medical doctor, helped keep this story high profile. See:
https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/18/politics/cj-rice-freed?cid=ios_app
Following a two-year investigation, CNN anchor Jake Tapper's published a print article in "the Atlantic" about this possible wrongful conviction. "CBS Mornings" took a look back at the case and Tapper's deep reporting on it.
CNN also plans to air Sunday, March 24th @ 8 PM
a special report that documents this detailed and excellent journalistic effort.
Details provided at pbs.org/frontline, in the PBS App, and on FRONTLINE's YouTube channel. Very informative as Americans prepare to vote in 2024.
To understand the significant role responsible journalism has in 2024 to break down events, actions and evidence that led to this extraordinary moment in America.
See the full documentary.
NBA Hall of Fame Sports Writer for ESPN with SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson.
MARC J. SPEARS was honored by his alma mater program, the
Journalism and Mass Communications School with the prestigious
William Randolph Hearst Foundation National Award in 2023.
Event special video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4SX93kBoJ8
MARC J. SPEARS
was a student in Prof. Bob's SJSU media classes. Spears graduated in 1995 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. They stayed in touch and developed a mentor/advisor/ close friendship during Spears' exceptional professional career success.
When Marc J. Spears was in seventh grade, he set a goal to become a respected sports reporter. In this SJSU Journalism School Hearst Award video tribute, national sports figures, family and media colleagues celebrate Marc's skills and determination to see
his dream come true!
In recent years the SJSU School of Journalism and Mass Communication has given this top honor to a wide range of gifted and talented individuals who have demonstrated unique abilities and critical thinking skills in their timely professional communications efforts including:
2020 Dr. Anthony Fauci for “Outstanding Crisis Communications” which bolstered public confidence during the deadly Covid 19 pandemic.
2019 Alex Shebanow and Dan Rather, “Fail State” producers’ of an investigation into for-profit colleges corruption and, student loan debt crisis in America.
2018 Jim Acosta, CNN Chief White House Correspondent who steadfastly focused on truth telling during his coverage of the
Trump Administration.
2017 David Early, San Jose Mercury News for his lifetime career achievements in newspapers as an African American journalist.
2016 David Streitfeld, from the New York Times for their powerful team investigations of problems in Silicon Valley.
2015 Sara Sidner, from CNN for her live TV coverage of dangerous Ferguson, Missouri police racism protests.
2014 Jose Antonio Vargas, producer of “Undocumented,” and his personal challenges dealing with immigration issues.
2012 Sara Ganim, Pulitzer Award winner for her college years investigation of the Penn State football sex scandal.
Professional colleagues, family and local friends, along with students and faculty for Bay Area schools, joined the SJSU campus community celebration for Marc J. Spears, now an accomplished and respected voice in national media,
who’s long been admired as a distinguished
San Jose State University alumnus.
CONGRATULATIONS MARC! You make us so very proud.
Prof. Bob produced the Hearst Foundation Award Ceremony on Zoom:
2018 Hearst Award Ceremony Live @ SJSU:
2020 Zoom Reunion of SJSU Alumni who traveled together through historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement as college media students. Goal: Seeing what it took for a Black man to be elected President of the United States in 2008.
<--Justin Allegri went on that trip. He now broadcasts CAL sporting events.
NATAS SF is dedicated to the advancement of excellence in television. Prof. Rucker has chaired the SF Chapter's Diversity Committee, and still engages academy members and students in timely, eye- opening and long overdue candid discussions.
Bob Rucker is currently a member of the local
Board of Governors
A CBS 5 San Francisco local news anchor salutes his former professor for nearly 40 years of distinguished service to broadcast journalism in television, university teaching and career advising. Several former students, from SJSU and Univ. of Illinois UC, joined in this special celebration.
This very revealing new 2022 series by the San Francisco & NorCal Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' breaks new ground as it candidly explores the life experiences and cultural concerns of professionals working in television news.
February: Impact of George Floyd & BLM Global Protests
March: Women in Television News, Their History & Now
April: Muslims & Middle Eastern Journalists Concerns
May: Asian TV Journalists / Hate Experiences Revealed
June: LGBTQ Journalists, The"Invisible Diversity"on TV
Planned: Latino/Spanish Speaking Journalists Share
Prof. Bob Rucker produces these candid insider conversations, and draws out thoughtful interactions for better understanding of what individual cultural identities bring to the TV industry. They also discover and inspire common ground for continuing discussions at broadcast stations nationwide . These eye opening talks help energize brainstorming in newsrooms looking to do more meaningful storytelling that informs, and connects with all viewers from every cultural community.
Read: Focus less on salary, more on inclusion
Thanks to our wonderful family & friends worldwide, a lifetime of great joys & loving memories are showcased in an extended photo gallery / music video of treasured times together. Click to see our video:
https://share.vidday.com/e/h-uz5cuj
Fonnie Rucker was born with Downs Syndrome 66 years ago. Doctors thought she'd live only 25 years. For decades that smile and "beautiful light in her eyes" shined bright, capturing hearts worldwide. Fonnie's Memorial Mass, concelebrated by five San Jose, California diocesan priests, was held September 17, 2022.
Eager to prove ourselves in the 1970s as young and feisty TV journalists in Des Moines, Iowa, we were eager to offer something new to local TV news viewers. We proudly remember how we "busted our tails" before moving on to successes in broadcasting & other professions.
For more than 25 years, San Jose State University students in Prof. Bob Rucker's "Diversity In Media" course were taught how to create a safe space for large group candid interactions about personal experiences related to race & ethnic cultures, gender, sexual orientation, religious cultures and disabilities. Since 2017, the television facility in the Journalism School enabled students, campus faculty and community leaders to record and share experiences as learning opportunities.
Two Emmy Award Winning Former Students Guest Lecture:
Fond Memories Treasured.
In December, 2020, at the end of Prof. Bob's last MCOM 105: Diversity in Media class, many offer fun insights on his 30 years of teaching
at San Jose State University
Videos:
Professional colleagues & more former student comments.
Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel
See videos of his interviews & class guest interactions in 2020.
Screen TV episode:
Station 19: "Get Up. Stand Up." Season 4 Episode 12
100 years after Tulsa race massacre
Still reckoning with police violence after George Floyd death.
Tulsa 2021: An America Tragedy (CBS, 5/31/21)
Creating Racially Just Workplaces
Ten lessons for talking race
Saying publicly "I'm a racist."
"Not the end of the story." Washington Post Opinion, 4/21/21
TV's "Friends" lack of diversity, 2021
Facebook called "toxic workplace environment" 4/23/21
Racial bias in the U.S. Military, 3/18/21
CA pastor enables people to publicly say they are racist to help heal. 2/23/21
Americans see Blacks, Asians & Latinos all facing discrimination
Denver mayor talks about who they are and being a 'welcoming place,' 2017
INFO & INSIGHTS ON:
Arab & Middle Eastern Americans
How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
How to videotape your Social Identity insights and stories:
People candidly discuss their cultural identities, and share concerns about stereotypes, and false perceptions.
CLICK links to learn briefly about each of these cultures:
Stats: Livermore's Population
Definitions of "Diversity Terms"
Learn about the values and
traditions of others in the world:
SCHOLARLY REPORTS:
Robin DiAngelo - Author
Racial & Social Justice Her Video: Explaining common excuses
Examining systematic racism 2021
Stephen O. Roberts citations in:
Apathy toward systems of racial advantage or denial they exist, 2020
Insightful interactions on video:
Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family. (Announced her retirement in 2021)
African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)
Insightful interactions on video:
Fremont, California Police Chief Kimberly Petersen speaks with Prof. Rucker about her career, BLM, and her diverse family. (Announced her retirement in 2021)
African American Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington shares his personal insights on BLM. (Announced as the next Fremont, CA Police Chief.)
Capt. Washington speaks to SJSU Diversity in Media class, Fall 2020.
Former San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia opens up about 2020 unrest ( He's now the Dallas police chief. )
America is finally ready to share.
Learn how to approach friends &
neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.
Smithsonian:
How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity
PBS Kids:
Talking Race & Racial Identity
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
America is finally ready to share.
Learn how to approach friends &
neighbors in meaningful ways to create a welcoming environment.
Smithsonian:
How to Talk about Racism & Racial Identity
PBS Kids:
Talking Race & Racial Identity
Popular TV Entertainment On George Floyd & Police Issues:
ABC's Grey's Anatomy & Station 19
Hollywood cauldron of Race Issues."
Veteran African American Bay Area police captain shares personal experiences and feelings about a local Black Lives Protest in 2020. Due to Covid 19 pandemic health restrictions, interviews were recorded on Zoom.
During the fall semester at San Jose State University,
Diversity in Media students had an extraordinary follow-up class interaction with Fremont Police Captain Sean Washington.
Fremont, CA. police chief opens up about BLM in 2020.
More videos on Prof. Bob Rucker's YouTube Channel
After teaching journalism and mass communications at San Jose State University for more than 30 years, Prof. Bob Rucker retired in December, 2020.
Many Bay Area media friends, colleagues and former students pay tribute, and congratulate Prof. Bob on the impact he has had on generations of journalists.
This video was produced by former students Ryan Kern, Kiet Do and Kevin Rule, and include comments from many others all across the United States.
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