ACES 2015

Illegal immigrant or undocumented worker? Is the use of tribal language and images for sports team names, mascots and logos acceptable? Why do people say African American, but not Welsh American? Issues of race and the media aren't new. But evolving social climates and the rapid expansion of instant communication has brought them into even greater focus. This panel will discuss common concerns and offer some advice for dealing with racial sensitivity in your content.

Stories about mental health and suicide are challenging for journalists: When and what should we report and how should we write it? What language should we avoid? Is anything off limits? Is your publication covering these topics as public health problems or punchlines? This workshop will provide editors with facts, figures and tools for getting it right, and discuss why accuracy matters so much. We'll look at some case studies and examine how copy editors might have once again saved the day.

This session examines ways to write about disability and mental health issues with clarity and respect. We'll go beyond what's "politically correct" and focus on the most useful and accurate ways to describe disabilities, and how to discuss or refer to disability within a larger context. We'll also look at what "person-first language" means, and how to give feedback to authors around disability and mental health coverage.

Since 2011, Elizabeth Clark has been asking her editing students the same question: "What words are AP and other stylebooks missing that they should have?" Nine semesters' worth of responses have been collected, including expressions of surprise and frustration. This session will offer insights from our rising journalists on some of the terminology they expect to see mainstreamed in company and government-funded style guides, as well as in AP and other industry-standard stylebooks. Their expectations exemplify the diversity and technological progress within our society.

Language and terminology can be sensitive and difficult things when writing about the LGBT community and issues—no matter your medium. Sometimes the answers aren’t clear; sometimes they’re not easy. But this panel will offer some tips and guidance and, more importantly, an open forum to ask questions.