This episode of “Pitch Live with Amy Summers” podcast features Gary Green, executive director of the Student Press Law Center — the nation’s only legal organization dedicated solely to protecting the free press rights of student journalists. A longtime champion of press freedom and storytelling, Gary joined the Student Press Law Center in 2023 after leading the Center for Sustainable Journalism at Kennesaw State University, where he launched “Fresh Take Georgia,” a student-powered news service covering statewide and national issues. Previously, he guided award-winning multimedia coverage as digital director of the University of Florida’s Innovation News Center and deputy news director for WUFT, the NPR and PBS affiliate for north central Florida. His career also includes nearly two decades as a photojournalist at outlets like the Orlando Sentinel and Akron Beacon Journal. Gary holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University and a Master of Arts in Mass Communication from the University of Florida, grounding his professional journey in both artistic storytelling and journalistic rigor. From the newsroom to the classroom to the courtroom, his life’s work has been dedicated to empowering the next generation of reporters and defending the First Amendment rights of student journalists nationwide.

Key pitching takeaways from Gary Green on this episode of “Pitch Live”:

• Anticipate industry shifts: adapt early, build new skills, and stay relevant.
• Localize big national stories to make them resonate regionally.
• Always have a backup pitch ready in case your first isn’t accepted.
• Do your homework: at minimum two calls of research before making a pitch.
• Build a balanced “news diet” from diverse outlets: social, legacy, digital, broadcast, local, and national.
• Diversify your sources: cover both sides of the story to eliminate bias and earn credibility.
• Be civically engaged: know how the government works and how to request public records.
• Seek new mentors at every career stage to keep growing and leveling up.

Join Amy Summers for #PitchLive with #PitchPro Gary Green to access Gary’s pitching strategies and success stories that prove the power of #ThePitch ☎️🤩

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Website: https://splc.org

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