Newsplex takes AMBER Alert training to Birmingham

The IFRA Newsplex at the University of South Carolina recently collaborated with the Alabama Broadcasters Association to provide a training session for journalists and law enforcement officers in Birmingham. The course, AMBER and the media, was held at the Sheraton hotel and was led by Newsplex Director Randy Covington and USC professor Hugh Munn.

The class consisted of more than 50 journalists and law enforcement officers and provided in-depth modules aimed at improving communication between the two when it comes to releasing information in about children who have been abducted. Modules included new ways to release information to the public, case studies from actual AMBER Alerts, and an interactive scenario utilizing a wireless voting system to judge if or when an AMBER Alert is justified.

Sharon Tinsley, President of the Alabama Broadcasters Assocation, communicated her thoughts regarding the course.

“The Alabama Broadcasters Association was excited to work with Newsplex to bring AMBER ALERT training to the state. The response from law enforcement and broadcasters was tremendous. We feel like we’ve all taken a huge step together toward our goal of keeping children safe!”

The IFRA Newsplex at the University of South Carolina has been conducting AMBER Alert sessions in association with the United States Department of Justice and Fox Valley Technical College since fall of 2006 in Columbia, SC.