Reporters' workshop prepares journalists to cover the courts.

Twenty-four reporters from Florida's major daily newspapers and television stations attended The Florida Bar's recent 13th Annual Reporters' Workshop in St. Petersburg.

"An unprecedented partnership with the Poynter Institute allowed the journalists to attend two workshop sessions at Poynter, which were conducted by Poynter faculty members," said the Bar's Christi N. Cao, who coordinated the event.

"The Poynter Institute is recognized worldwide for helping journalists seek and achieve excellence," she said.

"The Florida Bar deeply appreciates the contributions of Poynter," said President Tod Aronovitz, who gave opening remarks at the event. "The true beneficiaries are the people of Florida who read and listen to news reports, expecting accurate and complete coverage of legal issues."

The Reporters' Workshop is a two-day program designed for journalists new to the courts and legal beats. This year the event was co-chaired by Judith Mercier and Rachel Fugate. The Florida Bar Media & Communications Law Committee, media outlets, and law firms also provided scholarships for selected reporters to attend the workshop.

Reporters received training from lawyers, judges, and other experienced journalists, and workshop sessions this year included Sunshine Law and Public Records, Reporting With the Internet -- Legal and Courts Beats, and How to Stay Out of Jail.

Cao said the program consistently receives high ratings by participating journalists, and this year was no exception.

"One participant said the workshop 'revitalized my energy in the biz' and...