Keeping the lines of communication open
Think of this as a manifesto for the future involving your local community newspaper.
Not all communities have dependable, trusted local media these days, and that's a dangerous problem across the country.
Too many people and communities are isolated, creating what are called "news deserts."
Sumter is fortunate in that regard, and we're proud to be part of an institution that has served this area since 1894.
The larger question – given the disruption of media and just about everything else in the world – is how does a local newspaper continue to serve the public, protect democracy, share history, promote advertisers and keep communities together amidst such information overload?
MORESNPA papers hold fast to protocols that guard against fake news
Like other mainstream newspapers, the Hope Star and the Times Free Press in Chattanooga hold fast to protocols that guard against the publication of fake news. Some require a minimum of three named sources for every story. Others forbid unnamed sources. Period.
With the introduction of "fake news" and "alternative facts" into the nation's lexicon, those reporting guidelines are what distinguish these newspapers from news outlets that operate without them.
From Alaska to Pennsylvania and all points in between, reputable newspapers strive to eschew fast and first to deliver only facts.
MOREtronc makes bid for owner of Chicago Sun-Times
tronc, Inc. has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire Wrapports Holdings, LLC, the owner of the Chicago Sun-Times and other media assets, including its minority ownership interest in digital content network business Aggrego, LLC, the alternative weekly Chicago Reader and syndicated column The Straight Dope.
The announcement comes as Wrapports, at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division, publishes notice today of its plan to sell the Sun-Times to a buyer that will continue to publish the paper.
MORE2016 Sigma Delta Chi Award honorees
The Society of Professional Journalists has announced the recipients of the 2016 Sigma Delta Chi Awards for excellence in journalism.
MOREAP, ExpertFile collaborate to connect newsrooms with expert sources
The Associated Press and ExpertFile have announced that they will work together to make ExpertFile's online directory of subject matter experts available to newsrooms.
MOREResearch for today's media environment
Since so many in the media industry today are asking their staff to do more multi-tasking, the research strategies outlined in this article may help you with your marketing and advertising sales research.
Whether your research needs are for promotion and branding initiatives, sales presentations, proposals or a request for some quick stats, start by asking these questions.
MOREReport: AI, influencer marketing and millennials are top public relations trends in 2017
Machine learning, influencer marketing and a focus on millennials are the top three trends that will drive public relations research this year, according to a new white paper from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. This is the College's first annual report on public relations research trends.
MOREJudge's ruling a win for press freedom
I never imagined that my first Herald-Leader commentary would involve fighting for this newspaper's free-press protections. Yet it does.
Last Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Karen K. Caldwell, issued a momentous pro-First Amendment ruling in the lawsuit the Herald-Leader was forced to file against the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
She stopped a new city-county ordinance that would have banned driveway distribution of free newspapers and other printed material from going into effect on May 1. City officials have not decided whether to appeal the decision. If they are wise stewards of precious tax dollars, they won't go down that road.
The ordinance, which includes a $200 penalty for each violation, is likely unconstitutional because it would have the effect of cutting off circulation of our free Community News.
MORELexington paper honored with Ad Council's Crystal Bell Award
The Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader was recognized with the Ad Council's Crystal Bell award last week at the News Media Alliance's mediaXchange 2017 in New Orleans, La. Each year, this award is presented to a news organization for its extraordinary contributions to the Ad Council's public service campaigns.
MORESNPA partners with AdCellerant to provide free Google training and certifications
SNPA has established a strategic partnership with AdCellerant that will provide FREE training and Google certifications to employees of SNPA member newspapers. AdCellerant is an ad tech/digital marketing managed solutions startup based in Denver, Colo.
SNPA's partnership with AdCellerant will allow association members to have free access to several Google trainings, including Academy for Ads. These are training modules across a variety of different Google platforms, including AdWords, Google Analytics, Mobile, Video, eCommerce, etc.
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We have a new website:
www.newspapers.org
America's Newspapers – the association formed from the merger of the Inland Press Association and Southern Newspaper Publishers Association – was ceremonially launched October 6 at its inaugural annual meeting in Chicago.
Dean Ridings will be its chief executive officer, effective Nov. 11.
America's Newspapers unites two of the oldest press associations to form one of the industry's largest advocates for newspapers and the many benefits to their communities, civil life, freedom of expression and democracy.
"Newspaper journalism provides a voice for the voiceless, challenges elected officials, shines a light on government, calls for change when change is needed, and exposes corruption and injustice," said Chris Reen, the president and publisher of The Gazette in Colorado Springs who will serve as the first president of America's Newspapers.
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New association launches today;
SNPA-Inland merger is complete
A new association formed by the consolidation of SNPA and the Inland Press Association was officially launched today. The name of the new association will be announced on Oct. 6 at the association's first annual meeting in Chicago.
Edward VanHorn, SNPA's executive director, said that the merger unites two of the country's oldest press associations into a progressive new organization that will use its bigger and more powerful voice to be an unapologetic advocate for newspapers.
MoreSNPA's staunchest advocate honored for 43 years of service
Edward VanHorn, who went to work for SNPA 43 years ago straight out of the University of North Carolina, will be honored at next week's SNPA-Inland Annual Meeting as this year's recipient of the Frank W. Mayborn Leadership Award. The award is named for the Texas newspaperman who helped shape SNPA in the early 1950s and served as president from 1961 to 1962.
"He's been that silent leader behind the newspaper industry and SNPA," said SNPA President PJ Browning, president and publisher of The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C. "We're honored to have the opportunity to give him this award as he's retiring. We thought it was very fitting."
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