FREE TRAINING FOR REPORTERS WHO COVER LOCAL GOVERNMENT!

Time is running out to nominate reporters and editors for the FREE John L.S. and William B. Northrop Local Government Boot Camp. The two-day conference, held April 22 and 23 at PNA headquarters in Harrisburg, will include a discussion on how the state budget deficit affects local government, tips from award-winning journalists on getting the stories behind the meetings; information on using the Freedom of Information Act and CAR techniques to shed light on local activities; keys to understanding access issues, and more.

Attendance is free to those accepted. Fellowships include overnight lodging and some meals. DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FEB. 6. 

To apply, please send a letter from the prospective participant explaining his/her interest; a letter of support from the editor and a resume, to Northrop Government Boot Camp, c/o PNA Foundation, 3899 North Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110.

The program is made possible through a generous endowment from the Observer Publishing Company, Washington, Pa.

Ed Condra named 'Publisher of the Year' within Journal Register Group.

[CLICK FOR MORE]

Inquirer, Daily News appoint Astrid Garcia as senior VP

Philadelphia Newspapers, publisher of the Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer, appointed Astrid Garcia, most recently of the San Jose Mercury News, as the company's senior vice president for human resources, labor and operations.

[CLICK FOR MORE]

Lancaster County Weeklies introduces new sales team leaders 
Lancaster County Weeklies recently announced the appointments of Dave Colton to retail advertising manager for The Ephrata Review and the Lititz Record Express, and Beverly Kent as sales development manager for all of the company's products, including Susquehanna Printing and Lancaster Farming.

Kent was previously advertising manager for The Ephrata Review. Colton was previously general manager of The Shopping News of Lancaster County.

Inquirer editor takes position in Indianapolis 
Neill Borowski, a regional editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer, has been named assistant managing editor for local news at The Indianapolis Star. 

Borowski is deputy New Jersey editor for the Inquirer. He previously held other positions: director of computer-assisted reporting and analysis, assistant director of circulation and business reporter. 

Borowski, 50, co-wrote a six-part series on tax abuses in the nonprofit sector that was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1994. 

PNA unable to reschedule Government Affairs Conference
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association had to cancel its Government Affairs Conference Jan. 27-28 due to winter weather that would have prevented the attendance of many members and speakers. 

This year's conference will not be rescheduled. Click below for important information for those who had registered for the conference.

[CLICK FOR MORE]

Judges, thanks for your time, efforts
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association Foundation wants to thank all of our member newspapers who sent volunteers to judge the New York Press Association newspaper contest yesterday. 

We were thrilled by the turnout. About 50 editors, reporters, photographers, ad directors, graphic artists and others showed up, making it a smooth and meaningful judging process. We know what a tough week it has been dealing with weather-related issues at your own newspapers. Thank you so much for your tremendous support.

We’ll help you make sense of the telemarketing confusion – and you won’t even have to leave your desk to learn the latest. 

Register now for our teleconference on the subject at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 3. 

Media law counsel Teri Henning will discuss the latest federal telemarketing rules, the Pennsylvania telemarketing requirements, and what you need to know to comply with both sets of laws. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions as well. The session will be conducted as a teleconference, with supporting information made available on the web. 

Registration is $40. To register e-mail teresas@pa-news.org.

Are coroner’s reports public records? The county coroner is claiming that it cannot release a report because of HIPAA. Is this true?

Teri Henning explains the requirements of the Coroner's Act and the effect of HIPAA on these public records. 

[CLICK FOR MORE]

Develop your leaders through PNA's Executive Training Network
The PNA Foundation, in cooperation with Penn State’s College of Communications, is offering the Executive Training Network for top newspaper managers from any department who want to learn the skills needed to advance their careers. 

Topics to be covered include understanding your organization, showing leadership, hiring well, budgeting, balancing competing interests and managing through change. Speakers will include top publishers from throughout the state as well as management experts.

Classes will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 5, April 2, April 30, May 14 and June 25 at PNA headquarters in Harrisburg. 

Cost for the program is $375. Interested individuals should mail a resume and brief letter of recommendation from their supervisor BY FEBRUARY 13 to The Executive Training Network, PNA Foundation, 3899 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110. Questions? Contact Connie McNamara at the PNA Foundation.

Take a fresh look at the First Amendment with Ken Paulson of the Freedom Forum 
The Pennsylvania Newspaper Association invites you to attend this special multimedia program taking an insightful look at the amendment that protects Americans' fundamental freedoms. The presentation is hosted by Ken Paulson, the executive director of the First Amendment Center of the Freedom Forum, a former newspaper editor,  and writer of First Amendment columns. 


[CLICK FOR MORE ON AMERICA EAST PROGRAMS]

Survey refutes FCC claims, reports importance of newspapers to public as news source
A new national survey asking where people turn for local news reveals newspapers are more than twice as important a source than the Federal Communications Commission determined when it relaxed its media ownership rules.


[CLICK FOR MORE]

SPJ announces annual contest
The statewide Keystone Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has announced its annual Spotlight Awards Contest. This contest awards the best reporting, photography and design (tabloid and broadsheet). Top awards include the prestigious Spotlight Award for open government reporting and the award for the best overall weekly newspaper.

The contest is judged by another state's SPJ chapter. The awards are presented at PA Press Conference May 22.

[CLICK TO DOWNLOAD RULES AND ENTRY FORM]

Tribune, Journal Register report results
The sale of the company's share in the Golf Channel and a slight ad revenue increase helped Tribune post a 75 percent increase in earnings for the fourth quarter.

Journal Register reported a 15 percent increase in net income, partially due to increases in advertising revenue.

Media General, Pulitzer and other announcements included.

[CLICK FOR MORE]

Media supports Bush campaign  
President George Bush has received more in campaign donations from the broadcast industry than any other federal candidate since Jan. 1, 2003. He took in $158,450 - more than 10 percent of the industry's $1.4 million in donations for the 2004 campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan research group. (From the Philadelphia Inquirer)

Examining newspaper publishers' political contributions, Editor & Publisher reported: Richard Scaife, the publisher of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tops the list with a $25,000 donation to the Republican National Committee last July, while also giving $2,000 to George Bush's re-election campaign and $4,000 to the U.S. Senate bid of Pennsylvania Republican Congressman Pat Toomey.

Hollinger board moves against Black's sale proposal 
Hollinger International Inc. fired back at its controlling shareholder Conrad Black Jan. 26, taking legal steps to block his deal to sell the company to the Barclay brothers of Britain.

[CLICK FOR MORE]