Check out the latest on the federal shield law.
Patriot-News Editorial Page Editor Dale Davenport and Philadelphia Inquirer Managing Editor Anne Gordon both testified at the hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Oct. 19.

[LINK TO HEARING TESTIMONY]
Dale Davenport, editorial page editor, The Patriot-News
Anne Gordon, managing editor, Philadelphia Inquirer

Senators mull media's role as corruption watchdog
U.S. senators Oct. 19 struggled to balance the media's role as a watchdog against corruption with the Justice Department's opposition to legislation that would allow journalists to keep their sources a secret.

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At Senate hearing, journalists seek federal shield law
Granting that her own example might be problematic, the New York Times reporter jailed for refusing to testify in a White House leak probe said Oct. 19 that the case had hampered news-gathering and urged Congress to pass legislation restricting when prosecutors can seek information from journalists.

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Paper’s lawyers ask FEC to drop GOP complaint
The Federal Election Commission should reject a state Republican Party complaint that a Times-Tribune marketing campaign was an illegal contribution to Robert P. Casey’s U.S. senate bid and promoted his election, lawyers for the newspaper and Casey campaign argue in a response.

The “Better Together” marketing campaign, which featured a prototype front page with the headline “Casey to run for Senate,” falls within an exemption to the federal campaign finance law for legitimate press activities and doesn’t advocate Mr. Casey’s election anyway, a newspaper lawyer contends in a letter to the FEC general counsel.

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Inquirer seeks ties that bind a community
The Philadelphia Inquirer invited 62 African American women from the Philadelphia region for tea and converstation to learn how the paper can better reflect them in its pages. The women sat down to talk with the paper's reporters and editors and photographers about their lives, their concerns and the issues they saw in their communities.

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La Voz to Serve Reading-area Hispanic Community
Berks-Mont Newspapers, headquartered in Boyertown, Pa., announced that La Voz, a Hispanic (all-Spanish) weekly newspaper, will begin publication on Oct. 20.

James C. Webb, Berks-Mont publisher, said that La Voz will be the company’s ninth community weekly product and sixth in Berks County.

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Inquirer's Melvin goes to Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as editor
Chuck Melvin has been named Assistant Managing Editor/Business for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Melvin, who currently is second in command of the business news department at The Philadelphia Inquirer, brings 30 years of journalism experience to his new post in Milwaukee, where he will oversee business news coverage. Melvin plans to begin his new job in mid-November.

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Please welcome PNA's new Foundation Director Kathryn Sosbe
After a summer-long search, the PNA has named Kathryn Sosbe (pronounced SAHS-be) its new Foundation Director. She started the position on Oct. 10.

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Get Your Motor Running...at the PNA Annual Convention
In a city known for Harleys, help your newspaper hit the open highway towards success at the PNA Annual Convention, Nov. 2-4, at the Yorktowne Hotel, York. A slate of outstanding and valuable sessions have been planned to meet the needs of today's publishers and general managers. From Tom Curley to Dean Singleton to Mark Hawley and Sammy Papert, we have experts and industry leaders to educate and excite you.

Don't miss Tom Curley, president and CEO of The Associated Press. Curley is scheduled to provide the keynote presentation on Thursday, Nov. 3, immediately following the PNA General Membership Meeting. Formerly president and publisher of USA TODAY, Curley is an experienced, knowledgeable and insightful speaker. And, he's available to you. Be there!

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PNA Foundation Auction: Buy your raffle tickets now!
Nov. 2, 2005
The Yorktowne Hotel, York, Pa.
An entertaining "Harley-themed" night is planned for this year’s annual auction to benefit the PNA Foundation. Come dressed in your finest leather and be ready to bid!

Purchase your raffle tickets ahead of time for the PNA Annual Auction. Each ticket costs $100 and will give you a one-in-20 chance of winning one of five terrific prizes, including hotel accommodations to the Winter Management meeting in beautiful Riviera Maya, Mexico. Only 100 tickets will be sold so hurry and order yours now! Contact Tracy Metz (717) 703-3003 for more info.

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Disaster Site Reporting: What Every Journalist Should Know
Nov. 10, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
PNA headquarters
We'll cover a range of issues such as the recent updates to the emergency management system and what this means for journalists.

Speakers will include first responders, volunteers, agency professionals and others who speak from their own on-site experiences at disasters such as Katrina, the World Trade Center, Flight 93, etc. A member of Pennsylvania's Task Force One Search and Rescue Team will share his recent experiences at Katrina in New Orleans.

For more information, contact Leah Young at leahy@pa-news.org or (717) 703-3091.

America East Print Quality Contest under way
Put your paper's print quality to the test and enter it in this year's Print Quality Contest. Newspapers printed by offset, flexo and letterpress are eligible and are evaluated on black ink laydown, color ink laydown, color registration, halftone quality, page alignment and overall print appearance.

The Print Quality Contest is held every year in conjunction with America East. Winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony on March 29, 2006, at the conclusion of the Print Quality sessions at America East in Hershey, Pa. The contest is sponsored by Flint Ink and US Ink.

Registration deadline is Nov. 18, 2005. Contact Elissa Doyle at elissad@pa-news.org or (717) 703-3069 with questions.

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Intro to Adobe InDesign and Creating, Preflighting & Correcting PDF Files
Dec. 1, PNA headquarters
Cost: $130 for both sessions (or $70 for each)
Taught by Kevin Slimp, Director, Institute of Newspaper Technology

Session 1 (Class size limited to the first 14 registrations)
Intro to InDesign for Newspapers (hands on)
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Session 2
Creating, Preflighting & Correcting PDF Files
1:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

For registration and seminar information please contact Teresa Shaak at (717) 703-3012 or teresas@pa-news.org. Please be sure to indicate if you plan to attend the full day session or partial day sessions.

From the Hotline: 
Can an elected official lawfully abstain from voting without explanation?

PNA's General Counsel Teri Henning answers this question.

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Use this link to visit the Headlines & Deadlines page which groups and archives Teri Henning's weekly 'From the Hotline' columns. 

[HOTLINE ARCHIVE]

Soaring Gas Prices Hit Carriers and Distributors Hard
With the recent spike in gas prices, newspapers across the country have been forced to reevaluate their spending on delivery.

John Murray, vice president of circulation for the Newspaper Association of America, says the spike will affect newspapers in two ways: in the costs of maintaining independent contractors, and internal operation expenses.

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