GateHouse partners with Search Initiatives
GateHouse Media partnered with Search Initiatives to provide search engine optimization for the content of its daily and weekly newspapers. The service allows online readers to search more efficiently for content on the major search engines.

Search Initiatives, based in Nashua, N.H., provides search technology, ecommerce, and search engine optimization products to newspaper publishers and local businesses.

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PASSOPENRECORDS.ORG: Blog for open records!

Lewistown Sentinel: Newspapers must champion people's right to know

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Observer-Reporter: Pushing the 'public' in public records

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For more open records editorials, visit: passopenrecords.org

From the Legal Hotline:
A borough administrator will be retiring early due to illness. I’ve requested a copy of the severance package approved by borough council but the borough manager has refused to release it citing privacy concerns. Isn’t the severance package a public record?

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Use this link to visit the PNA Legal Department's archive of "From the Legal Hotline" columns.  

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Lavin leaves Philly Inqurier for Forbes.com
Forbes.com, home page for the world's business leaders, announced on Oct. 1 that Carl H. Lavin joined the company as managing editor, reporting to Forbes.com Editor Paul Maidment.

Lavin joins Forbes.com from The Philadelphia Inquirer where he was deputy managing editor for online and multimedia. Previously he was responsible for foreign, national, metro, science, health and business news. He joined The Inquirer in 2004, after 20 years at The New York Times, including six years as deputy Washington editor. At The Times, he was also deputy metro editor, graphics editor and an assistant national editor.

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Tribune-Democrat Publisher Voccio to step down
Chris Voccio is stepping down after more than three years as publisher of The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat to form his own company.

“I am going to embark on a new career,” Voccio said in his memo to employees.

His resignation is effective Oct. 17.

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Don't forget to celebrate National Newspaper Week, Oct. 7-13
The 2007 National Newspaper Week Kit is now posted, courtesy of Kentucky Press Association. This year's theme is "PUBLIC NOTICES IN NEWSPAPERS ...Because good government depends on it." Visit this site to download logos, columns, editorial cartoons and display ads:

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Foundation Update: From hunting to baseball
Don't miss the upcoming Foundation Auction, to be held at the PNA Annual Convention in Hershey. And hat's off for a successfull town hall meeting in Coudersport, where the future of hunting in Pennsylvania's woods was discussed.

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Foux wins 'Circulation Executive of the Year'
Congratulations to Michael Foux of The (Allentown) Morning Call for being named Circulation Executive of the Year, an honor that is part of the PNA's Circulation Excellence Awards contest. To read details of the contest:

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Close Game. Winning Lineup.
PNA 83rd Annual Convention: Oct. 24-26
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa.

The Value of Newspapers
Where do newspapers stand? What’s the future hold? What is the worth, good and bad, of newspapers? Ever interesting and ever controversial Lauren Rich Fine, a former media analyst for Merrill Lynch, will share her thoughts during the first pitch keynote presentation on Thursday, Oct. 25.

Like the American tradition of baseball, newspapers must weather the changes and challenges of today to bat into the next inning. The speakers and sessions at our annual publishers convention will not only help you to stay in the game but also grab a competitive edge. For more information on convention sessions, events and registration:

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And, don’t forget...a block of spa appointments has been reserved for your spouse or special guest. Phone the Hershey Spa directly at (717) 520-5888 to make your reservation. For more information:

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PNA Annual General Membership Meeting
Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m.
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pa.
Come learn about PNA's latest plans and accomplishments. Breakfast will be served at 8 a.m. and the meeting will commence at 8:30 a.m.

Please RSVP to Rae Elise Williard at (717) 703-3062 or raeelisew@pa-news.org if you plan to attend.

Oct. 16-18: Power Reporting - Harrisburg
A hands-on, practical training for journalists, focusing on daily and deadline reporting, not long-term projects. If you can't attend all three days, ask about a reduced rate for one or two days only!

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Oct. 24: Power Pricing for Newspapers - Hershey
Advertising and marketing directors, learn how to add value to your current advertising packages.

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Nov. 12: PNA on the Road - Lehigh Valley - Bethlehem
Lehigh Valley, the PNA is coming to you! This full-day seminar offers something for everyone.

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Nov. 28: Sharon Johnson Memorial Workshop - Harrisburg
The future of sports writing is now! Learn valuable tips for working with photographers to truly capture important competitions and events.

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Dec. 7: Multimedia Skills and Packages - Harrisburg
In today's journalism, it's practically a requirement to incorporate multimedia elements. Learn the basic tools and techniques for audio, video and slideshows, as well as how to set up an online package in the early stages of reporting a story.

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Advertisers push FEC on nonpolitical ads featuring candidates
Advertisers have told the Federal Election Commission that the Supreme Court's decision on electioneering communications was a broad assertion of First Amendment rights and should not be narrowed by proposed FEC rules meant to implement that decision.

Oct. 1 was the deadline for comment on the FEC's proposed rulemaking, prompted by a High Court decision that the ban on using corporate or union funds for so-called electioneering TV and radio ads in the run-up to primaries and federal elections was being misapplied.

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Federal Shield Law, cameras in court, make progress on Capitol Hill
On Sept. 27 legislators made progress on Capitol Hill dealing with two issues affecting journalists: cameras in the courts, and a proposed federal shield law.

During a morning mark-up session of the “Free Flow of Information Act of 2007” (S.2035) the Senate Judiciary Committee dealt with a number of last minute amendments that would have watered-down efforts to provide the first federal media shield law. The proposed legislation would provide a qualified privilege to journalists from being compelled to reveal information and/or the identities of their confidential sources except under certain conditions. The National Press Photographers Association supports this measure along with a coalition of more than fifty other news organizations.

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