April 26, 2024

Protecting the public's right to access government records and proceedings

America's Newspapers endorses Arkansas government transparency initiatives

America's Newspapers, a leading advocate for the nation's newspaper industry, enthusiastically endorses the Arkansas Government Disclosure Act of 2024 and the proposed Arkansas Government Disclosure Amendment. These initiatives represent a critical step forward in protecting the public's fundamental right to access government records and proceedings and to make government actions more transparent.

“A free press and robust local journalism rely on open records and open meetings to spur civic engagement, root out corruption, and hold officials answerable to the people. These critical Arkansas proposals recognize the important relationship between transparency and a healthy democracy.”

— Dean Ridings, CEO, America's Newspapers

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Honor your best editorial writers and columnists with a nomination for the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize

Contest fees increase after Tuesday

Submit your entries for the Carmage Walls Commentary Prize before contest fees go up after Tuesday

Awards for excellence in editorial writing (representing the view of the newspaper) and awards for excellence in column writing (columns written by one or more individuals) will be presented this October in Charleston, South Carolina, at the America's Newspapers Senior Leadership Conference. Win cash prizes and recognition!

Contest fees are just $25 per entry through the end of the day on Tuesday. Fees increase to $30 on Wednesday.

AI's impact on local news

Medill's Jeremy Gilbert addresses the Mega-Conference

AI is impacting the local news environment at a rapid speed. During a talk at the 2024 Mega-Conference, Jeremy Gilbert, professor and Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy at Medill, Northwestern University, highlighted the potential for AI to transform the news industry, enhance performance and maintain trust. Used poorly, though, he warned that "you can damage the thing that is most valuable to you and your brand communities, which is the trust they have in the journalism that you create."

Applications now being accepted for 2024 Newspaper Executive Development Program

Designed to give the next generation of newspaper leaders the opportunity to connect and gain valuable insights from industry leaders and their peers

Applications now are being accepted by America's Newspapers for the 2024 Newspaper Executive Development Program.

This educational program, open to members of America's Newspapers, is designed to develop leadership skills and a broader understanding of sustainable business models for local journalism organizations. The program is built to provide newspaper leaders exposure to a wide variety of topics in an engaging learning environment.

Industry news

New York saving newsroom jobs; Press Forward opens spigot

Tax credits for preserving and adding newsroom jobs are the most direct way for policymakers to help save local journalism. Four years after these credits were proposed in Congress, New York has approved a state-level version.

People news

Star Tribune promotes Kavita Kumar and adds Melissa Wind to leadership roles

The Star Tribune Media Company, the largest news organization in the Midwest, has announced the promotion of Kavita Kumar to community engagement director and the addition of Melissa Wind as head of philanthropic partnerships.

America's Newspapers calendar

October 18-19, 2024 - Family and Independent Owners Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina

October 20-22, 2024 - Senior Leadership Conference, Charleston, South Carolina

We have a new mailing address

Effectively immediately, America's Newspapers has a new mailing address for dues, invoice payments and membership. Our new address is:

America's Newspapers

2615 Centennial Blvd., Suite 200

Tallahassee, FL 32308-0592

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Keep up with the latest news, schedule of upcoming events and other information specifically for the newspaper industry. Learn more about America’s Newspapers at www.newspapers.org. And connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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