Official Publication of the Arizona Newspapers Association for distribution to all employees of ANA-member newspapers A community newspaper for community newspaper people
U of A j-school goes global
FEBRUARY 2007
A N Ag r a m s
Page 7
Arizona legislators, newspaper leaders break bread, talk shop The ANA Day @ the Capitol was a huge success! Over 120 members of the Arizona Senate and House of Representatives and their staffs joined Arizona Newspapers Association members at the first annual legislative luncheon.
The luncheon was an informal affair. It’s purpose was to introduce new and returning legislators to the community newspapers, and let them know what issues matter. The luncheon was held in the lobby of the Arizona Capitol
The ravenous crowd paused for pleasantries between bites.
Speaker of the House Jim Weiers and Senior Executive Assistant Becca Farmer enjoy a delicious lunch.
Times building and was catered by Alexi’s. “I just came for the good food,” said Richard Haddad with a grin. Haddad, publisher of the Payson Round Up, enjoyed having a chance to sit down and speak casually with legislators and their staff. “The staff helped me to better understand what the legislators face every day,” he said. “They also allowed me the opportunity to inform them about the challenges we sometimes come up against as members of the media,” said Haddad. Democratic representative Tom Prezelski found himself swapping old tales of libel and corruption with the party at his table, while Wicken-
burg Sun reporter Janet Deltufo had fun just sitting back and listening to everything that was going on. “I didn’t R.S.V.P. because I didn’t think I’d have the time to come by,” said Republican Senator Pamela Gorman. “But now I’m glad I did,” she said. Events like the ANA Day @ the Capitol help foster a relationship between law makers and the newspaper industry. Even though the 2007 session has just barely begun, there is already a proposed bill which would reduce the publication requirements for delinquent tax sales conducted by County Board of Supervisors. And ANA is all over it.
Network programs are hidden treasure for newspapers “Newspapers have an opportunity to make money, and they’re not taking advantage of it,” said Network Advertising Manager Sharon Schwartz. Schwartz has been at the helm of the Arizona Newspapers Association’s two network ad programs for the past five years. Like a newspaper, the majority of ANA’s income is generated from advertising. Revenue from network ads represents more than 75 percent of ANA’s operating budget. Arizona Classified Advertising Network (AzCAN) ads are classified ads that are published in 92 Arizona newspapers. The 2by2 & 2by4 Display Ad Network offers advertisers an affordable way to reach over 1 million readers with display ads. Every time a newspaper sells a statewide classified or display ad, 50 percent and 33 percent of that ANAgrams Arizona Newspapers Association 1001 N. Central Avenue, Suite 670 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1947
revenue (respectively) belongs to the newspaper that sold the ad. The other half supports ANA. “Newspapers can make a profit selling these ads,” said Schwartz. In addition to keeping half of the sale revenue, newspapers can also participate in a revenue pool share. Most pool share payouts cover the cost of membership dues, and sometimes newspapers earn a profit from these shares. There are also bonus programs throughout the year to help keep everyone motivated. Network advertising gives smaller businesses the advantage of advertising that fits their budget. “I always enjoy finding someone on the staff who understands this concept and appreciates the value of our programs,” she said. “Selling network ads benefits your newspaper and your association,” said Schwartz. “What are you waiting for?” “PRSRT STD” U.S. POSTAGE PAID PHOENIX ARIZONA PERMIT NO. 3429
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Senate President Tim Bee, ANA lobbyist John Moody, and Senate Communications Advisor Laura Devany talk about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness while they wait in line.
ANA/Ad Services Board of Directors President Pam Mox One-Year Director/Non-Daily Green Valley News and Sun (520) 625-5511.................... pmox@gvnews.com First Vice President John Wolfe One-Year Director/Non-Daily Independent Newspapers Inc. (Phoenix) (480) 497-0048..............................jsw11@aol.com Second Vice President Don Rowley Two-Year Director/Daily Arizona Daily Sun (Flagstaff) (928) 774-4545...................drowley@pulitzer.net Third Vice President Terry Alvarez Two-Year Director/At-large East Valley Tribune (Mesa) (480) 898-6582...............talvarez@aztrib.com Secretary/Treasurer Michael Chihak One-Year Director/Daily Tucson Citizen (520) 806-7735.. mchihak@tucsoncitizen.com Directors Tom Arviso Two-Year Director/Non-Daily Navajo Times (Window Rock) (928) 871-7359................................................ ............... tomarviso@thenavajotimes.com Ward Bushee Two-Year Director/Daily Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (602) 444-8087............................................... .......... ward.bushee@arizonarepublic.com Teri Hayt Two-Year Director/At-large Arizona Daily Star (Tucson) (520) 573-4220..............terihayt@tucson.com Dick Larson One-Year Director/Daily Western Newspapers Inc. (928) 634-5898... dlarson@westernnews.com Elvira Espinoza Two-Year Director/At-large La Voz (Phoenix) (602) 444-3835............................................... .............. elvira.ortiz@lavozpublishing.com Mike Quinn Past President Today’s News-Herald (928) 453-4237....... quinn@havasunews.com
Arizona Newspapers Foundation Board of Directors The foundation is an educational, charitable nonprofit corporation for education. Its primary mission is to teach newspaper people and teachers how to use a newspaper in a classroom. Its goal in 2007 is to become revenue independent. Chairman of the Board Josie Cantu-Weber, Tucson Citizen (928) 453-4237.....jweber@tucsoncitizen.com Vice Chairman Joann Carranza (520) 730-4298.............. carranza57@cox.net Treasurer Lee Knapp, The Sun (Yuma) (928) 183-3333...........lknapp@yumasun.com Secretary Pam Mox, Green Valley News & Sun (520) 625-5511.................... pmox@gvnews.com Directors L. Alan Cruikshank, Fountain Hills Times (480) 837-1925..................alan@fhtimes.com Steve Doig, Cronkite School of Journalism, Arizona State University (480) 965-0798...............steve.doig@asu.edu Bret McKeand, Independent Newspapers, Inc. (623) 972-6101................... SCIbret@aol.com John Wolfe, Independent Newspapers Inc. (480) 497-0048..............................jsw11@aol.com Jeff Weigand, Southwest Valley Sun (623) 386-7077.... jweigand@swvalleysun.com
ANAgrams is published every month by the Arizona Newspapers Association 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 670 Phoenix, AZ 85004-1947 (602) 261-7655 • Fax: (602) 261-7525 www.ananews.com www.publicnoticeads.com
FEBRUARY 2007
Year has begun with a bang By John Fearing ANA Executive Director
Legal Services
As you can see elsewhere in this issue, the ANA Day @ the Capitol event came off famously – including sunshine and warm weather which allowed us to lunch outside in the shade very comfortably. Almost all of the Legislative Leadership attended as did many other senators and representatives and their staff. Newspaper publishers, editors and others attended in fairly good numbers too, which was our big concern. We appreciate your support. The legislative session is of course off to a rumbling start. ANA isn’t pushing an agenda this year, having successfully lobbied the Public Access Ombudsman bill through the last session. But we remain ever vigilant and are following a public notice bill or two, as well as a minor open meetings change. Meanwhile back in the office, Paula Casey is working on the Spring Marketing Workshop, April 13, at the Chaparral Suites Resort. Mark your calendar for this important
meeting. Cindy Meaux has been very busy with ad placement, sending members nearly $200,000 in business. And that’s just January. Don Ullmann and Sharon Schwartz are gearing up with another promotion to help members increase revenue through their sales of Arizona Classified Advertising Network (AzCAN) ads and 2by2 Display Advertising Network ads. Speaking of ads, the Excellence in Advertising Competition for 2007 is underway. We are waiting for your entries. Remember, if you don’t enter the ad contest, you can’t compete for Newspaper of the Year, even if you win a majority of the news contest awards. And finally, many thanks to our newest staff member, Perri Collins, for taking on monthly publication of ANAgrams, and the weekly “This Week @ ANA” e-mail newsletter. If you aren’t on the mailing list, send her a message via e-mail at p.collins@ananews.com.
Marketing, Member Revenue
Government / Public Policy
Objectives ANA revenue enhancements; Assist members with political advertising sales; ANA directory; Statewide online classified ads; Public Notice promotion; Effective communications to members; Digital archiving of newspapers; Recognize advertising business partners in ad awards contest; The Committee Dick Larson, Chairman, Western Newspapers; Steve Stevens, Today’s News Herald, Lake Havasu City; Lisa Miller, The Sun (Yuma); Mark Bollin, Green Valley News & Sun; Terry Alvarez, East Valley Tribune (Mesa); Blake Dewitt, Western Newspapers; Cindy Meaux, Ad Placement Manager, ANA; Sharon Schwartz, Network Advertising Manager, ANA; John Alexander, Foothills Focus.
First Amendment Coalition
Objectives Provide journalists from member newspapers with educational information and a legal hot line for access issues. ANA is responsible for 12 seats on this board of directors. ANA Appointees Dan Burnette, Arizona Capitol Times; Joseph Reaves, Arizona Republic; Terry Ross, Yuma Daily Sun; Josie Cantu-Weber, Tucson Citizen; David Bodney, Steptoe & Johnson; Ben Hanson, Daily Courier; Linda Wienandt, Associated Press; Mark Kimble, Tucson Citizen, and Kevin Kemper, University of Arizona.
Education Task Force
Objectives Conventions: Spring Marketing Workshop in May (Wed-Fri) and Fall Convention in October (ThurSat), First two days of both are computer training and half-day of sessions eliminated; Regional Education – Need trainers; On-line training -- too expensive? List Serves for various professions; NIE – fund raising; curriculum; marketing; Update Public notice laws and Ad guidelines; Constitution Day Sept.. 17 – create NIE material; NIE Training at conventions; half-day session; NIE Regional North/South full day NIE training. Additional volunteers needed. The Committee John Wolfe, Chairman, Green Valley News & Sun; Michael Chihak, Tucson Citizen; Pat Oso, Statewide NIE Coordinator, ANF; Paula Casey, Business Manager, ANA.
Objectives Build on 2003, including creating a formal plan for 2005/6; Re-craft Legislative Alert; Note key legislation that requires editor/publisher calls; Simplify way editors/publishers can send an e-mail to key legislators on issues; Create a grid noting each legislator’s committee assignments; Match legislative leadership to Editors & Publishers; Host Legislative Breakfast in January 2006 instead of Legislative Lunch in Fall; Further build allies/ government access groups; Continue “Public Access Counselor” legislation and emphasize “Training;” Support banning suits against public records requestors. The Committee Teri Hayt, Chairman; Independent Newspapers (Phoenix); Michael Chihak, Tucson Citizen; Janet DelTufo, Wickenburg Sun; Melanie Larson, The Explorer (Tucson); Teri Hayt, Arizona Daily Star (Tucson); David J. Bodney, Steptoe & Johnson, Phoenix; Ward Bushee, Arizona Republic (Phoenix); Tom Arviso, The Navajo Times (Window Rock); Kevin Kemper, University of Arizona; John Moody, ANA Legislative Counsel, Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, Phoenix.
Awards Committee
Objectives Study contest entries and develop an online contest submission form; Study and reshape Hall of Fame criteria, make them less subjective and Improve bios; Work with the University of Arizona to improve the Zenger Award; FOI – broader distribution of news release to improve publicity; Improve ad agency category. The Committee Don Rowley, Chairman, The Sun (Yuma); Perri Collins, ANA; Paula Casey; Business Manager, ANA
Finance Committee
Objectives This committee reviews the monthly financial reports and questions the staff on budget variances, in order to report to the full board. It also is responsible for working with the staff to develop the annual budget for ANA and Ad Services. The Committee The secretary-treasurer, past president, and one additional director are appointed to the Finance Committee each year. Currently Michael Chihak, Tucson Citizen, is chairman; Mike Quinn, Past President, and Terry Alvarez, East Valley Tribune.
Another benefit of ANA membership
Advertising and Newsroom AnswerLine Miller, LaSota & Peters, PLC (602) 495-2713
First hour free to all ANA member newspapers.
Media Hotline Perkins, Coie, Brown & Bain (602) 351-8000
Funded by First Amendment Coalition of Arizona Inc. No cost up to the initiation of litigation.
HR Hotline Steptoe & Johnson, LLP (602) 257-5200
Up to two hours of consultation and advice available to publishers and department heads of ANA-member newspapers.
ANA Staff Executive Director John F. Fearing........................................Ext. 105 j.fearing@ananews.com Business Manager Paula Casey............................................Ext. 102 p.casey@ananews.com Media Buyer Cindy Meaux........................................... Ext. 112 c.meaux@ananews.com Network Advertising Manager Sharon Schwartz.....................................Ext. 108 s.schwartz@ananews.com Network Ad Sales Representative Don Ullmann............................................ Ext. 111 d.ullmann@ananews.com Communications Manager Perri Collins............................................. Ext. 110 p.collins@ananews.com Statewide NIE Coordinator Pat Oso................................................... Ext. 110 beartracks@cox.net Receptionist/Tearsheets Lorraine Bergquist.......................................Ext. 0 l.bergquist@ananews.com
Find your name here! If you would like to be included in one of our committees, ask your publisher to send an e-mail to j.fearing@ananews.com. Your ideas are what makes this association valuable. The collective intelligence of our members is how ANA improves its service. There are several vacancies on committees so there is no waiting. Join a committee and make a difference!
FEBRUARY 2007
NIE on the road
ANF needs your contributions
By Pat Oso
Copper Country News in Globe has gone all out for NIE. Rita Hassard, Publisher, called about two and a half years ago, excited about the prospect of getting NIE introduced to the schools in Globe. She had done her homework and understood what a powerful learning tool the newspaper can be. She wanted her newspaper to be an important part of student’s lives in Globe. Rita talked with principals, members of the school board and some school district folks. They seemed interested so she tried to set up a workshop for teachers. That is when the obstacle course began. Conflicts with school calendars, confusing e-mail messages and poor registration left us feeling frustrated. The whole workshop got pushed onto the back burner until Rita hired Angie Mendoza as the new office manager. The two of them talked about NIE and Angie began to get excited, too. They got together with two of the principals in Globe. Randy Hunt from Gila Community Education Center also came to the meeting. That was all it took. They decided to set up three workshops over a twoday period, and soon got to work. Rita and Angie ran all kinds of ads announcing the workshops and inviting teachers in the newspaper. Randy notified principals and emailed all the teachers. Teachers registered through Randy, so school districts would have a record of their attendance. Rita and Angie ordered fruit, snacks and sub sandwiches. I loaded the truck with my traveling workshop materials and headed out to Globe. On Friday afternoon, Jan. 12, Holy Angels Elementary School hosted the first workshop, “Newspaper Crafts.” Teachers filled the cafeteria; some even drove in from St.
John’s. They learned how to integrate art and language arts, geography and social studies. The activities were logical extensions of the subjects they are already teaching. Brain development studies show that hands-on activities help facilitate long-term learning. Saturday morning’s workshop was “Newspapers 101” at the Gila Education Center. Several teachers from Holy Angels Elementary School returned for this workshop, along with some new faces. They learned how to introduce the newspaper to their students and incorporate it into lessons for language arts, math, social studies and character education. Highlights of the two days? First, groups of teachers spontaneously gathered to rewrite their lesson plans for the rest of the month to include newspapers and art activities. Second, waking in the middle of the night and seeing a gentle snow falling outside the hotel window. Maybe it was not exciting to those of you who live in snow country, but it was a lovely moment for a girl from the big city.
Late in 2006, the Arizona “We have set a $1 million Newspapers Foundation began an goal for the endowment,” said ANF endowment and support fund for executive director John Fearing. Arizona’s journalists. To date, ANF had recieved With this endowment and sup- $5,900: $2,900 for the endowment port fund, you have the chance to and $3,000 for the support fund. build a strong foundation for Arizo“I have no doubt we can build na’s journalism programs. it up,” said Soldwedel. “All three of Arizona’s schools The donations will be split in come up short in operating capital,” half, with 50 percent being deposited said Don Soldwedel, chairman of in the endowment, and 50 percent Western Newsgoing to the support papers Inc. fund. “Newspapers “By the The endowshould support second semesment is given with ter, it’s all gone. a stipulation that the the programs Schools cut back funds are invested that train their and cut prorather than spent employees.” grams,” he said. immediately. “My wife The journaland I have made it a habit to give a ism support fund will be divided little extra to make sure our students into three equal parts, with each get the things they need,” he said. third providing assistance to the state “The initiative is an important university journalism schools. one,” said Julie Moreno. Moreno, These gifts provide security publisher of The (Yuma) Sun, isn’t over the long term. The goal is to afraid to put her money where her build the strong financial base we mouth is. need to train and educate Arizona’s The Sun contributed $5,000 to next generation of reporters. the fund and hopes that other newsMany past and present employpapers will realize the importance ees of Arizona newspapers are of supporting journalism education alumni of ASU, NAU or UofA. in Arizona. With your donation, you ensure that Arizona continues to grow as an outstanding place of higher education in journalism. “Newspapers should support the programs that train their employees,” said Fearing. “These investments will power the foundation, allowing us to power journalism education,” he said. Letters were mailed to our members asking for contributions. These letters may have been set aside, but ANF urges you to think about the future of the newspaper industry. “There’s no time like the present,” said Soldwedel.
Teachers learning to make crafts at a Newspapers in Education workshop in Globe, Ariz.
Endowment Starter Donation & Journalism Support Fund Arizona Newspapers Foundation 1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 670 · Phoenix, AZ 85004
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Contact Information: Make your check payable to: Arizona Newspapers Foundation Or charge your donation by calling the Foundation with your credit card information (602) 261-7655 ext. 102 The Arizona Newspapers Association is a 501(c)3 tax exempt educational foundation and is separate from the Arizona Newspapers Association
FEBRUARY 2007
Promotions & New Hires Darrell Durham has been named director of marketing for TNI. He had been the company’s strategic marketing manager for readership since 2004. In that role he was responsible for developing marketing campaigns to grow the audience for the Tucson Citizen, Arizona Daily Star and TNI online.
P r e v i o u s l y, Durham was the strategic marketing manager for readership, a position he held since 2004. Durham, a native of the Kansas City, Mo. area, has worked in newspapers since he was 19. Before joining TNI, he worked for 10 years at The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.
Veteran journalist James Bennett has joined Green Valley News and Sun as editor. Bennett was formerly editor of The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale and sports editor of the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. The University of Tennessee graduate has spent 15 of his 22 years in journalism at Arizona newspapers. Bennett worked at The Ari-
zona Republic and The Phoenix Gazette, The Miami News, The Seattle Times and The Charlotte Observer earlier in his career. “I am excited to be back in Arizona,” Bennett said. “This is a dynamic market, filled with readers who look forward to reading the newspaper. “I’m a big believer that newspapers can be unifying forces in their communities,” Bennett added.
Former radiotalk show producer and host Adrienne Mackey, 27, has been hired as a reporter at the Green Valley News and Sun. Mackey worked for nearly two years at news-talk radio station KNST in Tucson. As a producer, Mackey talked frequently with callers who went on the air with talk-show hosts. She remembers many of the callers being from Green Valley. “From my experience at KNST,
I think I learned a lot about Green Valley. I learned that people from Green Valley care about government and politics and want to make a difference.” The University of Arizona graduate will work as a general-assignment reporter, but she’ll focus frequently on politics, her favorite subject. “I love politics because it shapes the world we live in. It shapes every single thing we do,” she said.
Mark Evans was named Assistant City Editor at the Tucson Citizen. Evans will work at night, overseeing editing and preparation of local news
stories. Evans has previously been editor of the Explorer in northwest Tucson.
Anthony Gimino has replaced Corky Simpson as Tucson Citizen’s sports columnist. Anthony moves to the job following Corky Simpson’s retirement. Gimino graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism.
He says his favorite view of a game is as a fan in the stands. “We cover college football, and so much has to do with emotion,” he said. “You can’t get that from the press box in football. That’s why I like to go to the field in the last five minutes.”
Eric Johnson joined the West Valley View as a staff writer on Dec. 4, filling the position formerly held by Justin Doom, who was promoted to assistant editor. Johnson, 20, will cover the sports teams of Desert Edge, La Joya and Westview high schools. He plans to graduate in May 2007 with a communications degree from Arizona State University West, where he was
a staff writer at the West Express for one semester before serving as editor in chief for two semesters. Doom, 26, has been at the View, covering both news and sports as a staff writer, since June 2003. He also is a contributing writer to Diamondbacks Magazine and has written a weekly online column for Sports Illustrated since September 2005.
Raquel Hendrickson promoted to managing editor of The Bugle Verde Valley Newspapers, Inc., Associate Editor Raquel Hendrickson has been promoted to managing editor of The Bugle. The position is new to Verde Valley Newspapers as The Bugle continues to grow and serve the communities of Camp Verde and the Beaver Creek area. Hendrickson has been with the newspaper since 1998. She has covered Yavapai County, the municipalities of Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Jerome, business, schools, crime, home & garden, politics and general assignments. She has been associate editor since 2001 and also supervises the online edition of Verde Valley Newspapers. “I’ve lived in Camp Verde for more than eight years and I’m excited about the opportunities that lay ahead for The Bugle,” she said. “We have a great staff, and The Bugle will continue to deliver the high-quality coverage our readers expect.” Before returning to Arizona,
Hendrickson was a sports editor in the Ozarks for eight years. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communications-Journalism from Brigham Young University. “Raquel has held almost every news job in our organization and excelled every step of the way,” said Dan Engler, editor for Verde Valley Newspapers, Inc. “This is an excellent and exciting transition for The Bugle and for Raquel. She is most deserving. The Bugle is in excellent hands under her leadership.”
Wittig new managing editor at ARN Ainslee S. Wittig was recently named managing editor of the Arizona Range News. She has been with Wick Communications for 10 years, starting out as a reporter and most recently as associate editor.
“Ainslee has done a terrific job for a number of years,” said Publisher Jane Amari. “She is the Range News for many in Willcox and the title only recognizes that fact.”
Business Journal boosts staff in 2007 Five new employees have joined The Business Journal, bolstering its roster for the upcoming year. Ty Young, who was a reporter at The Arizona Republic’s Mesa bureau for two-and-a-half years, will cover the technology, manufacturing and utilities beats. Before The Republic, he worked at The Tucson Citizen as a general assignment reporter and feature writer. Young is a 2004 graduate of the University of Arizona and has Bachelor of Arts degrees in journalism and English, with a minor in business and communications. He has won writing awards for Best Feature News Article from the Arizona Newspaper Association, a First Place Hearst Award for Spot News, and a Mark of Excellence Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Scott Newhouse was hired in mid-December as an advertising consultant. Prior to joining The Busi-
ness Journal, he served as manager of sales for the Phoenix Coyotes for more than six years, where he was the top revenue producer for five consecutive years. He is a graduate of Arizona State University and the Arizona School of Real Estate. Melanie Campbell returned to the paper as senior advertising consultant, responsible for technology, telecommunications, architects and engineers. Lesley Sargent also returned to the advertising department. She was an ad consultant from 2000 to 2005 when she left the paper to pursue career interests in Maine. In her new role, she will lead The Business Journal’s Marketplace department. Additionally, Caroline Kirkham was named business manager. Before joining the paper, she was the business manager for Sun Environments, a landscape contractor based in Scottsdale.
FEBRUARY 2007
Pima county newspapers victorious in open records lawsuit By Aaron Mackey
A judge ordered the town of Marana last week to release records detailing a former department head’s use of his work computer to view pornography. The town released the documents to the Arizona Daily Star and The Explorer, a community paper that serves the Northwest Side and the Foothills, after The Explorer filed a lawsuit against the town. The battle over the records began in spring 2006 after Ron Smith, former director of the Parks and Recreation Department, resigned March 29. The Explorer was seeking documents related to Smith’s resignation after learning he had been using his work computer to view pornography. The Star requested the same information. Until last week, town officials had refused to acknowledge that Smith had ever viewed pornography and refused to release any details confirming an investigation into his department. In court documents filed before the hearing, the town said it had evidence that Smith used his computer to view pornography but said the discovery had nothing to do with his resignation. Instead, Smith was given the choice to quit or be fired after Town Attorney Frank Cassidy led a monthlong investigation into the parks department.
Town records previously released said Smith had resigned for family reasons. Status as public record In defending the town’s initial refusal to release the records, Todd E. Hale, an attorney hired to represent Marana, argued in court that the report showing Smith’s Internet history was not a public record, because it had nothing to do with his work as director of the department. Also, the report had nothing to do with Smith’s resigning, Hale said. But because the town created a report detailing Smith’s Internet use, it created a public record, said Dan Barr, an attorney for the Explorer. Under the Arizona Public Records Law, any person may inspect a government’s public records and “other matters in the custody of any officer” during office hours. Judge Leslie Miller of Pima County Superior Court ordered the town to release the report detailing Smith’s Internet history but allowed the town to black out the names of the Web sites. Miller also was given a number of personal e-mails from Smith to review and see whether they constituted public records or were relevant to the newspapers’ investigations. The e-mails had been withheld after earlier requests by the Star and Explorer. Barr, who also represents the
Star, was given the option to return to court if the blacked-out copies of the report didn’t satisfy The Explorer. Poor management After the hearing, Cassidy reaffirmed that Smith was asked to resign for poor management, saying the discovery of pornography was a coincidence. “It was a foregone conclusion” that Smith was going to be asked to resign, Cassidy said. “We were already there. This just happens to pop up at the last minute.” Cassidy’s investigation came after Smith was disciplined for, among other things, failing to make sure there were food vendors at the town’s December 2005 Christmas tree lighting, records show. Before being disciplined, Smith was described as a good employee with an above-average approval rating, according to personnel records. During Cassidy’s investigation, which began in February 2006, he interviewed every employee in the parks department. Cassidy continued to conduct interviews until March 28, the day before Smith submitted his resignation. The report detailing Smith’s Internet usage was generated March 24. The department suffered from low morale and poor leadership,
Cassidy said. Cassidy delivered an oral report of his findings to Town Manager Mike Reuwsaat, creating no documents that would be subject to the state public-records laws. Notes from interviews with employees related to the investigation are exempt from public-records laws because they are protected by attorney-client privilege, Cassidy said in an e-mail. Smith was found to be looking at pornographic Web sites by a town information-technology worker, Cassidy said. The town monitors its employees’ Internet use through a program that displays which Web sites workers are viewing. On March 24, the technology employee saw a Web site that was obviously pornographic on a monitor in the IT department and set about finding out whose computer it was on, Cassidy said. The site was traced to Smith’s computer, and a report was generated showing the 20 sites most visited by Smith. The list showed that he had viewed pornographic sites, Cassidy said. The town has regulations that prohibit employees from using work computers or other technology “for any unauthorized, improper or illegal purposes.” Reprinted with permission from www.azstarnet.com.
Web newspaper blog traffic triples
Common sense and internships
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The number of people reading Internet blogs on the top 10 U.S. newspaper sites more than tripled in December from a year ago and accounted for a larger percentage of overall traffic to those sites, according to data released on Wednesday. Unique visitors to blog sites affiliated with the largest Internet newspapers rose to 3.8 million in December 2006 from 1.2 million viewers a year earlier, tracking firm Nielsen//NetRatings said. U.S. news organizations are increasingly calling on their reporters and editors to write news blogs
By Doug Fisher
and compete with the expanding Internet format for informal analysis and opinion. Blog pages accounted for 13 percent of overall visits to newspaper sites in that month, up from 4 percent a year earlier. Total visitors to the top newspaper sites rose 9 percent to 29.9 million. About 60 percent of online newspaper readers were men, with the percentage rising to 66 percent of blog readers, Nielsen//NetRatings said. The top U.S. newspaper site in December belonged to the New York Times’ NYTimes.com, with 13.2 million unique viewers, followed by Gannett Co.’s USAToday.com site, with 9.1 million viewers, and the Washington Post’s washingtonpost. com site, with 7.6 million viewers, Nielsen// NetRatings said.
It was a typical January day – I’d given my usual opening-class speech about the importance of working on the college paper and getting internships, and now there was the student at my door, part puzzled, part panicked. “I should get an internship? How? How can I afford it?” The answer to the first question was an emphatic “yes.” But I’m finding the answers to the second and third ones a little harder each year. On my desk, an editor’s letter regretfully said a newspaper was ending its internships. A couple of months earlier, I’d sat on a panel with this person as we discussed the industry’s push for experience in our graduates and possibly requiring internships. But cutting the internships wasn’t the editor’s decision; corporate had cut the money, more fallout from the industry’s economic woes.
A colleague told me a major national internship program scrambled this year after industry changes undermined some of its support, and apparently the future still is uncertain. One friend with a long history recruiting for the newspaper industry says the word on the street is that many of the surviving chains are talking about their internship programs’ future, from doing away with them to downgrading them to unpaid positions. And while I haven’t done a content study, I’ve noticed what seem like fewer internships listed recently, and those that are have lines like “seeks unpaid news interns on an ongoing basis who will be responsible for their own living expenses and must be able to receive academic credit.” I covered agriculture for many CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
FEBRUARY 2007
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FEBRUARY FEBRUARY2007 2007
U of A j-school students go global with Middle East program By Perri Collins
When Maggy Zanger talks about the Study Cairo program, it’s hard to ignore the excitement in her voice. “Students should expect to be blown away,” said Zanger. “Cairo has such variety, such a meshing of East and West,” said Zanger. Study Cairo is an intensive eight-week program for undergraduate students who want to learn about reporting in the Middle East. Students will live and take journalism and Arabic classes at the American University in Cairo. The program is funded by a grant from the FulbrightHays program at the U.S. Department of Education. “We’re trying to build an international journalism program so that our students have a broader understanding of the world,” said Zanger. “I want students to understand the big picture,” she said. “I’ve been very happy with the response we’ve gotten,” said Zanger. She has received more than 50 applications from juniors and seniors at schools all over the U.S. “We’re looking for students who are adaptable and show potential,” said Zanger. “Students in the Study Cairo program will have an opportunity to lay the foundation for developing expertise about the Middle East,” said Jacqueline Sharkey, head of the journalism department. “Today, when global events so often have an impact on national and even local issues, it’s crucial that
journalists have a background in the history, culture and language of other countries,” Sharkey said. Cairo, with a population of 18 million people, is a vibrant environment that will provide students with many writing opportunities, while studying the Arabic language and immersed in Arab culture. “To me, Cairo is the center of media in the Middle East,” said Chase Gilbert. Gilbert, 21, is a journalism major at the University of Arizona, and assistant news editor at the Arizona Daily Wildcat. He cannot wait until March, when he will find out if he is one of the dozen students selected for the program. “It sounds like a real adventure,” he said. Zanger began her career in the Middle East as a freelance journalist, and taught reporting, editing and publication design in the department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the American University in Cairo, Egypt. “It’s important for students to figure out how to get the information they need in a place that views the press differently than here in the U.S.,” she said. In addition to daily classes, students will be required to keep a journal, podcast or blog of their experiences abroad. “The U.S. has become terribly isolated,” said Zanger. “My greatest hope is that these 12 U.S. students will leave with a greater respect and consideration for Arab culture,” said Zanger.
Professor Maggy Zanger in her office at the University of Arizona Department of Journalism.
The journalism department at the University of Arizona continues to expand their global reach with the Study Cairo program this summer.
Bolles Fellow eager to make her mark By Perri Collins
Djamila Grossman, a senior at the University of Arizona, has been selected as the Don Bolles Fellow for Spring 2007. Grossman has previously interned at The (Greeley, Colo.) Tribune, the Arizona Daily Star and The Hill, a Washington D.C. paper covering Capitol Hill, where she gained a deep interest in covering government and politics. She has also reported extensively for the Arizona Daily Wildcat. Grossman enjoys getting into people’s minds discovering the things that make them tick. “We all have common concerns, but the story is always different. I like the drama and excitement of trying to figure it all out,” she said. As part of her fellowship,
Grossman will write two stories each week for the Community News Service program, focusing on rural and agricultural issues in the legislature. “The most interesting story I’ve covered so far is the governor’s new Growth Cabinet,” she said. “It’s such a rush banging out stories to meet deadlines,” she said. “I hope I’m still doing the same thing in 10 years,” she said. Nicole Santacruz, Editor-inChief of the Arizona Daily Wildcat, has nothing but high hopes for Grossman. “She is a true pleasure to work with and it’s great seeing her bylines in other newspapers,” Santacruz said. “Very seldom does a student
come away from college with fulltime experience reporting,” said program coordinator Susan Knight. “The Bolles Fellowship is the
ultimate honor a U of A student can receive in the journalism program,” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
FEBRUARY 2007
It’s what you say and how you say it
‘Address hygiene’ bar going up Aug. 1
By John Foust
By Max Heath NNA Postal Chairman
“Early in my selling career,” Robin told me, “I focused so much attention on what I was saying that I didn’t realize the importance of nonverbal communication. Then I heard about the Mehrabian Study. That completely changed my approach.” She was referring to UCLA professor Albert Mehrabian, who began a widely-acclaimed study of communication in the 1960s. He established the classic breakdown of communication: seven percent of a message is communicated through words, 38 percent through our speaking voice, and 55 percent through body language. Don’t believe it? Try a little experiment with one of your coworkers. Say the word “yes,” while shaking your head “no.” Then ask which message is stronger. “No” usually wins. “Don’t get me wrong,” Robin said. “Words are important. Without the right words, there’s no chance to convince a prospect to advertise in my paper. But I work hard to make sure my non-verbal messages match what I say.” Here are some points to keep in mind: 1. Posture. “Sitting up straight is only the first step,” Robin said. “I keep movements to a minimum. That way, I stay focused on the other person, and they’re not distracted by any unnecessary moving around. No fumbling with papers in my briefcase, no fidgeting in my chair, no fiddling with my ball-point pen.” Political insiders noted that President Kennedy was so interested in what others were saying that he leaned forward in his chair as they talked. White House visitors – even those with opposing viewpoints – often remarked that they sensed his eagerness to hear their ideas. Whatever your politics, JFK’s posture sets a good example to
follow. 2. Eye contact. This is perhaps the most difficult non-verbal factor to analyze. The person who avoids eye contact altogether may be perceived as dishonest, arrogant or even timid. And the person who holds eye contact for too long can be seen as confrontational. “The best advice I’ve heard,” Robin explained, “is to use your common sense. Make eye contact, but not too much and not too little. Successful salespeople instinctively know the limits.” 3. Vocal animation. We’ve all met people who speak in a lifeless monotone, There’s no spark, no enthusiasm. We have a hard time believing what they say, because they sound like they don’t believe it themselves. Voice quality is even more important when the other person can’t see us. Dr. Mehrabian’s research on telephone communication shows that 16 percent of a message depends on the words themselves, and 84 percent depends on our tone of voice and the feelings that people get when listening to us. The easiest way to create a pleasant voice is to smile. Some salespeople put a small mirror by their phones, to remind them to smile while they’re talking. “Whether I’m talking face-toface or on the phone, I try to put a smile in my voice,” Robin said. “I want my clients to know I’m excited to tell them about my advertising product.” © Copyright 2007 John Foust. All rights reserved. John Foust conducts on-site and video training for newspaper advertising departments. For information, contact: John Foust, PO Box 97606, Raleigh, NC 27624 USA, Email: jfoust@mindspring.com, phone (919) 848-2401.
2007 Don Bolles Fellow CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7
said Knight. The Bolles Fellowship is part of the University of Arizona Community News Service program. Each spring, the Bolles Fellow will live and work in Phoenix during the semester while six to ten other students take turns also reporting on legislation that affects the rural areas of the Grand Canyon State “Our aim is to fill a niche,” said Knight. “There is an unmet need to provide stories important to non-urban
areas,” she said. Newspapers who are interested in publishing stories from the Bolles Fellow or the Community News Service should contact Professor Susan Knight at (520) 621-7556. Djamila Grossman can be reached at djamilag@email.arizona. edu. The fellowship was named for Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles, who was murdered in 1976 for his investigative articles on local corruption.
The U.S. Postal Service is requiring business mailers such as newspapers to improve further address quality, effective Aug. 1, with mandatory implementation of Delivery Point Validation (DPV) as a replacement for address-range matching under its Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS). The next update to CASS, termed cycle L, will require that the exact primary delivery address, including street number, be matched in order for a ZIP+4 code to be assigned for automation barcode discounts. Secondary addresses, such as apartment or suite numbers, are not yet being made a requirement (although newspapers should use them to obtain best delivery). The current CASS certified address matching software only verifies that an address is within the range of possibility. For example, if an address range or a ZIP code includes 100-199 Elm St., an address input as 155 Elm St. would be recognized as valid, whether or not there is actually a residence at that exact address. Newspapers using CASS certified list processing may not realize that an input address is not necessarily an exact match. But it must be precise and accurate after Aug. 1, or software certified under the CASS program will return only a 5-digit ZIP code. The loss of discounts then will cost newspapers an average of more than 4 cents per piece mailed to 5-digit, 3-digit, SCF, ADC, OMX and Mixed ADC mail. (Automation discounts do not apply to carrierroute sorted mail, where the majority of a newspaper’s in-county copies reside.) Why the change to DPV? The UPS is seeking to reduce the amount of “Undeliverable As Addressed” mail, which is said to be more than 1.37 billion pieces a year at a cost to the USPS of more than $99 million. Personal knowledge of the carrier is required to deliver such mail at a cost of 7 cents per piece, said Jan Caldwell, manager of Address Management in Memphis. Returned or wasted mail is said to be more that 348 million pieces, costing $60 million a year. Vendors have been required to offer the DPV product for two years. Newspapers should discuss DPV with their software vendors and ask for test runs to be done early this year to compare the results of “non-codable” addresses under both
CASS and DPV. While some mailers report a 2 percent or more loss of 9digit-codable addresses, most newspapers already using CASS-certified address matching and working to correct bad addresses are more likely to find it under 0.5 percent. Newspapers should also ask their vendors whether any additional charge will be made for the required DPV coding. I am unaware of any small newspapers’ vendors charging more for this service, but some of the larger software companies are trying to enforce charges on their customers. Caldwell has assured the National Newspaper Association that USPS is not increasing costs to vendors for DPV. Generally, periodicals have higher coding rates because customers provide addresses when subscribing and complain if their newspaper is non-deliverable, providing an opportunity to fix problems. Purchased lists and those used by catalogs and other standard mailers are more likely to be problematic. One helpful tool built into DPV is a feature called LACSLink. LACS, for Locatable Address Conversion System, converts old ruralstyle addresses (Route 1, Box 6) to city-style addresses (151 Elm St.) under 911 address conversion made by local emergency authorities. It also included renumbering and street name changes. Carrierroute codes can still be returned for a non-DPV confirmed address, but whether LOT (enhanced Line-ofTravel) numbers will be treated the same is still being argued. This could affect carrier-route discount if LOTS are not assigned, which makes it important to improve any problem addresses ASAP. This is a good reason to begin now to improve list quality, because August will arrive sooner than we think. What steps should one take? •Run a list of non-codables from your software. Some vendors call that a CASS Error Report, but different names exist. Lacking that, look for labels missing a 9-digit ZIP. Either way, use the USPS ZIP+4 lookup to try to improve the address at http://zip4. usps.com/zip4/. With a 9-digit match, the LOT number and carrier route are available by clicking on “Mailing Industry Information,” underlined in blue. You also will see a “DPV Confirmation Indicator” in the last line of this box, showing whether it is a DPV match (Yes or No). CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
FEBRUARY 2007
Republic and Cronkite School team up for new multimedia program Cronkite Dean Christopher An Arizona Republic editor will serve as a visiting journalism Callahan said the new multimedia professor at Arizona State University reporting program is part of the next year, directing a new multime- school’s efforts to prepare journaldia reporting program at the Walter ists for the multimedia newsrooms Cronkite School of Journalism and of the future. “We don’t know of any other Mass Communication sponsored by multimedia collaboration like this The Republic. Aric Johnson will be the between a journalism school and Cronkite School’s first Arizona a major news organization in the Republic Editor in Residence. John- country,” Callahan said. “It will be an outstanding son will be dispatched to the Cronkite School full-time for the year to direct opportunity for some of our best 15 students. The students will cover and brightest students, and an enorbreaking news for azcentral.com, mous benefit for the region’s news The Republic’s online site, as part of consumers,” said Callahan. “Students will learn how to a new multimedia reporting class. Students, who will be paid as be multimedia reporters at one of the nation’s largwell as receive est news Web sites, credit for the “We don’t and azcentral.com’s new course, will readers will receive spend two days know of any a week assigned other multime- up-to-the-minute news from around to the Republic’s downtown newsdia collabora- t h e Va l l e y. We believe this could room, three subtion like this.” be a model for other urban bureaus journalism schools and KPNX-TV Channel 12, which is also owned and news organizations,” he said. Cronkite Assistant Dean Kristin by Gannett. Johnson has been a reporter and Gilger, a former Republic deputy editor at the Fresno Bee, the Reno managing editor, will oversee the Gazette-Journal and the Republic, program. Johnson received his bachelor’s where he served as education editor, assistant business editor and interim degree in journalism from the University of Southern California. He editor of The Tempe Republic. “Aric is perfectly suited for this completed the Maynard Managenew role,” said Republic Executive ment Program at Northwestern UniEditor Randy Lovely, who along versity’s Kellogg Graduate School with Editor Ward Bushee designed of Management and the Asian the program with Cronkite School American Journalists Association’s Executive Leadership Program. leaders. “I am thrilled to be a part of this “His passion for student journew venture,” Johnson said. nalists is contagious,” said Lovely. “I feel strongly this can benefit Earlier this year, Johnson served as editor of the Asian American the community and the students. Journalists Association’s student The Arizona Republic and ASU are newspaper during the organization’s leading the way by creating a model that could be used across the nation,” annual convention in Hawaii. he said.
Moody moves to Miller, LaSota & Peters John W. Moody, attorney at law, and lobbyist for the Arizona Newspapers Association, has changed firms. He has moved from Jennings, Strouss & Salmon, PLC to Miller, LaSota & Peters, PLC. When he is not gathering information at the capitol, he can be found at his new address: 722 E. Osborn, Suite 100 Phoenix, AZ 85014 His friendly voice will continue to answer your questions on the Advertising, Newsroom and Circulation AnswerLine. That number will not change.
Attention! We need:
If you can offer these things for the common good, what a wonderful way to participate in your association!
* Your time * Your skills * Your passion * Your experience * Your talents
Many people find it personally satisfying to spend time helping a worthwhile organization that supports the common good of Arizona newspapers. We have committees that need you. Call the ANA offices and get involved today!!!
The deadline is Feb. 16 Send in your entries for the ANA Excellence in Advertising Competition by Feb. 16, 2007! Entry packets were mailed in January, but you can also download them from www.ananews.com.
Winners will be announced during an awards happy hour at the ANA Spring Convention. Questions? Contact Perri Collins at (602) 261-7655 ext. 110.
Newspaper internships CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
years, and in the heartland, this is called eating your seed corn. A new report says the job market is so tight that employers nationwide are offering competitive positions to those even without a college degree. At the same time, many newsrooms are buying out or laying off older employees as they try to bring in young talent. But how do you lock up that talent with relatively unattractive salaries and benefits if you don’t at least hold out the promise of viable internships? Even if you shift to internships for class credit only, you’re asking someone to pay hundreds of dollars for the privilege. The potential for riches as a stockbroker is much greater than your average newsroom job being sought by a college student with a near-crushing debt load. Broadcasters have had unpaid internships for years, but they benefit from the lure of the chance to be on camera, or even near one. Even among broadcast students, however, I increasingly hear concerns about how to hold down an internship – and the job they often need to pay for it. Those “best and brightest” students we talk about needing to help revive the news industry know how to do the math. And they know the importance of internships. The latest nationwide survey of journalism and mass communications graduates (University of Georgia, 2005) reported that more than three-quarters had at least one internship before graduation, more than twice the per-
centage of those who worked for the campus newspaper and far greater than the percentage who worked for a campus broadcast station. The report is laced with comments from graduates advising those up and coming to get as many internships as they can. So if you are thinking of cutting your internships, give it a second thought. And if you are thinking of going to unpaid internships, take a hard look at the long-term benefits over the short-term savings. Maybe there’s a middle ground, like the newsroom internship I saw recently that was for class credit, but offered a $75 weekly stipend. Over 10 weeks or so, that at least covers the equivalent of paying for the credit. Even if you are a small paper, isn’t that an investment you can make at least once a year? “Every team in Major League Baseball has a farm system to nurture young talent. At BusinessWeek, our farm team is our internship program,” Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler wrote this past summer in praise of its 15 interns. And every farmer knows that if you eat your seed corn, you’re eventually going to go hungry – or worse. Doug Fisher, a former AP news editor, teaches journalism at the University of South Carolina and can be reached at dfisher@sc.edu or 803-777-3315. Past issues of Common Sense Journalism can be found at http://www.jour.sc.edu/ news/csj/index.html
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FEBRUARY 2007
Book Detects Bias for Arizona Thinkers
NAA fellowship deadline approaching
By Randy Hines
Applications for the NAA James K. Batten Breakthrough Fellowship are now available at http:// www.naa.org/diversity/bt The deadline is Feb. 23, 2007. Breakthrough is one of the leading newspaper mentoring programs in the industry. This program provides talented people of color with a unique opportunity to augment their knowledge and be mentored by newspaper leaders. It will also allow executives to broaden their access to up-andcoming talent. The program is bookmarked by the NAA Annual Conventions, both including a halfday workshop on mentoring and development. The program also includes a minority media conference, an additional industry conference, an exchange of newspaper visits, an at-paper project, a Skillscope 360 Assessment and a mid-year workshop on development and skills training at Northwestern University’s Media Management Center. The next program will begin in New York in May 2007. There is NO CHARGE for the fellow or their newspaper for this program. If you are a mid-level manage-
Faculty, just like journalists, get tons of unsolicited materials. One booklet that I received early in 2007 is intriguing for both of the above professions. Titled “How to Detect Media Bias & Propaganda in National and World News,” the publication provides much food for thought. “The Thinker’s Guide for Conscientious Citizens on …” is its subtitle kicker. Published by the Foundation for Critical Thinking, the 50-page treatise is aimed at helping readers detect bias in national and international coverage. “If objectivity or fairness in the construction of news stories is thought of as equivalent to presenting all the facts and only the facts, objectivity and fairness is an illusion. No human knows more than a small percentage of the facts and it is not possible to present all the facts” (p. 4). Since the media tell readers what’s important to them, then the public is also irrational when it comes to objectivity, according to the book. So the issue of human objectivity is considered an unattainable ideal. Arizona journalists should know how the public is urged to achieve objectivity by the booklet’s four suggestions. 1. Identify the point of view from which a news story is constructed; 2. Identify the audience it is written to; 3. Recognize what points of view it is negating or ignoring; and 4. Distinguish the raw facts behind the story from the journalist’s interpretation and spin. We all know that other countries’ viewpoint on international stories is much different from our own. They see things from a unique point of view and read different stories than we do. The global approval rating of the U.S. is almost as bad as Bush’s in this country. Even World War II allies Germany and France, among others, are quite critical of U.S. foreign policy concerning Iraq. They read and hear news from an entirely dissimilar perspective. Rather than U.S. citizens condemning the biased foreign press coverage, the booklet urges them to consider that their own media could be biased. “Every nation’s press coverage of the ‘news’ appears to the mass public of that culture as expressing self-evident truth – because the news is routinely presented within
the world view of the mass public that ‘consumes’ that news” (p. 10). So all media present a biased world view, based on their own cultures and audiences. Citizens who are naturally inclined to have a national bias develop a prejudice toward other viewpoints. The publication lists 20 underreported or ignored stories that U.S. readers will not see in the mainstream media. These include: 1. Do respected countries in the world consider the U.S. a danger to world peace? 2. Does the U.S. have a responsibility to live in accordance with the international treaties it signs? 3. To what extent has America been involved in crimes against humanity? 4. Did the United States try to block a U.N. anti-torture vote? 5. Did the U.S. try to defeat the World Health Organizationsponsored treaty to ban cigarette ads worldwide? “Every citizen in the world needs access to news sources and commentary that question the selfimage maintained by the home culture through its own mass media. … For most U.S. consumers of the news, the self-image of the U.S. as a defender of human rights, individual freedom, democratic values, and social justice is unquestionably justified. …Most consumers of the news media do not know how to bring forward ‘buried’ information. They do not know how to read the news critically. Most have never seriously questioned their country’s image. Therefore, they see no reason to seek out dissenting stories or to question highly nationalistic selfportraits” (p. 37). The booklet reminds readers that all news should be read critically as vehicles containing part of the truth, rather than “the truth.” Written by Dr. Linda Elder and Dr. Richard Paul, both staff members of the Center for Critical Thinking, journalists may want to see what their readers are being told. The Web is www.criticalthinking.org. Aside from a few typos and a mixed-up table of contents, the manual should provide plenty of good discussions around quite a few Arizona newsrooms. Dr. Randy Hines teaches in the Department of Communications at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa. He can be reached at (570) 372-4079 or randyhinesapr@ yahoo.com.
ment person of color at a newspaper, then this is the program for you! We have had great success over the years in establishing bonds between mentor and mentee, and watching that junior person progress through the ranks of the newspaper hierarchy. Your particular strengths and opportunities will be examined and goals, with actionable steps, will be developed to help move you up the ladder of success. If you are interested in becoming a Breakthrough Junior Partner, complete and fax or snail mail the application found at http://www.naa.org/diversity/bt. If you have any questions, call Angela Winters, NAA Director of Leadership Programs at 571.366.1003 or winta@naa.org. If you are a senior industry executive, Breakthrough allows you the chance to help position highpotential minority middle managers to advance professionally through mentoring, exposure to industry events and action-oriented skills assessment. If you are interesting in becoming a Breakthrough Senior Partner, contact Jeanne Fox-Alston, NAA VP of Talent Management & Diversity at 571.366.1005 or Jeanne. Foxalston@naa.org.
Address bar cleanup CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
Such an address should be valid when processed later. Ask your software vendor when DPV will be deployed and whether you can run your addresses against it before the deadline to find and fix bad addresses without penalty. Look up new addresses as you input them at http://zip4.usps.com/ zip4. Remember that there is no punctuation in a postal address other than
hyphens. Using # signs for apartment and suite numbers will not code. Train your staff in good address hygiene. Go to www.usps.com/publications/ and click on Publication 28, Postal Addressing Standards. © Copyright Max Heath 2006. All rights reserved. Max Heath is vice president of circulation-postal-acquisition of Landmark Community Newspapers, Shelbyville, Ky. He can be reached at maxheath@lcni.com.
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FEBRUARY 2007
Newspapers investing in photography and image software in 2007 By Kevin Slimp
My e-mail has been filled lately with requests from large newspapers to train their staffs in the InDesign/ InCopy (LiveEdit) workflow. After a little digging, I learned that at least two of the largest newspaper chains in the U.S. are making wholesale conversions to workflow systems utilizing InDesign and InCopy. That explains all the requests. While smaller newspapers have been moving to InDesign in large numbers, it now looks like many of our larger brethren are following suit. It will be interesting to see how Quark responds to this movement in our industry.
GIMP Offers No Cost Alternative to Photoshop Quite often, when I’m speaking about new technology at a newspa-
per conference, someone will ask how I feel about some of the open source software available in OS X. I decided to take a look at one of the most popular open source applications, GIMP. GIMP is the GNU Image Manipulation Program for Mac OS X. Freely distributed, GIMP is also available for Windows-based machines. First released by two Berkeley students in 1996, GIMP has since grown into an powerful image editor since that time. While not as feature-filled as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP includes many of the tools newspapers and photogra-phers use in their daily work. GIMP offers the ability to adjust levels, hue & saturation, color mode, size and many other features used to edit photos for newspapers.
I’ve spent some time editing photos in GIMP, and the process is very similar to the method I use in Photoshop. I did run into a couple of issues. One, while attempting to save a file as EPS with a preview, I continually received an error message and no file was created. I was able to create EPS files without previews, however. I was also unable to open Camera Raw images. GIMP saves files in most formats including eps, tiff, jpeg and even PSD (Photoshop format). Because GIMP is an open source application, it is designed to be reinforced with plug-ins and scripts to increase its capabilities. Some of its built-in features include: editable text layers, alpha channel support, layers and channels, text layers, several transformation tools, a full suite of painting tools and more. While not a replacement for Photoshop, GIMP is worthwhile for designers who wouldn’t normally have Photo-shop available on their computers. To download GIMP or learn more about the various versions of the application, visit www.gimp. org.
Adobe Offers Christmas Present to Photoshop Users Users will notice that the GIMP desktop shares much in common with Photoshop.
Adobe played Santa over the holidays by offering users of Photoshop CS2 a free copy of the beta version of Photoshop CS3. A beta is a version of software used by software companies before it actually makes its way to the marketplace. This release is especially valuable to Mac users who have recently purchased Intel-based computers, only to watch Photoshop suffer, compared to applications created to run on Intel-based Macs. Many
Mac users, my-self included, have held off purchasing a MacBook (Mac laptop) until the new version of Photoshop became available. I’m guessing that Adobe took a nod from the very popular public release of its new Lightroom software beta in 2006. I plan to write a detailed review of Photoshop CS3 when it makes its way to the shelves sometime in mid 2007. Till then, let me tell you what impressed me most about the beta. The first thing I noticed was how much faster Photoshop and the Bridge run, compared to the CS2 versions. Raw images, which used to crawl to the screen in earlier versions of the Bridge and Browser, now pop up quickly on my screen. This increase in speed makes it realistic to shoot most of my photos in RAW format rather than in JPEG. In addition, many functions happen much faster. A new tool, the Quick Selection Brush, is very impressive. With it, I can make a very quick selection. For in-stance, I used the new tool to click and drag on an area of my son’s face in a photo. Immediately, his entire face was selected. I dragged the brush over a red plate with food, and Photoshop created a perfect selection of the plate and the food. Users will love this one. Adobe further improved the program by adding a couple of Lightroom features to Photoshop’s RAW image editor. Combine this with several non-destructive filters and interface changes, and Photoshop users are sure to flock to the new version. And for my Christmas present to myself, I purchased a 15” MacBook Pro. It works great with the Photoshop beta. Anyone with a valid copy of Photoshop CS2 can download and install the new beta from http://labs. adobe.com.
2007 Directories now available The 2007 Arizona Newspapers Directory is on its way to ANA member newspapers. The directory has several features that make it useful to members, advertisers and advertising agencies: • The newspaper’s days of publication • Specific page dimensions • Newspaper circulation The cover was designed by Art Schneider, production manager at the West Valley View. The directory is $25, and can be yours by calling (602) 261-7655.
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FEBRUARY 2007
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ANA Job Bank www.ananews.com/jobbank
Positions Available LEAD PRESSMAN: The Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review is seeking a lead pressman. Duties include running a fifteen unit SSC Goss Community Press, supervision of the press crew, overseeing and scheduling press personnel, preventive maintenance and running our CtP system. The Sierra Vista Herald / Bisbee Daily Review are award-winning, seven day a week, morning newspapers that have a total circulation of about 10,000. We also print several weekly, thrice a weekly and specialty newspapers. Four years worth of experience running Goss community presses, or the like. Two years working with or in prepress and camera. Experience with Macintosh computers and InDesign are a plus. If interested, please send your resume to Philip Vega, Sierra Vista Herald, 102 Fab Ave., Sierra Vista, AZ 85635, or e-mail to philip.vega@svherald. com (Jan. 8) ADVERTISING MANAGER AND EDITOR: The Arizona Silver Belt located in Globe Arizona is looking for an advertising manager and an editor to direct the activities for the Arizona Silver Belt, San Carlos Apache Moccasin and Gila County Advantage. This could turn into a general manager’s position for an experienced applicant. Interested
ANA can help you Our Job Bank helps journalists and others find openings at Arizona newspapers. 1. Positions Available are published once in ANAgrams and provided to prospective applicants for 30 days, unless the newspaper asks the ad be continued. 2. Positions Wanted are published once in ANAgrams at no cost. Ads should be mailed to us or faxed to: (602) 261-7525. You can also e-mail them to Perri Collins, p.collins@ananews. com. 3. Only member newspapers may advertise help wanted. All ads are also posted on the ANA Web site at http:// ananews.com/JobBank.
candidates wishing to join the GateHouse Media Newspaper Group should e-mail their resume and cover letter to Joseph Armenia at jarmenia@gatehousemedia. com. (Jan. 4) REPORTER: The Explorer newspaper has an opening for a full-time general assignment reporter to start Jan. 22. The Explorer is a 47,000 weekly circulation newspaper covering the burgeoning suburbs north and northwest of Tucson. The Explorer is looking for a versatile reporter to write news and features. Send your resume and clips to Editor Mark B. Evans, mevans@ explorernews.com, fax 520-2978510, or mail, 7235 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704. Clip files should include a selection of news and features. Job salary is $26,000, firm, plus benefits. PAGE DESIGNER: The Explorer newspaper has an opening for a creative and hard working fulltime page designer. Responsibilities include laying out the paper’s editorial content, creating maps and informational graphics to illustrate articles, and working with the editors and production department to plan the upcoming issue. The right candidate will have solid experience with Adobe InDesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. A journalism background is preferred, but not necessary. Submit resume and work samples to Kristina Dunham at kdunham@ explorernews.com or at 7235 N. Paseo del Norte, Tucson, AZ 85704. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Rome (N.Y.) Daily Sentinel seeks an organized, inventive, hands-on leader with newspaper management experience. Self-starter needs analytic and reporting skills to manage and mentor several teams, including classified and online. The Sentinel is family-owned and determined to serve our community well in the Internet age. Send your resume to: Stephen Water, Publisher, Rome Sentinel, 333 W. Dominick St., Rome, NY 13440 (Jan. 20) CIRCULATION MANAGER: We are looking for someone with the drive and motivation to take charge of the circulation department for the Eastern Arizona Courier and the Copper Era. The right candidate will be someone with a positive attitude and strong customer service skills. We’re willing to train if you have the right qualities.
Responsibilities include the dayto-day operation and supervision of our circulation department, rack and dealer billing/collections and overseeing our newspaper carriers. We offer competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, dental, vacation and a 401K retirement plan. If you believe you are the right person to join our team, send or e-mail your resume, cover letter and salary expectations to: Rick Schneider, Eastern Arizona Courier, 301 East Hwy. 70, Safford AZ 85548. E-mail schneider@ eacourier.com (Jan. 16)
Positions Wanted SPORTS REPORTER/EDITOR: I am seeking a full-time position in the Phoenix, Mesa or Tucson area. Currently sports editor of The Kansas City Kansan, in Kansas City, Kan. I have covered a wide range of sports, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, volleyball, racing, golf and track, and high school and community sports coverage. I am a versatile writer as well as a seasoned photographer. As a reporter and editor, I am fully versed in the current libel laws of the media and experienced in using AP style. In my position at The Kansan, I am responsible for the graphic layout of the sports section, its editorial content, as well as special sections that we publish periodically. I am in charge of annual spring, summer and winter sports tabloids. I’ve won numerous awards from the Kansas Press Association in featuring writing. I’m a young, talented writer with nowhere to go but up. Please contact Jeremy Banks at jbankskc@ aol.com for resume and clips. WRITER: I am a media relations professional and freelance journalist specializing in the casino gambling and horse racing industries. I am based in the Midwest and have written a weekly column on casino gambling for 11 years and have a portfolio of nearly 600 columns. I write for a number of Midwest dailies, including the Chicago Sun-Times and The Times in Northwest Indiana. Also, I am a correspondent for Encyclopedia Britannica Book of the Year and I write features for various national trade and consumer publications. If you would like to review sample columns, I can be reached by email at jbrokopp@comcast.net.
Calendar Calendar February 16, 2007 • ANA Excellence in Advertising competition deadline
February 21, 2007 • Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication groundbreaking ceremony, Downtown Phoenix.
March 1-3, 2007 • Inland Weekly Newspaper Publisher’s Conference. Tucson Sheraton, Tucson, Ariz.
March 5-9, 2007 • NIE Week: The NIE Week 2007 theme is “Now I Get It! Improving Comprehension With Newspapers.”
March 11-17, 2007 • National Sunshine Week
April 11-12, 2007 • InDesign CS Training with Lisa Griffin. Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale, Ariz.
April 11-13, 2007 • ANA Spring Advertising, Marketing and Circulation Workshop. Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale.
September 11-13, 2007 • A N A F a l l C o n v e n tion. Chaparral Suites, Scottsdale, Ariz.