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APA Better Newspaper Editorial Contest approaching
Guest Column:
Newspaper production planning in a pandemic By Kevin Slimp
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly Vol. 15 | No. 11 | Thursday, March 12, 2020 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Annual “Sunshine Week” to be observed March 15-21 Over the last year, the APA worked vigorously to protect the public’s right to know in the Legislature and throughout the state.
Arkansas newspapers, on the front lines of the battle to protect government transparency, will join open-government advocates from across the country next week in observance of National Sunshine Week. The annual celebration of the public’s right to know is March 15-21.
The Arkansas Press Association encourages newspapers to put a special focus on transparency during Sunshine Week. APA members will receive a special house advertisement from APA that draws attention to the necessity of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and continuation of legal notices in the state’s newspapers. Also, member newspapers will receive opinion columns to use in their publications highlighting Sunshine Week and how Arkansans can improve upon their efforts to support open government. “We’ve all heard the saying that ‘sunshine
is the best disinfectant,’ and it bears repeating in a time where opposition to open records and open meetings laws is at its highest,” said Ashley Wimberley, APA executive director. “During Sunshine Week, we encourage APA members and supporters to keep up the good work and find ways to make sure government transparency remains a priority in our state and our communities.”
Most recently, attorneys for the APA asked a circuit court judge in Randolph County to remove a gag order and release sealed documents in the case of a woman accused of killing former state Sen. Linda Collins. At the request of APA and ABC News, the judge allowed the organizations to intervene in the case to seek to have the order lifted. The judge agreed to review the order, which was entered by another judge last summer. Though he did not ultimately lift the gag order, he did institute Continued on Page 2
2020 APA Ad Conference begins today on Petit Jean Mountain
Pictured is Bill Ostendorf, presdident and founder of Creative Circle Media. Ostendorf presented two workshops Thursday on improving revenue through better advertising design and on making the most of classified advertising sales. Publishers and advertising directors from across Arkansas are attending the conference, which concludes Friday with the annual Better Newspaper Advertising Awards.