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Guest Column: Remembering Terry Hawkins
APA Legislative Report
ARKANSAS
Arkansas
PRESS
Publisher Weekly
Vol. 14 | No. 10 | Thursday, March 7, 2019
ASSOCIATION
Serving Press and State Since 1873
Voice’s Allen named GateHouse’s East Arkansas publisher the Siftings Herald in Arkadelphia. She was a sales representative for the Sentinel-Record in Hot Springs before joining the Hot Springs Village newspaper in June 2007.
GateHouse Media announced this week that Jennifer Allen has been promoted to group publisher overseeing the newspaper company’s East Arkansas region. Allen was previously general manager of the Hot Springs Village Voice.
Allen was regional advertising director overseeing 13 GateHouse properties, before becoming a general manager in 2017.
“I know Jennifer is more than ready and capable for the challenge and I am excited for the next chapter in East Arkansas,” said Matt Guthrie, regional vice president for GateHouse Southwest in an article that appeared in the Village Voice. According to GateHouse, Allen’s group includes the Village Voice, Pine Bluff Commercial, White Hall Journal, Stuttgart Daily Leader, Helena Daily World, Newport Independent and Bastrop (La.) Enterprise. Allen, a native of Malvern, began her newspaper career during high school for the Malvern Daily Record. While attending college at Henderson State University, she was an advertising salesperson at Jennifer Allen
In a statement in the newspaper about the promotion, Allen said: “Community newspapers have the power to bring about good and profound differences within their locales. Working collaboratively with business owners and advertisers promoting their goods and services to consumers through digital and print platforms are a top priority. Fair, honest, unbiased local news coverage is most important. It’s something that you can’t get anywhere else.”
Free Sunshine Week tools, resources available on website Open government advocates across the United States will recognize Sunshine Week from March 10 through 16. During the annual observance, newspapers in particular place a special emphasis on the importance of government transparency and open records and meetings laws. The American Society of News Editors launched the first Sunshine Week in 2005 to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of James Madison, a Founding Father and vocal proponent of the Bill of Rights. Madison, the U.S.’s fourth president.
ASNE and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press established the Sunshine Week website, www. sunshineweek.org, to offer free resources for use during the week.
on government openness that can be used free of charge, including a number of opinion columns, editorial cartoons, logos, icons and a sample proclamation for government officials.
The website includes a Toolkit, Idea Bank, Success Stories, and a nationwide calendar of events. Organizers encourage journalists to “highlight the importance of openness through stories, editorials, columns, cartoons or graphics.”
The Idea Bank proposes a variety of ways newspapers may be involved or inspired during Sunshine Week. Among the ideas suggested: review proposed open government laws, audit compliance with records laws or spotlight local heroes who have been important in the fight for government transparency.
At Sunshineweek.org/toolkit/, find a Toolkit that features a special reporting package
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Matt DeCample
Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists set Sunshine Week schedule The Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) will host three events next week in recognition of Sunshine Week, observed this year from March 10 to March 16. The events are:
Matt DeCample, a former television journalist and press secretary for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe, died Sunday, March 3. DeCample, 44, had been fighting a rare type of liver cancer for nearly three years. DeCample was a native of Renton, Washington, who moved to Arkansas to work for Little Rock television station KATV. He later served under Beebe throughout Beebe’s tenure as Arkansas attorney general and then when Beebe was governor. After Beebe’s term expired in 2015, DeCample was an independent public relations and communications consultant. He also did improvisational comedy. He chronicled his cancer fight in his own unique way in a personal blog he called “Mattie D vs. the Evil C.” The blog is at decample.tumblr.com A memorial service is scheduled for Sunday, March 10, at 2 p.m. at the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. Another service is planned this summer in the Seattle area. DeCample is survived by his parents and a sister. Tributes by the hundreds poured in for DeCample, who was one of the most well-known and well-liked figures in Arkansas’s communications and political communities. KATV’s news director, Nick Genty, said in a quote published by the television station: “The outpouring of love on social media shows how many people Matt affected. Reporter, spokesperson, humorist, and maybe most importantly, a fighter. Rest in peace, Matt. You will be missed by so many.” Arkansas Publisher Weekly
• Freedom of Information Act Training and Q&A, Tuesday March 12, 10 a.m: Arkansas SPJ and representatives of the Arkansas Attorney General’s Office will host a FOIA training followed by a question-andanswer session with local journalists. Participants can learn how to use FOIA to access public records and understand how the law is used practically by reporters. The training is at the Central Arkansas Library System Cox Bookstore at Library Square Building, 3rd floor, 120 River Market Ave., in Little Rock. • Sunshine Trivia, Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.: Attendees can grab a drink and pizza while having their knowledge of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and its history put to the test. The fun night of FOIA trivia is at Vino’s Brewpub, 923 W. 7th St., in Little Rock.
Industry Quote of the Week “What a newspaper needs in its news, in its headlines, and on its editorial page is terseness, humor, descriptive power, satire, originality, good literary style, clever condensation, and accuracy, accuracy, accuracy!”
• Police, Press and the Public, Saturday, March 16, 2 p.m.: Join Arkansas SPJ for a panel discussion with representatives of local police departments and professional journalists. The panel will discuss public information, transparency, crime, community policing and how media and police work with each other. Panelists include Officer Tommy Norman of the North Little Rock Police Department, Lt. Michael Ford with the Little Rock Police Department, Mitchell McCoy of KARK and Clara Turnage of the Arkansas DemocratGazette. The panel discussion is at the Darragh Center in the Central Arkansas Library System Main Library, 100 S. Rock St., in Little Rock. Arkansas SPJ suggests a $5 donation for admission at each event, with the money going toward printing costs for the next edition of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Handbook. The 19th version of the handbook, produced in conjunction with a number of stakeholders, will be printed later this year. The handbook is the state’s definitive and most up-to-date resource on FOIA.
Mark Your Calendar 2019 APA Convention June 26-29, Hotel Hot Springs
- Joseph Pulitzer 2
March 7, 2019
Guest Column: We lost one of our own, Terry Hawkins By Pat Brown Emmerich Newspapers
(Editor’s Note: Dumas Clarion publisher Terry Hawkins died last month at age 67. Pat Brown, of Emmerich Newspapers wrote this tribute to him. It first appeared in the Magee Courier and Simpson County News in Mississippi, where Brown serves as publisher)
This week I received the dreaded news that I had hoped would never come: my friend and colleague Terry Hawkins of our Dumas Clarion newspaper had lost his battle with cancer. The good news was that he would no longer face the pain and suffering he had endured these past several months. Terry was a victim of cancer, a certain kind that attacked different parts of his body, but he put up one heck of a fight. This was actually his second battle with cancer, his first being with leukemia. This most recent bout was with a form that struck his pancreas but not the type that we are all familiar with. Terry was a prince of a fellow, one whom we in the paper business should aspire to be like. Terry got his start at The Dumas Clarion in 1974. With a short hiatus he remained with the paper until last week. When he became too ill to drive to work his staff would pick him up and bring him to the office. But for the last two weeks before he died, he was not even able to do that. He operated the office by remote. A memorial service was held for him last Wednesday at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Dumas. Someone asked, why so late? It was simple. He wanted his staff to be able to attend if they wanted to but he knew they had to get the paper out. So, 4 p.m. gave them enough time after deadline that everyone could
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
attend if they locked up the office. Locking up early doesn’t happen very often, but for Terry they did it. He had planned what he wanted for his service. A black lady sang her rendition of “Amazing Grace” and another favorite of mine was sung by everyone, “It Is Well With My Soul.” I thought the preacher had missed the mark in his funeral sermon until he got to his own relationship with Terry. He painted a picture for all to see. I was just a guest in Dumas, but many there “knew” me because of Terry’s discussions with them about me. I was really surprised, and it pleased me to know he thought highly enough of me for folks to have an idea of who I was. I asked if it would be okay with his lady friends if I planned a reception in Terry’s memory at the office. However, I first had to get permission from Debbie Shae, the ring leader of their Rat Pack. They took personal care of Terry to the end. Their assistance included taking Terry to his doctor’s appointments, paying the bills, helping plan out all the funeral details, and whatever else needed to be done. After some pleading, they allowed me to plan the wake at the office. I did not tell them until later that I planned to speak. However, once I finished, I suppose I could
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have passed the plate for a collection. We had applause, there was laughter and I think everyone enjoyed my perspective on my friend Terry. I joked that he would not have officially approved of the get together but it really would have tickled him. While I was there, we had to plot the future of the newspaper, The Dumas Clarion, without Terry’s leadership. I named as new publisher a current staff member, and that pleased everyone immensely. During the transition, which went on for a couple of months, the staff performed in a superb manner--never missing a step and more importantly a deadline. Community members as well as former employees came out of the woodwork to help with the paper while Terry was sick, and some are still in the process of that, not with the idea of being paid but to make sure things were done properly for Terry. What a testimony to someone. I referred to Terry as Mr. Dumas Clarion, Mr. Dumas Arkansas and a few other things, especially when I was cleaning his office. He had records since he started in 1974. I hope someday that I can garner the respect that Terry had earned from his community. Until then we will keep plodding along.
March 7, 2019
92nd Arkansas General Assembly
Legislative Report
APA is monitoring the following filed bills of interest to our industry and the public: Bill No. / Author
Short Description
APA Position
Current Status
HB 1003 Rep. Gazaway
An act to add antibullying measures at schools, to allow school boards to meet in executive sessions for bullying investigations
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in House Education Committee
HB1015 Rep. Mayberry
Requires journalism to be offered as an elective course in public high school
Supports
Failed in House Education Committee
HB1041 Reps. Ladyman, Eads
Raises the threshold for municipalities to competitively bid projects from $20,000 to $50,000, thus abolishing public notice requirements for municipal expenses between $20,000 and $50,000
Opposes
Passed the House; awaits hearing in Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee
HB1178 Rep. Wardlaw
Changes state procurement law for a variety of purposes, but adds a specific Freedom of Information Act exemption for requests for information from potential bidders
Opposes
Passed House and Senate
HB1231 Rep. Lowery
Establishes rights for student journalists at Arkansas higher education institutions
Supports
Passed House and Senate
HB 1302 Rep Cozart
Provides for rules that effect multiple state agencies to be grouped together for the purposes of providing notice, holding hearings, and advancing rules legislatively
Neutral
Passed House and Senate
HB1343 Rep. Hawks, Rep. Mark Johnson
Requires a county’s annual financial report to be published on the county website as well as in the newspaper
Neutral
Awaits initial hearing in House City, County and Local Affairs Committee
HB1382 Rep. Sorvillo
Exempts lottery winners’ identities from the Freedom of Information Act
Opposes
Passed House Rules Committe; advances to House
HB1404 Rep. Speaks
Allows for publication of a school district’s budget in a newspaper published in or with a bona fide circulation in the county or counties where the school district is located
Neutral
Passed House; awaits hearing in Senate Education Committee
HB1417 Rep. Gray
Establishes a Freedom of Information Act exemption for the identities of confidential informants
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in House State Agencies Committee
HB1432 Rep. Mayberry
Protects rights of high school student journalists and adds protections for student media advisors
Supports
Failed in House Education Committee
HB1440 Rep. Ferguson
Establishes the Maternal Mortality Review Committee and exempts the committee from the Freedom of Information Act
Opposes
Passed House, Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee; awaits inital hearing in Senate
HB1441 Rep. Bentley
Establishes the Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Quality Review Committee and exempts the committee from the Freedom of Information Act
Opposes
Passed House, Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee; awaits inital hearing in Senate
HB1499 Rep. Maddox
Changes public notice requirements for statutory foreclosures
Neutral
Passed House; awaits hearing in Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee
HB1500 Rep. Gazaway
Exempts cybersecurity threat assessments from disclosure under FOIA
Neutral
Passed House; awaits hearing in Senate State Agencies Committee
HB1551 Rep. Eubanks
Prohibits schools under the Freedom of Information Act from disclosing records of the arrest or detention of a student
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in House Education Committee
HB1556 Rep. House
Establishes a FOIA exemption for active, ongoing Arkansas Beverage Control Board investigations
Neutral
Awaits initial hearing in House Rules Committee
HB1557 Rep. House
Establishes a FOIA exemptions for security plans and assessments of medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation facilities and labs
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in House Rules Committee
HB1559 Rep. Jean
Creates a FOIA exemption for division orders or declarations of interest submitted to county assessors regarding mineral rights
Pending
Passed House, Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee; advances to full House
HB1630 Rep. Lundstrum
Gives active and retired law enforcement officeers the ability to keep personal contact information and tax records secret under FOIA
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in House State Agencies Committee
HB1702 Rep. Speakes
Permits a school district to publish notice of bond sales in a newspaper published in or with a bona fide circulation in the county or counties where the school district is located
Neutral
Awaits initial hearing House Education Committee
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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March 7, 2019
92nd Arkansas General Assembly
Legislative Report
APA is monitoring the following filed bills of interest to our industry and the public: Bill No. / Author
Short Description
APA Position
Current Status
SB3 Sen. Garner
Requires reporting from physicians and healthcare facilities requiring detailed information about abortion procedure complications and exempts the required report from the Freedom of Information Act.
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee
SB 230 Sen. Hammer
Creates a new civil action for invasion of privacy and allows a lawsuit against someone for intruding into private affairs or publicizing an individual in a false light
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate Judiciary Committee
SB 231 Sen. Hammer
Expands the definition of “public records” in the Freedom of Information Act to include records of a private entity that spends a minimum of 20% of its time, resources and efforts supporting a government function
Opposes
Failed Senate State Agencies Committee
SB 233 Sen. Hammer, Rep. Lowery
Amends notice requirements for school elections
Neutral
Passed Senate Education Committee; advances to full Senate
SB 277 Sen. Hill, Rep. Cameron Cooper
Removes public notice requirement for internet sale of certain surplus county property
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate City, County and Local Affairs Committee
SB306 Sen. Teague
Allows the winner of a Powerball or Mega Millions drawing to make his or her records with the Arkansas Lottery Commission confidential under the Freedom of Information Act
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate State Agencies Committee
SB319 Sen. Ballinger
Provides for additional public notice requirements in a local government taking of abandoned or blighted property
Supports
Awaits initial hearing in Senate Judiciary Committee
SB409 Sen. Flippo
Allows public entities to publish notice to receive bids on a website rather than in a newspaper
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate State Agencies Committee
SB411 Sen. Stubblefield
Exempts from disclosure any investigations or reports related to whether a municipality is a sanctuary city; prohibits sancutary city policies
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate City County and Local Affairs Committee
SB441 Sen. Bledsoe
Prohibits all advertising related to medical marijuana
Opposes
Awaits initial hearing in Senate Agriculture and Economic Development Committee
SB464 Sen. Hester
Exempts from disclosure under FOIA almost all information regarding letahl injection procedures; makes “reckless” release of information a Class D felony
Opposes
Passed Senate Judiciary Committee; advances to full Senate
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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March 7, 2019
YOU ROCK. WE ROCK.
Little Rock.
APA 2019 AD CONFERENCE March 7 & 8
Embassy Suites, Little Rock
Arkansas Publisher Weekly
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March 7, 2019
ConferenCe sChedule THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019
FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019
1:00 PM
Registration Opens
1:30 PM
Welcome, Introductions & Annoucements Session One: Presented by Diane Ciotta
8:00 AM 9:00 AM
Building Strong Relationships by Understanding Needs •Having a ‘Business Development Specialist’ Focus •Identifying Prospects’ Business Needs vs “Advertising Wants” •Determining a Comfortable Program Investment Professionally
2:30 PM 3:00 PM
Break Session Two: Presented by Diane Ciotta
Need Fulfillment through Integrity Based Recommendations •Selecting & Supporting Appropriate Options with Benefits •Presenting Long Term Commitments with Confidence •Managing Unavoidable Challenges with Conviction
5:00 PM 6:00 PM
Reception in hotel lobby
8:00 PM
Shuttle back to hotel
Breakfast HOT Ideas!
Bring your best advertising ideas (and samples) to share with the group! Prize money will be awarded.
10:00 AM Break 10:15 AM Roundtable Discussion NOON
2019 Better Newspaper Advertising Awards Luncheon
Group Dinner
at BRAVO! Promenade Shopping Center
Guest speaker Diane Ciotta | Training Classics/The Keynote Effect Diane has effectively motivated advertising sales professionals around the country to focus on their prospects’ needs vs. their own, through dynamic skills enhancement seminars. Her speciality in the publishing industry is based on personal experience and is portrayed with an incomparable ability to relate to her participants, which results in immeasurable return on investment. Diane concentrates on increasing confidence and uses Jersey sarcasm combined with Italian passion to emphasize proven successful concepts and techniques for driving incremental revenue while improving client retention. She understands all aspects of the business and has published a children’s educational newspaper in her hometown as well as authoring her book focused on common sense based success in sales entitled Shut-Up & Sell! Arkansas Publisher Weekly
Diane was born, raised and still happily resides in central Jersey. 7
March 7, 2019