Arkansas Publisher Weekly: November 21, 2019

Page 1

4 5

Annual ArkLaMiss conference a great success

Guest Column:

The super sales person who wasn’t so super, after all By John Foust

Ar k ansas

ARKANSAS

Publisher Weekly

PRESS ASSOCIATION

Vol. 14 | No. 47 | Thursday, November 21, 2019

Serving Press and State Since 1873

Silliman getting out of the office for good on December 31 Sue Silliman leaves her office for good on Dec. 31, not that the WEHCO Media, Inc., veteran was in the office much for the last 36 years anyway. Instead, Silliman tried to spend her time as general manager of the Camden News and Magnolia NewsBanner out in the community, whether trying to generate revenue for the company or participating in civic groups or volunteer activities. The last few months, Silliman and her employees in Camden and Magnolia have been visiting subscribers at home or at local civic clubs touting the benefits of the newspapers’ transition to primarily digital publication. For years before that, Silliman would take time to drop in on advertisers to emphasis the importance of their business relationships with her newspapers. “I hated sitting in the office and I loved getting out,” Silliman said. “I’ve even told my staff, if you ever need help selling,

give me a call. That’s probably what I’ve enjoyed most, just getting out and visiting and helping businesses with their business.” Some of Silliman’s hands-on, active role at the newspapers was forged out of necessity, she said. At smaller newspapers, she said managers may also have to pitch in when it comes to delivering newspapers, handling phone calls or even tackling minor plumbing issues. It’s also part of her management style, since she maintains that no one on her staff would ever be asked to do something that she wouldn’t do herself. Sometimes as general manager, Silliman would lend her help to the newspapers’ advertising and composition teams. Her first newspaper job, at the El Dorado News-Times, was as art director. “I always tell composing, ‘Don’t make me get my border tape out! I can still do those

Silliman with APA Advertising Contest top award.

ads,’” she laughed. “I still like to go out and visit with advertisers, and even now if someone will come in and has an idea, I will sketch it out.”

Arkansas journalist sentenced to jail time for recording in court Benton County Circuit Court Judge Brad Karren ordered a television reporter to spend three days in jail this week for using the audio recorder on her phone to record a portion of a hearing in a murder case. Nkiruka Azuka Omeronye was sentenced Tuesday, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. The newspaper reported that Omeronye was cited for contempt of court Oct. 7. Karren had prohibited any recording in the courtroom and signs were posted stating audio recording is not allowed. Omeroyne, a reporter for Nexstar-owned KNWA and KFTA, told the judge she’d only made

recordings for note-taking purposes. Nevertheless, Karren imposed a 10-day jail sentence with seven days suspended, and six months probation. Omeroyne was ordered to pay $250 in court costs.

APA Executive Director Ashley Wimberley issued this statement regarding the sentence:

The Arkansas Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and Arkansas Press Women are among the media organizations that condemned the harsh sentence.

“The Bill of Rights ensures both freedom of the press and protection from cruel and unusual punishment. This harsh sentence is an affront to both. While Ms. Omeronye acknowledges unintentionally violating the judge’s order, she was simply trying to do her job as a journalist.

Omeryone had apologized to the judge, and she explained that she was allowed to use recording devices at her previous newsroom stops in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Phoenix.

“Obviously, reporters respect the right of judges to control their own courtrooms, but this was an overreaching sanction that could have a chilling effect on public access to government proceedings.”


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Arkansas Publisher Weekly: November 21, 2019 by Arkansas Press Association - Issuu