Arkansas Publisher Weekly: December 3, 2020

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APA media directory available in print, digital formats Guest Column:

A different kind of question

Arkansas Press Association

Publisher Weekly

By Peter Wagner

Vol. 15 | No. 49 | Thursday, December 3, 2020 | Serving Press and State Since 1873

Unexpected ‘COVID beat’ keeps reporters busy Since March, at least one thing has been certain about COVID-19 for reporters assigned to cover the novel pandemic and public health response: “It’s a guaranteed story every day,” said Keith Inman, lead reporter for The Jonesboro Sun’s coverage of the coronavirus.

Inman’s been writing articles chronicling the crisis in northeast Arkansas for the last nine months, with specific attention to county-by-county illness and death rates.

Another reporter at the Sun, Adria Hyde, writes two or three times a week about the virus’s toll at area schools.

said. “Nursing homes aren’t just calling us to let us know they’ve had 100 people to get infected.”

Like the Sun, Berryville’s Carroll County News updates readers with coronavirus numbers in its weekly editions. News editor Scott Loftis said the biggest frustration for him in reporting on COVID-19 is the inability to learn from authorities just who in the region may have been infected or died from coronavirus because of privacy laws.

Inman said newspapers provide analysis that readers may not find anywhere else.

Another challenge, according to Loftis, is that the small hospital in Berryville is owned by an out-of-state corporation that oversees media communications.

“We go through those reports to see why things are spiking and try to get an explanation about what’s happening,” he

“We’re in a unique position,” Loftis said.

“We don’t get a lot of information from our hospital; and it’s a little different being a

weekly in that we don’t do a daily update.”

Both Loftis and Inman handle coronavirus coverage even as they continue to chase their existing beats. For Inman, it’s Jonesboro City Hall. Loftis and his team cover government entities throughout Carroll County.

“We’ve been doing a little bit more based on audio or video recordings,” Loftis said, adding that they’ve only had the ability to attend two Quorum Court meetings since March. They’ve relied on audio to write about the other sessions.

For Jeannie Roberts, a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the lack of face-to-face interaction with sources or in meetings is one of the more frustrating aspects of reporting during the pandemic.

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Unexpected ‘COVID beat’ keeps reporters busy Continued from Page 1

“Without a face-to-face meeting, you can miss so much,” Roberts said. “I have deep respect for public servants and have found the majority of them to be honest and transparent, but our lack of a physical presence is also a lack of oversight and accountability.”

Loftis and Roberts both said community support for ongoing pandemic coverage has been widespread. Loftis noted that the News has received emails from many community members who “by and large have appreciated the fact that we’re covering it,” though he decried some comments from “trolls” on the newspaper’s Facebook page.

“We have to keep everybody informed and they are hungry for it,” Roberts said.

“Every time I write something, I get emails and I get calls. It’s information overload, but I take pride that me and my colleagues are working so hard to find the truth and get the truth out there.”

Roberts has teamed with Andy Davis, the Democrat-Gazette’s health reporter, to focus on COVID-19 for the state’s largest daily newspaper. In addition to locally

APA compiling year-end list of industry deaths

As has become customary over the last few years, the Arkansas Press Association will publish a complete listing of deaths within our industry in the last edition of Arkansas Publisher Weekly this year. That edition will be distributed Thursday, Dec. 31.

written articles and a full-page breakdown of data, the Democrat-Gazette devotes multiple pages in its digital replica edition to additional national and international coverage of the pandemic.

Roberts said she’s disappointed that most of her reporting has been by phone or video conference. She’s been to hospitals and COVID testing sites to work, but acknowledges there are safety issues involved.

“I kind of feel a little bit of guilt about this,” she said. “We’re the recorders of history and we’re doing it from the comfort of our new home offices. I’ve been wondering what we are missing by not being actual, visual witnesses to this.”

Roberts has been tasked with writing feature obituaries for many coronavirus victims, an assignment that’s been both difficult and affirming, she said. Though she’s blessed to hear pleasant memories shared by the loved ones of those who have died, Roberts said she can’t help but think about her parents, who are senior citizens.

“They’re both still here, but I’m terrified they’re going to be in the hospital dying alone from this,” Roberts said. “It affects me personally, very deeply. It’s difficult to hear from those who are mourning a loss and the hardest thing is that they died alone. I’ve been told ‘A nurse was holding up an iPad while I watched my husband die.’ It’s difficult to hear these stories and not cry along with them.”

Roberts said the personal trauma from covering COVID is quite different than that of reporting on a mass-fatality incident or another traumatic event, for example.

“This has been sustained trauma that just keeps on coming. It keeps on coming,” she said.

(The Carter Center has compiled dozens of online resources to help journalists who are covering the COVID-19 crisis report on trauma or manage their own trauma. Those resources are available at mentalhealthjournalism.org/covid-19mental-health-resources-for-journalistsand-you/ The site is frequently updated with additional information)

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While APA has worked throughout the year to chronicle deaths and publish obituaries in the weekly newsletter”, it’s possible that some may have been missed. APA is asking readers to submit the names of any individual whose obituary may have been inadvertently omitted this year, so that the obituary can be included in the year-end list.

Senior Associate

(850) 532-9466 (850)532-9466 532-9466 lfloyd@mediamergers.com (850) lfloyd@mediamergers.com lfloyd@mediamergers.com

(850) 532-9466 lfloyd@mediamergers.com

Readers who are aware of someone who passed away and had connections to the Arkansas newspaper industry should email the APA at info@arkansaspress.org.

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

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December 3, 2020

APA media directory available in print, digital formats For the first time ever, the Arkansas Press Association’s Arkansas Media Directory is available in a digital edition. The 2020-21 version of the director was released last month, and individuals or businesses may opt to receive the directory in digital form instead of print.

Both print and digital formats remain available, though, and can be purchased in the APA’s online store at arkansaspress. org.

2020SAS 2021 ARKA 2 0 2 0 - 2 0 2 1 A R K A NM N

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Ark ans Arkansas Press Association as Press Associat

ion

The guide, which was printed later than usual this year because of the pandemic, is the only publication in Arkansas to offer comprehensive listings and detailed contact information for in-state media. The directory includes up-to-date information on newspapers, newspaper-related companies, broadcasters, other media organizations, media bureaus, magazines, APA associate members, educational organizations, college newspapers and government officials.

APA members and associate members receive one complimentary listing and print or digital copy of the Media Directory as a membership benefit.

For nonmembers, a print or digital copy is $40, and a package of both print and digital versions is $60. Order on the website or by calling the APA at (501) 374-1500.

Arkansas Media Directory | 1

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Lincoln Ledger publisher dies following illness Joe Vance Mason Sr., the editor and publisher of the Lincoln Ledger in Star City, died Sunday, Nov. 29. He was 84.

loss, he purchased the Lincoln Ledger where he served as “editor in charge” and Peggy was known as “the boss.”

Mason was a Little Rock native who attended Little Rock Central High School and graduated from the School of Banking at Southern Methodist University. He became the program director at the Little Rock Boys Club in 1948, before starting his banking career at the First American National Bank in North Little Rock in 1959. He moved to the Bank of Glenwood in 1973 and was vice president of the bank. He moved to Star City in 1978 to work at the Bank of Star City.

During his illustrious career, Mason served as a governor of the American Institute of Banking, vice president of the North Little Rock Junior Chamber of Commerce, president of North Little Rock Civitan Club, member of the junior Optimist Club, Lions Club and Ruritan Club, and as an alderman, library commission chairman and parks and recreation commission chairman. He was president of the Star City Chamber of Commerce in 1984, and was that city’s “Man of the Year.”

After he retired from banking, he ran for Star City mayor and lost by one vote.

(Rumor has it that the deciding vote against him was from his wife, Peggy J. Newberry Mason.) After the mayoral Arkansas Publisher Weekly

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He was preceded in death by a son, Jody Mason. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; and a brother, Vernon Mason.

Graveside services will be Friday, Dec. 4, at Arkansas Memorial Gardens Cemetery in North Little Rock.

December 3, 2020

Guthrie named GM and editor Manning hired as advertising in Heber Springs director at The Courier Paxton Media Group has named Bruce Guthrie as general manager and editor of The Sun Times in Heber Springs.

He had been interim editor since Paxton purchased the Heber Springs newspaper last year.

Guthrie remains general manager and editor of The Batesville Daily Guard.

“Our goal is to give Heber Springs and Cleburne County the newspaper they deserve and can be proud of,” Guthrie said. “Our vow to you, the reader, is that we will promote the community while reporting the local news in an unbiased and fair manner.”

Guthrie said his team will cover community events, crime, education, municipal and civic meetings as well as sports.

Guthrie is an Army veteran. A native of Piggott, he attended Ouachita Baptist University.

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

Judy Manning, a 25-year newspaper veteran, has been hired as advertising director for The Courier in Russellville, the newspaper’s publisher announced.

Manning replaces Michelle Harris, who has retired after 28 years in ad sales at the newspaper, according to an announcement published in The Courier.

Manning was previously a sales representative for the newspaper.

“I am really excited that Judy has been named advertising director for The Courier,” Harris said in the newspaper’s announcement. “She has been an excellent employee and has the qualities it takes to successfully lead the sales department.”

Manning first worked in the industry as an office manager and typesetter at the Dardanelle Post Dispatch. She has worked for Paxton Media since 1995, and started working at The Courier in 2008 as a sales representative. She lives in Pottsville and has three children and four grandchildren.

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December 3, 2020

Guest Column: A different kind of question

By Peter Wagner Can our smaller community papers exist if most metro newspapers shut down their printed editions? I wish I could respond with a rousing “Yes,” as a committed small-market publisher. But I fear the future of most locally owned and managed community papers, with a few exceptions, is closely tied to the continued existence of big-city dallies.

My rationale is simple: There will be a huge reduction in the number of national and regional inserts, the use of print by the growing number of design studios will decrease, it will be even more difficult to find trained reporters and editors and the cost of printing, from plates to ink to newsprint, will increase.

THE USE OF INSERTS WILL LIKELY DISAPPEAR The planning, creative design and printing of grocery store and other major retailer inserts is a huge expense to those

businesses. It is an expense most regional and national chains can currently justify, because the cost per-home-reached is minuscule. Often the rebates from major brands promoted in the circular more than pay for the actual cost of printing.

But, eliminate the millions of copies being distributed through the metro papers and the cost-per-piece will definitely increase dramatically. Many chain stores are attempting to drive their customers to online circulars and daily specials. Without metro newspapers to deliver their inserts into the intercity, there is a good probability the insert business will disappear forever.

PRINT ADS FROM LOCAL DESIGN STUDIOS WILL DECREASE The hometown newspaper is already being slighted by the growing number of one- and two-person design studios that position themselves with local businesses as advertising agencies. Most such design

services are more interested in selling their web design and programing services that produce, for the local agency, greater financial return. Website and Facebook management can produce daily revenue.

The time invested in preparing a print ad usually results in the smaller billing of a one-time fee. Plus, many of those small design shop entrepreneurs, born during the early computer age, consider themselves and their ideas above and beyond the traditional forms of communication. To them, the further demise of the metro paper would be even more proof that creating and placing print ads would be a waste of their time and their client’s money. “Better,” they would say, “to invest in more online services through their shop.”

THE POOL OF GOOD REPORTERS AND EDITORS WILL DRY UP Some 10 years ago I was invited to spend Continued on Page 6

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December 3, 2020

Guest Column: A different kind of question Continued from Page 5

a day as the guest lecturer at a nearby state university school of journalism.

For some reason I still do not understand, the dean had included an hour with one of the public relations classes on my schedule.

The professor in charge greeted me with the statement “Welcome to Public Relations 201. We added this curriculum because there’s such limited pay and opportunity in print and television reporting.”

“Tell me,” I said, turning to address the class of 70 students, “how many of you know someone who has graduated from this program?”

Seventy hands, representing student in the room, went up.

every

“How many of you can attest that that person now has a good job in public relations?” I asked.

Just one hand went up in the air.

“So, what are the others doing?” I asked.

Working waiting tables in a restaurant, at a car wash, a convenience store and other low-paying jobs while they waited for a good PR position to come along, the classes replied.

“So why aren’t you preparing for a position in traditional journalism?” I asked. “The pay is better than you think, you get to

Arkansas Publisher Weekly

help mold the future of your community if not the world and our industry really needs fresh, young thinkers and doers.”

My point to them is colleges and universities are no longer promoting what is still called traditional journalism.

have to be even higher at the end of 2020.

Hundreds more of our nation’s newspapers have scaled back coverage so drastically that they’ve become what some researches call “ghost newspapers.”

PRODUCTION AND PRINTING COSTS WILL INCREASE

The plight of the printed paper is everybody’s business. Publishing was once a calling and a passion. Now it is often an “investment.” But investments must be nurtured and grown. Often group management, along with some community paper publishers, hope to reverse negative bottom lines and increase profits by drastically cutting the size of their newsroom. But in doing so they also reduce the amount of local news and information and the need to subscribe to their publication.

The rule of supply and demand works both ways. If there is too much demand the cost can go up as it often does at the gas pumps. But if there is too little demand the cost can also go up to cover the loss of volume. If the publishing industry continues to lose daily papers, or if those dailies continue to see huge losses in circulation, the cost of printing actual papers is sure to increase.

In many ways the future of the printed word looks bleak. But the future of local newspapers and the communities they serve are closely linked to everyone’s political, social and economic future and comfort level. If we who believe in and are committed to our hometown papers and free circulation papers want to survive, we need to focus on how to make sure the metro papers survive, too.

According to a 2018 study by the University of North Carolina School of Media and Journalism, about 20 percent of all metro and community papers in the United States have gone out of business or merged since 2004. That number would

Peter W. Wagner is founder and publisher of the award winning N’West Iowa REVIEW and 13 additional publications.

Wagner can be contacted by emailing pww@iowainformation.com or calling his cell at (712) 348-3550.

If the metro papers disappear, our schools of higher learning will place even less emphasis on teaching journalism and there will be even fewer potential employees for the remaining newsrooms. Also, with the decline of big-city daily papers, there will be a loss of visible high-profile reporting that once enthused so many into the print journalism fraternity.

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December 3, 2020