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Deadline to submit photos for 2019 APA Media Directory one week away David Fisher recognized for two terms on NNA board
ARKANSAS
PRESS
Ar kansas
Publisher Weekly
ASSOCIATION
Vol. 13 | No. 43 | Thursday, October 25, 2018
Serving Press and State Since 1873
Elementary school newspapers inspiring next generation of journalists Editor’s note: As policymakers remove the requirement for schools to teach journalism, and amid recent news of newspaper closures in the state, it’s heartening to learn about elementary school students in Greenbrier and Jonesboro who are recognizing the importance of a good newspaper. Here are articles from the Jonesboro Sun’s Chris Wessel and Maggie McNeary from the Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists. The Greenbrier students recently won an Arkansas Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) award for their efforts. By Chris Wessel Jonesboro Sun editor You may recall a column I wrote in September about visiting a sixth-grade
class at Nettleton STEAM to talk to a small group of 11-year-olds who supposedly wanted to start a school newspaper. Most youngsters these days have their eyeballs fixed to their cellphone screens, so I was skeptical children that young would be interested in journalism, much less starting their own newspaper. I was surprised, shocked really. They were more than interested; they seemed serious and determined. After rambling on for about 45 minutes, I took questions from the seven classmates, their inquiries showing me they had paid close attention, taken notes and even prepared before my wandering lecture. They wanted to know the who, what, when, where, why — and especially how
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Israel Bollinger, 10, holds a copy of the newspaper, “What’s Up Eastside,” he started at Greenbrier Eastside Elementary in January. Arkansas SPJ will present Bollinger with the first President’s Diamond in the Rough Award at the chapter’s Diamond Journalism Awards in Little Rock. Photo courtesy of Jason Bollinger.
Arkansas newspapers bring more than just journalistic value to communities During National Newspaper Week’s 78th annual observance earlier this month, publications across the country celebrated the value of good journalism. Community newspapers across Arkansas daily demonstrate their relevance and importance by providing quality journalism to their readers. But Arkansas Press Association (APA) member newspapers are also finding other, novel ways to engage with the public and demonstrate their value. “Over the last few months, we’ve seen
our members use several interesting and creative ways to market themselves to the communities they serve,” APA Executive Director Ashley Wimberley said. “During a time of transition for our industry, it’s always good to think outside the box to generate revenue and connect with readers.” For example, in both Washington and Hot Spring counties, APA members newspapers are asking animal lovers to participate in a friendly competition to Continued on Page 3