Arkansas Publisher Weekly: June 22, 2023

block deadline just days away; reserve by Monday

Guest Column:

Rolen Around the Bend

By Charity Rolen

UCA’s Keith to be honored as APA Journalism Educator of the Year

A conversation with Dr. David Keith, journalism lecturer and The Echo advisor at the University of Central Arkansas, clearly demonstrates his focus is 100 percent on his students.

That intense commitment, as well as years of professional accomplishments, have led to his being selected as the Journalism Educator of the Year by the Arkansas Press Association. Dr. Keith will be appropriately honored July 21 at the annual APA Convention in Little Rock.

“This is an honor for my students, not for me,” Dr. Keith said. His real satisfaction comes from seeing personal development and eventual career success achieved by his students. “That’s what I am most proud of,” he said.

Dr. Keith had a transition in late 2005 when a highly successful career in community journalism led to an offer to become a fulltime lecturer in the journalism program at UCA.

He and his wife Tammy had decided to resign their positions at the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway to move down a different path. The initial concern was where that path was leading.

“I left (the newspaper) primarily because of the stresses it was putting on my life,” Dr. Keith said. “I needed a change. But we didn’t know what we were going to do.”

Earlier, while still employed at the LCD, Dr. Keith had agreed to teach a beginning reporting class at UCA upon invitation of faculty member Donna Stephens.

His initial response to the suggestion had been a “quick and emphatic no,” Dr. Keith

said. “But Donna is persistent, so I gave it a try. Besides, I realized at the time that I could use the $2,600.

“I eventually learned two things about teaching – I did enjoy it and it is a whole lot more work than people realize.” The classroom lectures were two-and-a-half hours a week, but much more time was spent reading the work of his students.

The big career shift came when Dr. Stephens, currently the director of the School of Communication at UCA, helped put together a package to offer him a fulltime teaching position.

That was in December of 2005, and Dr. Keith began his journalism education career a month later.

“I was very fortunate,” he said. “I had a full load of classes, and I could see I wanted to stay with it.”

Dr. Joseph Anderson, at the time the department chair at UCA, advised Dr. Keith that obtaining a master’s degree was an expectation. While still teaching full-time, he entered the graduate program at the University of Arkansas Little Rock and completed the work in 2010.

He then decided to continue his educational path and earned his doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2021. He taught at UCA while enrolled in the program but did spend two summers at Hattiesburg.

His doctoral dissertation involved analyzing how college newspapers were coping with the decline in print journalism.

Dr. David Keith

APA convention room block deadline just days away; reserve by Monday

The deadline is Monday, June 26 for those wishing to reserve rooms for the upcoming convention under the APA block at the DoubleTree by Hilton Little Rock.

The APA Convention will be held July 2022. Rooms are available with one king bed or two queen beds at the APA rate of $135 per night. Hotel amenities include free WiFi, non-smoking rooms, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and a business center.

“The theme of the convention this year is ‘Arkansas Newpapers: Connecting Our Communities for 150 Years’,” APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley said. “We’ve got a great program lined up and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone in July.”

To reserve your room visit bit.ly/3HRnzqI. A convention registration form and full schedule of convention activities are in this edition of Arkansas Publisher Weekly

Keith

Continued from page 1

That blended right into his work at The Echo, for which he has been the faculty advisor since 2007.

Dr. Keith has used his own experience as a community journalist to develop into an effective teacher and newspaper advisor.

Where The Echo is concerned, “I make it very clear that I am the ADVISOR,” he emphasizes. “The students are in charge of that newspaper. They do all the writing and editing. In fact, I don’t read any of the content until it comes out on Wednesday morning.

“As their advisor it is my job to empower them to think critically so they can make decisions on their own.”

Dr. Keith said journalists are problemsolvers. They need to know who to talk to, how to get information, how to communicate clearly to readers and viewers and how to make the final product look professional.

He said today’s students take their work seriously and are interested in issues that will affect them in the future, such as presidential politics, climate change and social justice.

“They really do care about these things,” he said.

One problem often encountered in teaching students basic reporting is their initial reluctance to interview subjects. Dr. Keith attributes this, in part, to the world of mobile phones and social media. “They are often scared to talk directly to people because they haven’t done it,” he said.

“We just encourage the students to jump in and get started,” he added. His more experienced students and reporters often help newcomers work through their fear of interviews.

Dr. Keith has taught a variety of classes

See Keith Page 3

Attorney General Griffin Announces Creation of FOIA Review Working Group

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin announced on June 14 the creation of an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act Review Working Group

Griffin named seven people to the FOIA Review Working Group. They are State Senator Breanne Davis of Russellville; Ryan Owsley, Deputy Attorney General, Opinions Division; John Payne, Deputy Attorney General, Civil Litigation Division; State Representative David Ray of Maumelle; State Senator Clarke Tucker of Little Rock; John Tull III, Partner at Quattlebaum, Grooms & Tull, PLLC and APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley

The group will review the FOIA and provide the Attorney General with recommendations on how to improve the law.

“It is important to be proactive in having these discussions in advance of legislative sessions,” said Wimberley. “I look forward to hearing the thoughts and ideas of others in this working group and seeing where there are opportunities to find middle ground while maintaining the strength of the state’s FOIA.”

“Guarding the state’s Freedom of Information Act has been a large part of my legal career,” said Tull, who also represents APA and its member newspapers. “I’m honored to serve with the other members of this working group to find ways to improve FOIA but maintain its strength. I’m thankful to Attorney General Griffin for bringing together this group to open this discussion.”

INDUSTRY QUOTE

Keith

Continued from page 2

during his tenure at UCA, including beginning reporting, advanced reporting, in-depth reporting, political reporting, editorial and review writing and interviewing.

Students earn a single journalism degree, but have a choice of focus from among broadcast, print and internet. An internship also is required for graduation. UCA normally has about 75 students working toward a journalism degree.

Dr. Keith strongly believes in internships as a value for both students and local media. “I really want to encourage newspaper owners, publishers and editors to take advantage of the skills of our college journalists,” he said. “The students really need the experience. Pay them if you can, because they have bills to deal with, too, but the experience is what really matters.”

He thinks use of interns is an excellent way for newspapers to “get someone to fill in the gaps in their coverage.”

Professional journalists also have an opportunity, he points out, to assist high school and college students through visiting their classes and working with them in such areas as designing pages and improving their writing.

“I think it’s important to get our professionals connected with students to help build the next generation in our industry,” he said. And he knows a specific way to help make that happen. “Newspapers need to support and participate in the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation internship program.”

Dr. Keith said his students obviously are interested in achieving success in their industry and often have goals related to major outlets such as ESPN, CNN or the New York Times, but he also encourages them to focus on community journalism. “It is important to make a difference in your community,” he said.

He also believes a journalism degree can lead to success in myriad fields, because “you are a critical thinker, a problem-solver and are not afraid to talk to people.”

Dr. Keith believes the future of college newspapers is bright, often filling a critical need in many parts of the country. For

See Keith Page 4

“The window to the world can be covered by a newspaper.”

Stanislaw Jerzy Lec

Dr. Keith with The Echo Editor Mia Waddell.

Keith

Continued from page 3

example, the only newspaper in Ann Arbor, Mich., is the student publication at the University of Michigan. As for-profit community publications continue to struggle across the country, he anticipates student newspapers potentially stepping up to help fill the void.

The Echo increasingly focuses on stories and issues in the broader Conway community, Dr. Keith said. “Obviously, the industry has changed exponentially, and it is going to continue to change,” Dr. Keith said. “But there will always be the need to provide information from credible sources. Our job is to find ways to provide accurate, verifiable and unbiased information.”

He encourages students to read and watch a variety of news sources to help them develop a balanced perspective.

“If you can show readers that you are providing credible information, then hopefully you will be able to grow your audience,” Dr. Keith tells his students.

For some 25 years, Dr. Keith was in the middle of the arena of community journalism, evolving from recognition at an early age that he wanted to be a writer.

A native of Malvern, as an eighth grader he unexpectedly found himself in a journalism class when the school decided to drop a study hall. At first, he was not a happy student, complaining that he “got stuck in a journalism class.” But it was there that his love of writing emerged, eventually leading him to Arkansas State University and its well-respected journalism department. He was on the staff of The Herald student newspaper and spent two summers as an intern at the Malvern Daily Record, working with well-known newspapermen Bill McKelvey, Bill Whitehead and Mike McNeill.

He graduated from ASU with a journalism degree in 1981 and began working at the Jonesboro Sun, then published by John Trout, Jr. He was a general assignment reporter and additionally developed a niche in covering city utility issues.

“I always said I would never date anyone I worked with,” Dr. Keith said. That vow went by the wayside when he met his future wife

Tammy while working on the staff with her at The Sun. “Our desks were separated by a trash can,” he said with a laugh. They met in 1984 and were married three years later.

Dr. Keith said his avenue for advancement was limited at The Sun since the owner’s two sons were involved in the publication. That led to an open discussion with Trout, and the publisher was helpful in suggesting potential opportunities across the state for the young journalist.

“One of the places he recommended was the Log Cabin Democrat in Conway,” Dr. Keith said.

Eventually he and Tammy were hired at the newspaper in 1990. His beats were city government and utilities, and she focused on education meetings and issues.

Working under publisher Frank Robins, Dr. Keith became city editor in 1992. The newspaper was sold a couple of years later to Morris Communications, and Mike Hengel was named publisher. “I really learned a lot about the newspaper industry from Mike,” Dr. Keith said. He was promoted to managing editor in 1994 and stayed at the publication until the defining decision in 2005 to become a journalism educator. At that time, Tammy went to work at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, involved in the publication’s zoned editions. She retired from full-time journalism in 2019 but still does freelance work.

Dr. Keith was an award-winning reporter and editor during his lengthy newspaper career. In considering some of his most memorable stories to cover, he cited the Posse Comitatus incident in Lawrence County in 1983 while working at the Jonesboro Sun. Posse Comitatus founder Gordon Kahl was hiding at a house in Smithville (Lawrence County) after being involved in a shootout in North Dakota that left several lawmen dead.

With police officers surrounding the residence, Lawrence County Sheriff Harold Gene Matthews entered, and he and Kahl fired their weapons almost instantaneously. Kahl was killed instantly, and Sheriff Matthews suffered wounds which shortly led to his death. See Keith Page 5

The Echo staff threw a party for Dr. Keith upon completion of his doctorate in 2021.

Seventeen students suprised Dr. Keith at his house for his birthday in 2016.

City admits FOIA violations; lawsuit dismissed, reimbursements ordered

The city of Branch admitted it violated the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act by not recording its public meetings and by overcharging for access to public records, and in return Circuit Court Judge Jack Patterson on June 7 dismissed a lawsuit against the city, according to an article in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Fort Smith Attorney Joey McCutchen filed the lawsuit in Franklin County Circuit Court at Charleston on behalf of his client, Branch resident J.B. Turner, who had requested the recordings because he felt the written minutes were inaccurate and he believed he has been misquoted on a particular issue.

The court ordered the city to record its

meetings and maintain them for a year, as required by state law, and to reimburse Turner the money he spent to obtain public records as well as pay attorney and court fees.

In February, when the lawsuit was filed, Branch Mayor Gerald Harris said he wasn’t aware of an April 2019 change in the FOIA and that the city would follow the act in all future public meetings. Act 1028 amended the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967 to require all officially scheduled, special and called open meetings of first and second class cities and incorporated towns be recorded in a way that captures sound.

The act became effective in July 2020.

Keith

Continued from page 4

Dr. Keith covered the story, working with Sun editor Larry Fugate. “It was one of the first big breaking news stories I was involved with,” he said.

From an editor’s viewpoint, Dr. Keith was especially proud of the work accomplished by his staff at the Log Cabin Democrat in the aftermath of 9/11.

His staff located a man from Conway who had been in the Twin Towers and also reported on local doctors who had been involved in triage work at the disaster site. He also cited exceptional design and images the staff developed to augment their reporting.

“The work they did during that period really stands out to me,” he said.

Dr. Keith has continued to do freelance writing and editing over the years and has appeared on numerous news-related forums, such as AETN’s Arkansas Week.

He and Tammy have two sons; Scott, who lives in Little Rock, and John, who lives with his wife Brandi and daughter Kennedy, 6. “I still play some golf, but Kennedy is our major hobby,” Dr. Keith said.

Despite all the changes in journalism, Dr. Keith still loves the printed newspaper. He is appreciative of the quality achieved each week by his students in their printed version of The Echo. When he asked the staff if they want to allocate more resources to digital production and cut back on the print product, their answer was an emphatic “no.”

“They like to see their work and their names in print,” he said.

Above all, Dr. Keith has enjoyed following the successful careers achieved both by his earlier newspaper staffs and his college graduates.

“I get phone calls from former students still asking my advice,” he said. “I have always told them I am their advisor for life.”

Dr. David Keith

Camden News office manager retires after decades-long career

Star Herald offices move to historic site in Pocahontas

The Pocahontas Star Herald, the oldest business in Randolph County, has moved its offices to the historic Frisco Train Depot effective June 5.

The depot, located at 210 McDonald Street and owned by the city of Pocahontas, was deemed an ideal venue for the 143-yearold weekly newspaper. It currently also houses the Pocahontas Tourist Information Center and Transportation Museum.

“The current location on Thomasville Avenue served the Star Herald well, especially when CherryRoad Media acquired the publication and relocated it from its former site on Van Bibber Street,” said Editor John Allen French in the announcement of the move.

“We have been fortunate on Thomasville Avenue, but this move to the historic train depot presents us with an extraordinary opportunity.”

In conjunction with the relocation, the Pocahontas Star Herald will adjust its operating hours to allow public access to the depot. The new office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

“We are excited to collaborate with the city and be part of such a magnificent building,” said French.

Camden News Office Manager Bonny Garrett retired on June 14 after 30 years of employment.

“For 30 years, Bonny has been a tireless professional, a helpful co-worker, and a loyal friend to many,” said General Manager Robyn Yarbro. “We wish her the best and an enjoyable retirement.”

LIST YOUR JOBS

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The depot as it appears today

The depot as it appeared in 1967, a few years before train service to Pocahontas ended.

Warren’s American flag mural finds new home at Eagle-Democrat

Since 2019, a large mural of the American flag has inspired downtown Warren from the side of the former Rural Water building. But, this spring’s planned demolition of the dilapidated structure meant finding a new home for one of the city’s favorite landmarks.

Union Bank and Trust VP and branch manager Tricia Wilkinson and Union Bank and Trust VP and loan officer Randy Rawls announced in late April that the flag mural would be repainted on the side of The Eagle Democrat’s building at 200 West Cypress Street.

The new mural was started on May 30 and completed June 12.

Gannett

The original 2019 mural was funded by Make Warren Shine. The new mural is sponsored by Union Bank and Trust. Both were painted by muralist Jason White of White’s Arkworks.

Rawls thanked Pam and Danny Cook for the use of their building space and support of this project. The Cooks sold The Eagle Democrat to Smith Newspapers, Inc. in 2022 but retained ownership of the building.

“The American Flag means a lot to this community and Union Bank. We are honored to be a part of this wonderful community,” said Rawls.

files suit against Google, alleges unfair monopoly

Gannett Co., Inc., the largest publisher of newspapers in the United States, filed a federal lawsuit on June 20 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against Google for monopolization of advertising technology markets and deceptive commercial practices.

The lawsuit seeks to restore competition in the digital advertising marketplace and end Google’s monopoly, which will encourage investment in newsrooms and news content throughout the country.

“Google has monopolized market trading to their advantage and at the expense of publishers, readers and everyone else,” said Michael Reed, Gannett chairman and chief executive officer. “Digital advertising is the lifeblood of the online economy. Without free and fair competition for digital ad space, publishers cannot invest in their newsrooms.”

According to the lawsuit, Google made upwards of $30 billion in revenue from the sale of ad space on publishers’ websites in 2022, which was six times the digital advertising revenue of all U.S. news publications combined.

“For more than a hundred years, Gannett has been a tireless advocate for freedom of the press empowering communities to thrive. This lawsuit seeks to ensure we can continue our mission for hundreds of years more,” said Reed.

In Arkansas, Gannett publishes the Southwest Times Record in Fort Smith, plus weekly newspapers in Booneville, Charleston, Paris and Van Buren.

The full text of the complaint can be found at gannett.com/ wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-06-20-01-Gannett-v.-GoogleComplaint.pdf

The Arkansas Press Association visits Stone County Leader

APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley and Director of Network Marketing and Promotion Neil McConnell recently visited the Stone County Leader. The Leader has been serving Mountain View and Stone County since 1952.

Owners Rusty and Neal Fraser, Editor Lori Freeze, Advertising Representative Ed Coates and other newsroom and operational staff members met with APA on June 8 at the Leader offices on the town square.

step further. Through their help, students have access to Banzai learning tools, virtual or in-classroom presentations from a Bank OZK expert, and even class visits to a branch to see it all in person. Banzai resources are used by over 100,000 teachers across the U.S. These educational tools align with Arkansas’ state curriculum requirements, making the program a fun way for students to gain vital skills and an ideal way for anyone in the community to increase their financial literacy. After finishing the Banzai courses, users will know how to track where their money is and what it’s for, recognize financial tradeoffs, and plan for a financially sound future.

Teachers interested in using Banzai can visit bankozk. teachbanzai.com or call 888-8-BANZAI. For more information about Banzai visit banzai.org.

Grassy Gap news

By Jeannettia Goubeaux

her yard on the hillside that I did not want. Larry called his sister Theresia that lives in Cooksville TN. One of her daughters passed away.

Guest Column: Rolen Around the Bend

Vonda, Maven, and Becky went to Gulf Shores for a few days. I went out to my garden and picked some lettuce and pulled some weeds. David bush hogged the field next to my house. I think he is done. Thanks David. I have to weed eat in front of Tammie’s house.

By Charity Rolen

We had fog Saturday

The last couple weeks have been very busy for me at the Wave. I have been speaking to the local city councils and quorum courts. I’m trying to bring awareness and prevention for Suicide. I spoke to these groups asking for help to sponsor an ad that we are going to be running until I no longer can.

On this ad it has the 988-suicide hotline, We are the 22 intervention line, and going to have the veteran’s suicide hotline. I have been speaking to several groups to get more information and help. Our ad is $48 for six months if anyone would be interested in sponsoring. It is in this week’s edition on the back page.

I know talking about this subject had been seen as taboo. I believe that it’s time to stop treating this as an unmentionable subject. It is a real issue, and it needs to be brought to the light. If we don’t, more lives are going to be lost. This is something that is completely preventable. We just have to band together as a community and help each other. I know in this day and age that is rare, but a change is needed. It’s not just adults that are going through this, it’s affecting the kids too. Mental health is important! A lot of factors go into suicide, but mental health is a key ingredient.

Yes, this is because I lost someone very close to me due to suicide. I don’t want other families to have to go through this. If I can save just one life then all this work will be worth it.

As I close this week’s news please remember. You are enough, you are loved, and you are needed. Even if it doesn’t seem that way, this is not the end. All you need is one reason to fight. Keep your focus on that and please just reach out to someone.

I hope you have a wonderful week. I’ll see you Rolen Around the Bend in the Marshall Mountain Wave next time.

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Charity Rolen is the editor of the Marshall Mountain Wave She can be reached at mtnwavenews@gmail.com

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Arkansas Press Association Convention

DoubleTree Hotel | July 20 – 22, 2023

THURSDAY, JULY 20

Noon Arkansas Press Association Board of Directors Luncheon & Meeting

5 pm Cocktail Hour & Hors D’ouvres at the Arkansas Press Association Headquarters

7 pm – 10 pm Dinner at Cotham’s in the City & Live Music with Seth Van Dover

FRIDAY, JULY 21

8:30 am Breakfast Social with Omelette Station

Trade Show & Arkansas Newspaper Foundation Silent Auction Open

9:30 am Session: Digital & Paywall Strategies

Presenter: Bridget Sibthorp-Moecker, BLOX Digital

10:30 am Mimosa Break in the Trade Show

10:45 am Session: Improving Healthcare in Arkansas Through Media & Medicine

Presenters: Preston Tolliver & Katie Leath, UAMS

11:45 am Break in the Trade Show Noon Luncheon

Keynote Speaker: Janet Harris, Executive Director/CEO of the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

2 pm Session: Photojournalism via Smartphone

Presenter: Mark Humphrey, Associated Press

3:30 pm Panel Discussion: Maximizing Operational Efficiencies

Moderated by: Lori Freeze

4:30 pm Cookie Break in the Trade Show

5 pm Trade Show Closes

6 pm Honorees’ Reception

Featuring Arkansas Symphony Orchestra Harpist Alisa Coffey

7 pm Arkansas Press Association Honors Banquet

• Past Presidents’ Gavel Passing

• Installation of Eliza Hussman Gaines as President

• Presentation of Journalism Educator of the Year Award

• Presentation of Golden 50 Service Awards

SATURDAY, JULY 22

8 am Registration Opens

APA Past Presidents’ Breakfast (Invitation Only)

8:30 am APA Member Business Meeting & Breakfast

9 am Panel Discussion: Breaking Stories Using FOIA

Moderated by: Sonny Albarado

10:15 am Break 10:30 am Panel Discussion: Investigative Reporting

Moderated by: Sonny Albarado Noon Arkansas Press Association Better Newspaper Editorial Awards Luncheon

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Little Rock Room block open for reservations

Scan QR code or visit bit.ly/3HRnzqI

2023 APA Convention Registration Form

Deadline to register is July 17th

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