Awards

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Column writing leaves the writer vulnerable to attack. I admire their tough-skinned approach while also not being afraid to share their opinions.

I’ve tried to use those lessons at The Record by taking a stand for what we believe to be best for our community, not just sharing our opinion for the sake of that but studying the landscape of our community and then sharing actions or thoughts we believe would be for the greater good, to make our community a better place.

We try to inform our readers of the issues that face them and then share our knowledge to make our readers more informed, to hold public officials accountable. Sometimes the column has to be biting because the issue is, other times, we can share options and analysis. We can use our voice to argue a point or to guide a reader.

Either approach has to be built on trust, respect and consistency — all three hallmark attributes of Deane and Blagg.

Democracy and journalism go hand-in-hand. People need to be informed to make decisions. Columnists have a unique role in a paper, they get to process the facts and then explain the issues in a way that is more like visiting with your neighbor at a coffee shop.“

Charles Gordon Newman Award For Distinguished News Story

This award is named in honor of the founder of the Pine Bluff Commercial and a founder of the Arkansas Press Association, Charles Gordon Newman.

The story was entitled “’Nothing to it:’ Reese responds to police report, tax liens.” The judges said this was a “clear winner in a crowded category. Great job with what was undoubtedly and uncomfortable story that needed to be reported.”

Scott Loftis, editor and publisher, Carroll County Community Media, Berryville:

“I have to admit I was quite surprised to win the Newman Prize. I often say that ‘small’ newspapers can do big things, but even I expected the Newman award to go to someone from one of the big daily papers.

I love working for a ‘community newspaper’ and letting our readers know about all the good things happening in our community, but part of being a responsible newspaper is also letting our readers know about things that might not be so ‘positive.’ I spent most of my career before I came to Carroll County at those big daily newspapers and as a journalist my favorite stories to tell are still those that someone doesn’t want me to tell. This was certainly one of those and when I interviewed the subject of the story, he seemed to be vaguely threatening.

‘I will take very serious if that, if everything in that is put out in the newspaper,’ he said.

‘You should take it seriously,’ I replied. ‘It’s a serious matter.’

This was an important story about a candidate for public office. People need to know everything they can about who’s asking for their vote. I’m glad we were able to do our job and shine some light into a dark corner.

I spent more than 10 years working at the Pine Bluff Commercial, which Charles Gordon Newman founded. He also was a cofounder of the Arkansas Press Association, and I serve on the APA’s board of directors. My connections to the Commercial and the APA made the award even more gratifying.”