Dear Wisconsin Newspaper Association members,
Thank you for your Wisconsin Newspaper Association membership. Each year the WNA works to protect the First Amendment and business interests of every Wisconsin newspaper.
And each year, the association defends newspapers against a growing number of attempts designed to whittle away at basic press freedoms. Attacks on access to court and public records, open meetings and public notice are just some of the issues that the WNA responds to on an annual basis. Protecting the business interests of newspapering is also a primary concern, specifically in the areas of employment and taxation.
Much has been accomplished during the past year to promote the importance of newspapers in the public arena. The successful launch of the Wisconsin Civics Games high school competition and the editorial campaign to shine a light on homelessness in Wisconsin are just two of the community-based statewide efforts backed by the Wisconsin newspaper industry in 2019. Neither effort would have been possible were it not for the strong relationship that the WNA staff has with its members — members who believe in and share the same dedication to strong community-based journalism that we do.
As we look forward to 2020, the WNA remains dedicated to maintaining existing member services and identifying new resources. Specific projects scheduled for development in 2020 include the launch of a WNA content sharing platform; fundraising for the launch of a WNA capitol news bureau; and the roll-out of a statewide relevance project highlighting the importance of newspapers to Wisconsin communities. We hope that each of these efforts will assist you as you continue to adapt to the many changes facing the newspaper industry today.
- MARK YOUR CALENDARS: 2020 WNA Convention & Trade Show
On behalf of the WNA Board of Directors and the WNA staff, I would like to thank you for your commitment to the association and for the privilege of serving as your executive director.
Best wishes for a prosperous new year.
Very Sincerely,
Beth Bennett
Executive Director
Wisconsin Newspaper Association
