Briefing Archives | Page 16 of 28 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

polco, coronavirus, voter registration, presidential debates, covid-19

Poll: Which large events will you attend this summer?

May. 19, 2021

A new poll question about which large summer events readers plan to attend is available to be used by WNA members. We are asking the question as many annual summer events return amid the reduction of pandemic safety measures such as masks, distancing and capacity limits.

Poll questions are available through a WNA partnership with Polco aimed at helping newspapers better engage readers and access enhanced data and insights.

DOJ issues advisory regarding public records access under Marsy’s Law

May. 14, 2021

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Office of Open Government last week issued an advisory regarding the applicability of the state’s public records laws under Marsy’s Law.

The advisory instructs records custodians to continue applying the balancing test when responding to requests for records that contain information about crime victims, but notes the recent constitutional amendment strengthens the public policy interest in protecting victims’ rights.

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4 common blind spots among advertisers

May. 4, 2021

When we learned how to drive, we heard about blind spots.

Blind spots also are common in the advertising business, veteran sales trainer John Foust writes. In his most recent column, Foust takes a look at some examples of blind spots in sales and how advertising professionals can handle advertisers with blind spots.

Your Right to Know: Officials use digital dodges to hide records

May. 3, 2021

In March, The Washington Post reported that UW-Madison Chancellor Rebecca Blank sought to move a conversation around the COVID-19 pandemic and students returning to campus in the fall to a private portal used by presidents and chancellors of the 14 Big Ten universities.

It's just one example of a disturbing trend toward using digital platforms to evade Wisconsin’s Open Records Law, writes David Armiak, research director for the Center for Media and Democracy, in the most recent Your Right to Know column from the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council.

MMC launches Wittenberg Northerner Buyers Guide

Apr. 30, 2021

Multi Media Channels has launched a new local community shoppers' guide in central Wisconsin, the Wittenberg Northerner Buyers' Guide.

The first issue of the shopper was set to be delivered Thursday to approximately 10,000 homes in about a 20-mile radius around Wittenberg, which lies roughly 25 miles east of the metro Wausau area.

Volunteers needed to judge West Virginia newspaper contest

Apr. 27, 2021

Wisconsin Newspaper Association members are being asked to consider volunteering to judge the West Virginia Press Association's annual newspaper contest. Without reciprocal judging partnerships, the WNA would not be able to hold our annual contests.

WVPA needs at least 70 WNA members to sign up by May 23 to judge across a variety of editorial, photography, design and advertising categories. All judging will be done online and is scheduled to begin in late May or early June.

UW-Madison’s Kathleen Bartzen Culver named Scripps Howard teacher of the year

Apr. 26, 2021

Kathleen Bartzen Culver, director of UW-Madison’s Center for Journalism Ethics, has been named Teacher of the Year for 2020 in the 68th Scripps Howard Awards. Culver, who also is an associate professor and the James E. Burgess Chair in Journalism Ethics, has been a member of the UW journalism faculty for more than 20 years.

The annual awards, which were announced last week during a virtual awards show, will be rebroadcast May 8-9.

Students, newspapers sought for 2021 summer internship program

Apr. 23, 2021

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation is accepting applications from students and member newspapers for its 2021 Summer Internship Program.

Up to four college journalists will be placed at WNA-member newspapers across the state during the summer of 2021. Schedules — including any possibility of remote work during the pandemic — will vary based on the newspapers’ preferences, but interns will earn approximately $3,200 for an eight-week, full-time internship. Participating newspapers will receive a stipend from the WNA Foundation to help cover costs, but must provide at least $1,200 in matching funds for intern wages.

Bill would require legislators to stop deleting public records

Apr. 22, 2021

A bill introduced earlier this month seeks to eliminate the Wisconsin statute that excludes legislators and their staff from having to retain certain records, effectively allowing them to skirt the state’s public records law.

Senate Bill 289 was introduced on April 8 by Sen. Chris Larson (D-Milwaukee) and Kelda Roys (D-Madison). The Wisconsin Newspaper Association has registered its support of the legislation with the Ethics Commission.

Pat Simms’ family creates journalism scholarship fund

Apr. 20, 2021

The family of longtime Wisconsin State Journal reporter Pat Simms has created a journalism scholarship fund in her name. The fund will be used to support students "with a passion to study journalism."

Simms, who served as a journalism instructor and adviser after retiring from the State Journal in 2011, died Monday, April 5, after a fight with cancer. Those interested in contributing to the fund are directed to send donations to the M. Patricia Simms Journalism Scholarship Fund, c/o Meanwell Investment Group, 1 Erdman Place, Suite 200, Madison, WI 53717-2171.