Briefing Archives | Page 18 of 28 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

AP investigation wins 2021 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics

Mar. 25, 2021

Associated Press investigative reporters Margie Mason and Robin McDowell are the winners of the 2021 Anthony Shadid Award for Journalism Ethics, the Center for Journalism Ethics at UW-Madison has announced.

Mason and McDowell earned the award for their investigative series on palm oil labor abuses. They interviewed more than 130 current and former palm oil workers in Indonesia and Malaysia, chronicling instances of abuse such as rape, trafficking, slavery and child labor. The reporters will be presented with the award during an online ceremony in May.

8 tips to avoid credibility issues on social media

Mar. 23, 2021

The misuse of social media by reporters and editors — particularly on Twitter and Facebook — has made it easy for critics of the media to find fodder to back up claims that journalists are inherently biased. In his latest installment of Better Writing with Bart, veteran writing coach Bart Pfankuch provides some basic tips to avoid giving away your credibility by misuse of social media.

scott peterson, wna foundation, better newspaper contest, student awards

Watch: 2020 WNA Foundation Student BNC Awards program

Mar. 19, 2021

Join us this afternoon as we celebrate the collegiate and high school award winners in the 2020 WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contests during a virtual ceremony.

AP Stylebook shares revised coronavirus topical guide

Mar. 19, 2021

The Associated Press on Monday shared its revised AP Stylebook coronavirus topical guide, one year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

The topical guide includes information on a wealth of common pandemic-related terms, such as long-hauler, superspreader and vaccine. It also clarifies usage of terms like curbside pickup, Zoom and social distancing. The guide is available on the AP Stylebook website and does not require an account for access.

vernon county broadcaster, vernon county times, westby times

Westby, Viroqua newspapers to merge as Vernon County Times

Mar. 19, 2021

The Vernon County Broadcaster and the Westby Times have merging to form the (Viroqua) Vernon County Times, the western Wisconsin newspapers have announced. The merger, effective as of Wednesday, also includes a shift in publication day from Friday to Wednesday.

The two newspapers, part of the River Valley Media Group, are among the oldest in the state. The Broadcaster‘s history — which includes several name changes — dates back to 1856, while the Times was founded in 1900.

Proposed public notice legislation takes away the public’s right to know

Mar. 16, 2021

The Wisconsin legislature is currently considering legislation that would give local governments the option to stop publishing a summary of their actions in your newspaper.

In an effort to oppose Senate Bill 55 and Assembly Bill 60, the
WNA is making additional, digital ads available to members for publication. The WNA urges members to publish these ads as soon as possible. Digital ads should link to your newspaper's coverage and/or editorials about the legislation or this post on the WNA's website that discusses the proposed bills and provides readers with a link to find their legislators.

» Download ads

Wisconsin newspapers celebrate open government during Sunshine Week

Mar. 15, 2021

Wisconsin newspapers this week are recognizing the importance of open government as a part of Sunshine Week, an annual nationwide celebration of open government that runs March 14-20.

The WNA has gathered several examples of editorials, columns and news coverage by members highlighting the importance of transparency.

WNA Foundation launches editorial writing and cartoon contest celebrating First Amendment

Mar. 12, 2021

As a continuation of its efforts to increase civic education and engagement, the Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation has launched the Wisconsin Civics Games Editorial Writing & Cartoon Contest.

To support these efforts, the WNA Foundation asks that member newspapers run ads promoting the Civics Games contests, publish stories and editorials and publishing winning entries after the winners are announced.

Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council names ‘Opee’ winners

Mar. 10, 2021

This year’s Openness in Government Awards recognize Wisconsin’s largest newspaper for its dogged records-based coverage of the pandemic and its commitment to the cause of transparency in government, as well as two newspaper reporters who used public records to expose wrongdoing.

The awards, presented annually by the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council, recognize outstanding efforts to protect the state’s long tradition of open government and highlight some of the threats to it. They are being announced in advance of the News Leaders Association’s national Sunshine Week.

RELATED: Your Right to Know: The ‘Opees’ in the age of COVID-19
RELATED: Sunshine Week 2021: How to get involved

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

Poll: Should the U.S. make changes to daylight saving time?

Mar. 10, 2021

A new poll question about whether the U.S. should make changes to daylight saving time is available to be used by WNA members. We are asking the question in light of a bill reintroduced March 9 by eight U.S. senators that would make daylight saving time permanent year-round.

Results from our previous poll question about legalizing marijuana use in Wisconsin are also now available.

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