Briefing Archives | Page 19 of 28 | Wisconsin Newspaper Association

Sunshine Week 2021: How to get involved

Feb. 27, 2021

WNA member newspapers are encouraged to participate in Sunshine Week, the News Leaders Association's annual nationwide celebration of open government. This year's celebration is set for March 14-20.

Newspapers can get involved by publishing stories from the Sunshine Week Content Toolkit, or by publishing their own stories, editorials, cartoons or graphics on open government and the public's right to know. Journalists and news organizations also are encouraged to share their experiences, success stories, FOIA battles and more by tweeting @SunshineWeek or using the hashtag #SunshineWeek.

WNA approves board officers, bylaw changes

Feb. 26, 2021

During the annual meeting Thursday, members of the Wisconsin Newspaper Association approved the 2021-22 slate of officers, as well as changes to the WNA's bylaws.

Immediately following, the WNA Board of Directors held its regularly scheduled meeting for the first quarter of 2021. Discussion items included pending legislation, a proposed executive summit, a Wisconsin Civics Games essay and editorial cartoon contest, and this year’s virtual convention and awards ceremony.

nna foundation, better newspaper contest, nna contest

NNA Better Newspaper Contest now open to non-members

Feb. 26, 2021

The National Newspaper Association Foundation’s annual Better Newspaper Contest is now open to nonmembers, the NNA has announced.

All entries must have been published between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020, with the exception of submissions to the Best Newspaper Website category, which is judged “in place.” The entry deadline is 10:59 p.m. on June 25.

multimedia journalism, podcast, multimedia

UW-Superior announces new multimedia journalism program

Feb. 25, 2021

A new multimedia journalism program will launch in fall 2021 at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, the university announced last week.

The program, which reflects the changing industry, aims to better prepare students to produce compelling digital stories across multiple platforms. Students in the program will learn traditional news writing and reporting along with a variety of digital skills, including audio, video and web design.

The Gazette, News-Review named 2020 Newspapers of the Year

Feb. 19, 2021

The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation on Friday honored the work of newspapers across the state, announcing the award winners and newspapers of the year in the 2020 WNAF Better Newspaper Contest.

Recipients of 2020 Newspaper of the Year Awards were The Gazette, Janesville, (Daily Division) and the Vilas County News-Review, Eagle River (Weekly Division).

Best of Division winners also included the (Eau Claire) Leader-Telegram, The (Rhinelander) Northwoods River News, The (Ironwood, Mich.) Daily Globe, The Monroe Times and The Valders Journal.

2020 WNAF Better Newspaper Contest Awards Tab

Feb. 19, 2021

The 2020 WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest included 2,051 entries from 103 newspapers. The contest was judged by members of the Texas Press Association.

See a list of all the winners, along with the judges’ comments, in our digital Better Newspaper Contest Awards Tab publication.

Watch: 2020 Better Newspaper Contest Awards program

Feb. 19, 2021

Did you miss the premiere of the 2020 WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest award ceremony? Don’t worry. You can still view a recording of the program.

This year's ceremony was held virtually due to gathering restrictions and other COVID-19 safety recommendations.

Order your duplicate awards by March14

Feb. 19, 2021

Did you win a 2020 WNA Foundation Better Newspaper Contest award and need a duplicate plaque or certificate? Place your order by March 14.

Certificates are $6 and plaques are $60. Shipping & handling is included. The typical turnaround is 3-4 weeks.

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

Poll: Should marijuana be legalized in Wisconsin?

Feb. 18, 2021

A new poll question about whether marijuana use should be legalized in Wisconsin is available to be used by WNA members. We are asking the question in light of Gov. Tony Evers’ inclusion of marijuana legalization in his budget proposal.

Results from our previous poll question about face mask requirements are also available.

WNA members who have signed up for an account with Polco can access their local version of the new question, as well as local poll results, on their dashboards. Those who have not signed up can do so here for their own dashboard.

Members asked to help protect public notice in newspapers

Feb. 12, 2021

The Wisconsin legislature is currently considering a bill that would give local governments the option to stop publishing a summary of their actions in local newspapers. Senate Bill 55 would allow local municipalities to post meeting minutes on their websites instead.

Removing existing publication requirements would remove important, third-party oversight of government, as well as create holes in this invaluable statewide database while also neglecting the needs of those who lack adequate computer and internet access. The WNA is asking all members to help defeat this bad public policy that undermines government transparency by: