December Bulletin
I hope that the Montana Newspaper Association’s members and supporters enjoy this first iteration of our new monthly eBulletin. We’re still focused on keeping you up-to-date with the comings, goings, triumphs and intrigues at newspapers around the state. More and more, the most interesting content about the publishing industry appears only online in multimedia packages that can’t be duplicated with a conventional newsletter format. The eBulletin will take you straight to that terrific content, so you can experience it directly in its most compelling presentation. And the eBulletin will include more articles from more sources than we’ve been able to share in the past, because linking is such a simple way to share news.
This month, we’ve got an update on the Montana Fourth Estate Project, a fascinating report from the Knight Foundation about the public’s ambivalent attitudes toward funding local news, and reminders about the Montana Newspaper Foundation Internship Grant Program and the Better Newspaper Contest.
Those of you who love the more traditional newsletter format can look forward to an new issue of the Press Pass newsletter again in January, with three more issues of Press Pass appearing during each subsequent quarter of 2020. But first, we’ll to enjoy the holidays! On behalf of the entire MNA staff, I wish you all the best this season.
Matt Gibson
Executive Director
December/January Calendar
Dec. 3: Applications due for Montana Newspaper Foundation Internship Grant Program
Dec. 6: Webinar “Mobile Apps for Journalists” presented by Online Media Campus
Dec. 19: Montana Newspaper Foundation Internship Grant winners announced
Dec. 25: Christmas: MNA office closed
Jan. 1: New Year’s Day: MNA office closed
Jan. 2: 2020 MNA Better Newspaper Contest open for entries
Jan. 17: MNAS and MNA boards meet in Helena
Jan. 20: Federal holiday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
MNA NEWS
Internship Grant Program Applications Due
Applications for the 2020 Montana Newspaper Foundation Internship Grant Program are due Dec. 3. MNA members can apply to receive a matching grant of $1,500 to help pay a student to work and learn. (MNA)
Montana Fourth Estate Project tackles “Graying Pains”
The Montana Fourth Estate Project, a statewide newsroom collaboration convened under the banner of the Montana Newspaper Foundation with the support of the Solutions Journalism Network, will take a comprehensive look at Montana’s aging population, publishing a collection of enterprising, in-depth articles over the next several months. The Fourth Estate Project includes 19 participating newsrooms from across the state. (Montana Free Press)
MNA 2020 Rate and Data survey
If you haven’t already updated your newspaper’s information for next year, please complete the 2020 MNA rate and data survey as soon as possible. The Rate and Data Survey serves as the authoritative resource for MNA advertising sales and other member services. (MNA)
Better Newspaper Contest
The 2020 MNA Better Newspaper Contest is only a few weeks away. You can prepare now by collecting and selecting your best work from 2019. The contest will open for entries on Thursday, January 2, 2020 and close on Wednesday, February 12, 2020. Full rules and submission instructions are available on the MNA website. (MNA)
INDUSTRY NEWS
Gatehouse, Gannett join, become largest newspaper chain
Gannett, the owner of the Great Falls Tribune and USA Today, has merged with Gatehouse, bringing 260 newspapers under the same management. (AP)
Gallup/Knight study finds American’s divided over how to pay for vital local news
Most Americans (76%) say they need local and state news organizations to be informed, and 59% see their local newspaper as an important symbol of civic pride. But when it comes to financial support, Americans’ behaviors do not match the value they place on local news, a report, “Putting a Price Tag on Local News” found. (Knight PR)
McClatchy to cease Saturday delivery at all its newspapers
McClatchy will end Saturday publication of print newspapers at its nearly 30 publications in 14 states across the country, according to an announcement from the publisher’s CEO. (Dallas Morning News)
PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Journalist’s Resource
Misinformation: 3 tips to help journalists avoid being part of the problem (Shorenstein Center)
Bob Berting: What’s the core value of your publication?
Your salespeople are telling your prospects and customers that you are the best newspaper in town or if you’re the only newspaper, you’re the best media choice in town. They go on to say you have the best customer service in town. But what is your core value? (Bob Berting)
Montana Newspaper Association
825 Great Northern Blvd.
Suite 202
Helena, MT 59601
