2026 New England Newspaper Convention Program

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The 2026 New England Newspaper Convention is happening in historic Portsmouth, NH, on March 13-14! Join us at The Venue at Portwalk Place, located at 22 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH, for two days of expert-led sessions, networking, and celebrations of the best journalism in New England. We are excited to announce the expert speakers, sessions, and times for our program lineup below.

Friday, March 13

You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: Collaboration & Tools for Today’s Newsrooms

Great journalism doesn’t happen in a vacuum. This session brings together newsroom leaders and innovators to share how collaboration — internally and across organizations — can strengthen reporting, extend reach, and spark innovation.

From identifying common friction points to adopting tools that streamline teamwork, panelists will offer real-world case studies and practical advice you can bring back to your newsroom immediately. The panel includes:

• Melanie Plenda, Executive Director, Granite State News Collaborative
• Steve Leone, Publisher, Concord Monitor
• Dawn DeAngelis, Vice President & Chief Content Officer, New Hampshire PBS
• Moderator: Johnny Bassett, Founder & Lead Developer, PluckyWire

The Power of the Obituary

Publishing obituaries is one of the most important ways that local newspapers serve their readers. They have also become a source of revenue, as newspapers have decided to “monetize” them by charging for them, often at high rates.

This workshop will look at the financial, social, and ethical aspects of treating obituaries as a profit center instead of a public service. It will also look at the art of obituary writing, including the sensitive dynamics of interviewing those who are grieving and finding ways to tell the life stories of those who have died in truthful and respectful detail without the cloying sentimentality that characterizes many paid obituaries. Presented by:

• Ed Miller, Editor, Provincetown Independent

Newsletters That Work

Discover how newspapers are turning newsletters into powerful tools for audience growth and revenue.

Join our expert panel as they share strategies for creating engaging content, smart segmentation, and effective monetization.

Walk away with practical tips to make your newsletter a must-read—and a must-have for your business. Presented by:

• Rob Gurwitt, Founder and Publisher, Daybreak Upper Valley
• Chris Rattey, Content Strategy Director, Newsletters, WGBH

Turning Data into Headlines Using Google Gemini + Pinpoint

This hands-on workshop shows investigative reporters and editors how to turn large document troves into publishable stories faster. Learn how to use Google Pinpoint to organize and analyze PDFs, FOIA dumps, emails, images, and audio files — and how Gemini can help synthesize findings, surface key entities, and generate story angles.

The session focuses on practical newsroom workflows, including searching handwritten notes with OCR and protecting sensitive data while using cloud-based tools. Bring a laptop and a Google account if you want to participate in the live demonstration. Request your Pinpoint account in advance at this link. Presented by:

• Mago Torres, Trainer, Google News Initiative

News Without a Newsroom: Truth is disappearing. Who’s telling the story?

In a world where the truth feels increasingly elusive, ‘News Without a Newsroom’ examines the profound transformation of journalism, capturing its enduring power and its precarious future. As local newsrooms vanish, News Without a Newsroom explores journalism’s uncertain future in the digital age.

Through powerful stories and expert insights, the film examines the collapse of traditional media, the rise of misinformation, and the fight to preserve truth, trust, and accountability in an era of disruption.

Join us for a screening of the film, followed by a Q&A with the producer and director, Oana Martisca.

Lunch on your own

State of the Industry

Dive into Mather Economics’ latest industry benchmarks and expert insights. Discover the key factors shaping media revenue models and gain actionable strategies to navigate the industry’s evolving landscape. Presented by:

• Matt Lindsay, president and ceo, Mather Economics

TikTok, Reels, and Video Storytelling for Newsrooms

Short-form vertical video isn’t about chasing trends — it’s about meeting audiences where they are with strong, reporting-driven storytelling.

This practical session explores how reporters and editors are using TikTok, Instagram Reels, and other social video formats to extend the reach of their journalism while maintaining newsroom standards.

Panelists will share real examples from their newsrooms, walking through how they choose stories, craft compelling hooks, and shoot and edit efficiently, while also discussing how short-form video fits into a broader strategy — including when a story works best as a Reel, a TikTok, or a longer-form YouTube piece — and how to make thoughtful platform decisions across different newsroom sizes and staffing levels. The panel includes:

• Heather Morrison, Reporter & Social Media Producer, MassLive
• Emily Sweeney, Reporter, The Boston Globe
• Moderator: Claire Tighe, Deputy Managing Editor, Digital Strategy & Transformation, Maine Trust for Local News

FOI That Works / The Ask

Journalists are finding it harder and harder to get access to public records. This is a fast-paced session on how to obtain vital records and data from unwilling government offices.

The public information covered under the Freedom of Information (FOI) laws is often hidden in file cabinets and computers. Let’s get into them!

Award-winning writer Mike Donoghue has built a career filing for public records to write important news, sports, and feature stories. Learn the tips that work. Presented by:

• Mike Donoghue, Founder, Vermont News First

NENPA Press Freedom Town Hall – Who Protects the Press When the Government Is the Threat?

Across the country, journalists are facing increasing pressure—from restricted access to public records and officials refusing to engage with reporters to growing legal and political attacks on the press. When the institutions meant to uphold transparency become barriers to it, where can journalists turn?

In this interactive town hall hosted by the NENPA Press Freedom Committee, participants will share real-world challenges from their newsrooms and discuss strategies for protecting press freedom and supporting reporters in the field.

As part of the conversation, attendees will be invited to share their stories and join a collective pledge affirming their commitment to defending the role of a free and independent press and the public’s right to know.

Convention Reception and Hall of Fame Cocktail Party (cash bar)

New England Newspaper Hall of Fame Dinner – Purchase Tickets

The Hall of Fame honors newspaper industry heroes whose talent, hard work, and exceptional accomplishments inspire all New England journalists. Join us in congratulating, honoring, and celebrating this year’s new inductees.

Saturday, March 14

Trust in news is at a crossroads – but the comeback starts here.

Hear Rufus Friday, executive director for the Center for Integrity in News Reporting, speak on a blueprint for how journalists and news organizations can reclaim credibility, trust, and win audiences back through impartial, objective news reporting and visible core journalistic values. Presented by:

• Rufus Friday, Center for Integrity in News Reporting

Social Media Strategies for Newsrooms of Every Size

Not every newsroom has a dedicated social team — but every newsroom needs a clear strategy. This session brings together editors and digital leaders from The Inquirer and Mirror, Globe RI and NH, and The Berkshire Eagle to discuss how news organizations of varying sizes approach platform priorities, workflow, audience engagement, and performance metrics. Panelists will share practical examples of what’s working, how they balance daily demands with experimentation, and how roles are structured when resources are limited. The focus is on adaptable strategies that can scale up or down, helping newsrooms build sustainable social practices that fit their staffing and goals. The panel includes:

• Josh Balling, Executive Editor, The Inquirer and Mirror
• Francesca Giangiulio, Social Media Content Manager, The Inquirer and Mirror
• Sadie Layher, Social Media Manager, Globe RI and NH
• Maryjane Williams, Video News Producer, The Berkshire Eagle
• Moderator: Meggie Baker, Director of Audience Revenue and Technology, The Berkshire Eagle

Next Gen News 2

The Next Gen News 2 study sharpens our understanding of next-generation news consumers’ behavior and how publishers can best meet those evolving needs. Understanding the habits and desires of next-gen news consumers today helps anticipate how the majority of news consumers will behave by 2030. This study focuses on the role of next-gen producers (aka. news creators/influencers) as well as news consumers and delivers actionable insights for publishers looking to reach young news consumers today and prepare for the changing landscape. Presented by:

• Jeremy Gilbert, Professor, Knight Chair in Digital Media Strategy at Medill, Northwestern University

Immigration and ICE Reporting Now

This workshop brings journalists together to examine the unique challenges of covering immigration and ICE operations in the current climate. Led by reporters and editors with frontline experience, the session focuses on practical strategies for verifying information during fast-moving or opaque enforcement situations, where official details may be limited and rumors spread quickly. We will explore how to navigate editorial decision-making when community rumors, alerts, social media speculation, and political pressure collide—balancing urgency with accuracy. We will also examine language, sourcing, and context that help audiences understand what is happening – and what’s not. Finally, the session addresses how to protect vulnerable sources while maintaining rigorous accountability reporting. The panel includes:

• Jenna Russell, New England Bureau Chief, The New York Times
• Simon Rios, Reporter, WBUR
• Julia Arenstam, Managing Editor, Portland Press Herald

Session Break and Lunch on your own

Yankee Quill Awards Luncheon – Purchase Tickets

This celebration honors extraordinary individuals for their lifetime of achievement and distinction in New England Journalism, and historical figures. The Academy of New England Journalists will present the prestigious Yankee Quill Award to this year’s inductees.

Independent News Sustainability: Building Resilient Operations

Independent newsrooms across New England are working to build durable, community-supported journalism. What’s actually working? Leaders from organizations at different stages of growth will share candid lessons on building a strong base to support local news and diversifying revenue beyond foundation grants. Panelists will discuss strategies that have spurred growth, created operational resilience, and driven revenue. And, they’ll share ideas that didn’t work as planned and highlight risks on the horizon. Attendees will leave with one clear, actionable takeaway they can begin applying immediately in their own newsroom. The panel includes:

• Sky Barsch, CEO, VTDigger
• Maile Hulihan, CEO, The Concord Bridge
• Karen Bordeleau, Executive Editor, The New Bedford Light
• Moderator: Erin O’Mara, CEO, Journalism New England

Covering Hard News Without Burning Out – Coping with Stress, Trauma and Burnout on the Job

The Global Center for Journalism and Trauma will offer a presentation on building resilience in turbulent times. The talk will provide a baseline for understanding trauma (direct trauma, vicarious or secondary trauma exposure, moral injury) and related stressors on individual journalists and news teams and outline evidence-based practices for enriching coping skills and building resiliency. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A. Presented by:

• Carolyn Weiss, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist and Associate Trainer, Global Center for Journalism and Trauma

Accelerating Research & Ensuring Trust with Google NotebookLM + SynthID

In an era of information overload and AI-generated media, journalists need tools that are both efficient and reliable. This interactive session explores how NotebookLM can help reporters organize sources, summarize complex documents, identify connections across materials, and generate outlines grounded in citations. The workshop also introduces SynthID, Google DeepMind’s watermarking technology for detecting AI-generated content, helping newsrooms strengthen transparency and verification practices while speeding up research. Bring a laptop and a Google account if you want to participate in the live demonstration. Presented by:

• Mago Torres, Google New Initiative

The Making of a Major Story

Every fall, NENPA honors reporters who produced the past year’s best journalism in New England with Publick Occurrences awards. For our 2026 conference, we again bring recent winners together on a panel to talk shop. Join this engaging discussion with committed investigative journalists about the high-wire act of getting big projects out the door. The usually well-attended panel has been part of our annual conference program for much of the past decade. Bring your questions and comments — and be part of this spirited exchange. Panelists include:

• Julia Arenstam, Managing Editor, Portland Press Herald
• Hadley Barndollar, Statewide Enterprise Reporter, MassLive
• Greta Jochem, Investigations Editor, The Republican
• Alison Novak, Staff Writer, Seven Days
• Moderator: Larry Parnass, Executive Editor, The Republican

“Words Matter” — Language Choices That Shape Trust

The language we choose is never neutral. It shapes perception, signals values, and can either build trust — or quietly undermine it. This practical, example-driven workshop explores how framing and word choice affect audience understanding, especially when writing about older adults, the trans community, and the difference between describing someone as a “victim” or a “survivor.” Panelists will examine real headlines, ledes, and scripts, and provide guidance you can apply immediately. Panel includes:

• Jeremy Fox, Managing Editor, The Gay & Lesbian Review
• Noah Bombard, Director of Communications, Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Convention Reception and Awards Banquet Cocktail Party (cash bar)

New England Better Newspaper Awards Banquet

Our largest celebratory gathering of the year, where we reveal the results of the annual New England Better Newspaper Competition! Due to overwhelming demand, tickets are sold out for this event.

THANKS TO ALL OUR 2026 SPONSORS: