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Journalism Education Foundation of New England adds MacGregor Fiske Student Journalism Scholarship to Program

In 2022, the MacGregor Fiske Award was incorporated into the Journalism Education Foundation of New England Scholarship Program. This generous contribution will allow the program to bestow a scholarship named in honor of Mac Fiske, who died in 2009 at 75.

MacGregor Fiske spent his career as a sportswriter, sports editor, news editor, city editor, copy editor, and weekly columnist. Fiske was a much-loved mentor known for his warmth, kindness, and keen editing.

The MacGregor Fiske Award was established by his wife, Mary McCann Fiske, and was first bestowed in 2013. She started the award to recognize talented, hard-working journalists who are relatively new to the field, encouraging them to persevere in the profession to sustain an informed society.

McCann Fiske decided to transfer the funding to NENPA’s Journalism Education Foundation to ensure its continued impact and reach in the years to come through scholarships to promising journalism students.

“Mac never sought the limelight, but he would have felt good about helping individual journalists and seeing the progress of those the Fiske Award has recognized,” McCann Fiske said. “I’m hopeful that this will continue to help strengthen journalism in New England, especially newspapers, which we know can mean so much to a community.”

The New England Newspaper and Press Association awards up to 10 scholarships each year to aspiring journalists through the Journalism Education Foundation of New England.

College students or high school seniors, who are residents of New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, or VT) and are studying and acquiring work experience that will prepare them to work in the field of journalism are eligible to apply.

Learn more about the program

Please contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com if you would like to make a donation to support the MacGregor Fiske Scholarship, the general Journalism Education Foundation of New England scholarships, or if you are interested in honoring a mentor or a loved one with a Journalism scholarship in their name.

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Rebuild Local News Coalition becomes an independent nonprofit and launches new drive to help save local news

The Rebuild Local News Coalition, an alliance of local news organizations launched in 2020, has now become an independent nonprofit organization and plans a drive to advance a range of public policies to address the accelerating crisis in local news that threatens so many communities.

The Coalition will research, develop and champion public policies at the state, local and national levels – including payroll tax credits to hire and retain local reporters, proposals to target government advertising spending toward local news instead of social media, and reducing the influence of hedge funds on local newspapers.

The organization is funded by a combination of support from journalism organizations and leading philanthropic organizations. Philanthropic and private sector supporters include the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Microsoft,  the Yellow Chair Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Charles H. Revson Foundation, the Argosy Foundation, the Posner Foundation. Previous support has come from Democracy Fund.

Steven Waldman, who as president of Report for America created the Coalition, will become the full-time president of the organization. The Coalition was incubated at the GroundTruth Project, home of Report for America, and has already pulled together a broad-based coalition including publishers and labor unions, rural weeklies, nonprofit newsrooms, state press associations, and civic organizations. Together, they represent more than 3,000 local newsrooms.

Read the full article at Rebuild Local News

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Pulse of America research to power local media sales available to NENPA members

Portland-based Pulse Research has announced the release of the 2023 Pulse of America (POA)  shopping survey to further the sales efforts of newspaper, radio, and television sales executives.  With a sample of over 7,000 respondents, these findings provide a timely and insightful way for local small and mid-sized businesses to overcome uncertainty in this still challenging environment. 

Pulse Research President John Marling suggests, “Whether selling a digital-only campaign, a special  seasonal initiative, or your traditional product lineup, these findings are game-changers since they  quantify exactly how many shoppers will buy the goods and services local businesses are eager to  sell!” 

The Pulse platform streamlines the sales process, making it accessible for reps at any stage of the sales cycle, from prospecting to closing, with just a smartphone. Since its launch 15 years ago, the platform has continuously improved in terms of ease of use, speed, and intuitive design. Today, it is utilized by several hundred local media companies and thousands of sales executives daily. This high usage level allows the platform to leverage the “wisdom of the crowds” and effectively identify the best prospects. At any point in time, all users know what’s selling best! 

With access to current shopping information for nearly 600 categories, the Pulse platform provides an extensive database for sales representatives. With so much data finding prospects is almost instantaneous. A satisfied sales representative stated, “Not a day goes by I don’t find a new business to approach. This tool helps differentiate me from competitors and regularly beat my goal!!” 

In addition to providing insights on consumer purchasing and preferences, the Pulse of America survey also includes valuable information on lifestyles, behaviors, employment, and demographics.  This comprehensive data set makes the Pulse platform a valuable resource for organizations looking to expand their reach and target new audiences. As soon as organizations receive the findings, they can put the information to use and are immediately more valuable to local merchants.

NENPA members can receive a complimentary copy of the POA survey, by contacting  John Marling at Pulse at (503) 784-5772 or marling@paper.net.

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Apply to Become a Report for America Journalist By January 30

Report for America (RFA) helps local newsrooms report on under-covered issues and communities by sending early-career and mid-to-late-career reporters and photographers to newsrooms throughout the country. As an RFA Corps Member, you’ll be a part of a movement to strengthen communities—and our democracy—through local journalism that is truthful, fair, fearless, and smart.

RFA is a two-year program, with an optional third year. Each service year begins on July 10 and runs through July 9. We currently have 300 reporters and photographers in 200 newsrooms serving communities across the country.  We are seeking talented, service-minded journalists and photographers to join our reporting corps.  Applications are now open for 55+ journalism positions. Check out our interactive database of job openings, newsrooms, and beats here and read the FAQs to make sure you are a good fit for our program. Because of the immediate impact candidates are expected to have in newsroom settings, corps member applicants should have a minimum of 1-3 years of local news experience. Recent graduates may apply if they’ve had local newsroom internships or journalism leadership experience in college.

Deadline Date to Apply: January 30, 2023

Report for America is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Application Process

To apply, complete the corps member application below. The deadline to apply is January 30, 2023.  Should you become a finalist and be slated for one or more newsroom interviews by our selection team, your application will be shared with those newsrooms.

Important Note: Please be sure to alert your two references that they will receive an email from Submittable, our application platform, with the recommendation form.  At the prompt in the application, we strongly recommend you send this form right away even before completing your application.  Your application will not advance if we don’t receive your two references by February 6, 2023 – the reference deadline.

Questions?

Contact the Report for America recruitment team at recruitment@reportforamerica.org or join us for one of our virtual information sessions.  You may register for an information session here.

Learn more

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Seacoast newspapers to begin printing in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in March

Printing of the Portsmouth Herald, Foster’s Daily Democrat and Burlington Free Press will move to Gannett-owned presses in Rhode Island and Massachusetts beginning in March.

News and advertising teams will continue to be based in Portsmouth where they will continue to serve readers, businesses and communities across New Hampshire’s Seacoast region and York County, Maine.

The printing press located at 111 New Hampshire Ave., Portsmouth, at Pease Tradeport, will have its last run on March 19 for the March 20 newspapers. Gannett is the owner of Seacoast Media Group.

Read more

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January Obituaries 2023

CONNECTICUT
Robert Baird
Rosemary Isacsson
Craig Sullivan
Patricia Trenner
MASSACHUSETTS
Robert Cowen
Ilona Johnson
Douglas Lang
Jean Nolan
Patricia Thompson
MAINE
Bonnie Coombs
NEW HAMPSHIRE
William Berger
John Harrigan
RHODE ISLAND
None Reported
VERMONT
None Reported
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NENPA Annual Survey

The NENPA team is grateful for your support as a member, eBulletin subscriber, program participant, and advocate for local news and press freedom.

We are still in the early stages of planning our spring Newspaper Convention and fall Newspaper Conference. As we look ahead to 2023, we’d like to know what services, training, and support you would like us to offer.

Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us so we can provide the best opportunities for you and your staff.

For more information, contact Linda Conway at l.conway@nenpa.com.

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Resolve to be accessible, stay relevant

Jim Pumarlo is a former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks, and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is the author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in Small-Town Newspapers.” He can be reached at www.pumarlo.com and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com.

Surviving in today’s fractured media landscape depends on your ability to identify, collect and deliver the relevant community news. That job becomes more challenging if readers become frustrated in their attempts to connect with reporters.

The normal channels of communication took a serious hit during COVID-19 as isolation was the norm for reporters and news sources alike. Though the worst of the pandemic is behind us, communication remains splintered in many circles.

I encourage newspapers to put at the top of their New Year’s resolutions: Make it easy for readers to connect with you.

I’m passionate in my belief that community newspapers can still compete in today’s communications dynamics – if they stick to and excel in the basics. That means owning the franchise for aggressive reporting of local news. That will occur only if readers have a direct pipeline to editors and reporters.

Yes, I understand the important and necessary role of social media both in collecting and reporting the news – in connecting with readers. Social media was integral when I led communications and media relations for a statewide business advocacy organization. 

But nothing replaces direct, one-on-one conversation. It’s truly amazing the barriers that many newspapers place between themselves and their readers – their news sources.

I routinely surf a variety of websites, often looking for contact information. If I can’t track it down within five minutes, I likely give up. If I am successful, the frustration often continues with no phone numbers. Some companies may list a general number, and we’ve all been there. We punch numerous extensions, hoping to get a live voice with someone who can assist.

Why can’t we make it simpler?  Here are a handful of tips from someone who has sat on both sides of the editor’s desk:

  • Post your contact information or a link to the listing – prominently – on the home page of your website. Include phone numbers as well as email addresses.
  • Provide the direct phone numbers and individual email addresses for staff, if available. Readers have no assurance that a general voice mail or email boxes are regularly monitored and messages forwarded to appropriate staff. List cell phones.
  • Keep contact information current. If you have voice mail, change recordings daily so readers know whether you are on the job and whether you are monitoring messages. Ditto for email; use your “out of office” message when applicable.
  • If you must use automated phone answering services during regular business hours, callers still should have an opportunity to connect to a “live voice.”
  • Be responsive to customers. Be prompt in returning phone or email inquiries whether the message is sent directly to an individual or submitted through an online form.

Phone calls translate into a conversation, an instant exchange of ideas. You may well miss a chance for a great story if the telephone is your communication of last resort.

Listing cell phone numbers is essential as many companies have eliminated physical offices or greatly reduced hours. Remote offices have become the norm in today’s work environment.

I can hear the naysayers who resist being available 24/7. I recall the days before cell phones and social media when some editors and publishers had unlisted home phones. They didn’t want to be bothered “after hours,” especially by an upset customer.

I welcomed all calls – no matter the hour and no matter the reason. I welcomed the fact that our newspaper was on someone’s mind at all hours of the day.

Remember, while some may view the calls as an interruption in their personal schedules, I viewed them as an opportunity – to resolve a delivery issue, accept an ad, to explore a potential news story. Those are the connections that keep you relevant to your communities.

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We’ve got some explaining to do

John Foust
John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training videos to save time and get quick results from in-house training. Email for information: john@johnfoust.com.

People usually say “no” to things they don’t understand. It’s a salesperson’s job to help prospects understand what he or she is selling. What makes media choice A better than choice B? What’s all this talk about target audiences being better than general audiences? Doesn’t that mean fewer buyers? If a business has been successful for a long time, why spend money on advertising? 

You’re probably not worried about these things, but more than a few of your prospects are. There’s a natural tendency to think our prospects are keeping up with what we’re saying, when in reality, that may not be the case. We have to get in step with them before we can expect them to get in step with us.” 

Christopher, a veteran ad salesperson, told me about an unusual misunderstanding with a prospect. “When he called to say he wanted to discuss his advertising outlays,” Christopher said, “I immediately thought about the budgeting process. As the conversation progressed, I realized that we were on two completely different wavelengths. He was referring to ad layouts, not ad outlays. We can laugh about it now, but at the time, it took a few minutes before I was able to adjust to the situation.” 

Think of a camera. When you use the setting to focus tightly on a photo subject, the background is blurred. Sometimes, we concentrate so much on the center of attention – the person on the other side of the desk – that we lose sight of the things that might be blurred to them. 

Here are a few ideas that may help: 

  1. Think of different ways to explain things. Have plenty of examples in your toolbox. In one case, an analogy might be your best choice and in another, a demonstration may be most appropriate. “Even when I use a map or a chart, I explain the information as simply as possible,” Christopher said. “A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a picture with no explanation is not worth much in a sales presentation.” 
  1. Break it down into small pieces. Don’t bombard the other person with everything at once. Build your case one point at a time. What good is point number three, if they don’t understand points one and two? 
  2. Check for clarity. Sure, your sales explanations are crystal clear to you, but how does the other person see them? Unlike a camera, there is no viewfinder in a sales meeting. So, we use other techniques to see if anything is blurry to them. 

The most reliable way is to watch for body language and ask questions: “How does this look so far?” “When others see this chart, they often have questions. Does anything come to mind?” “Before we go any further, let me ask if this kind of information is what you need at this point?” 

Good selling is a matter of becoming a professional explainer. By eliminating the blurred edges, you can help your prospects and clients see a much clearer picture. 

(c) Copyright 2022 by John Foust. All rights reserved.

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NEFAC Opens Journalism Mentorship Program to All New England States

The New England First Amendment Coalition is providing a free mentorship program for all journalists working in the region.

The program — NEFAC Mentors — was offered exclusively to Rhode Island journalists last year but is now open to anyone working in New England.

Reporters, editors and producers looking for guidance in a variety of professional areas can apply to be paired with a veteran journalist with relevant expertise.

Mentorship focus areas include community storytelling, public records and open meetings, use of data in reporting, navigating the industry as a bilingual reporter, building relationships as a journalist of color, audio production and mining stories from beats.

“NEFAC Mentors is an invaluable resource for all journalists but particularly those in smaller newsrooms or those covering underrepresented communities,” Silverman said. “We have a deep roster of mentors ready to give their time and expertise to help those in the profession.”

Applicants must submit their résumé with links to their portfolio. When applying, applicants will be asked to name their top three mentor choices based on their specific goals and mentorship needs. Once the application materials are received, NEFAC will begin working to pair the applicant with a preferred mentor. When a match has been made, the applicant will be notified.

Mentors are required to provide at least an hour of their time each month for six months as part of the program, but mentees can agree to other time arrangements that work for both parties. Due to demand and the limited availability of mentors, NEFAC will only respond to applications once a match has been found.

Learn more and apply

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