TWN
THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER
Entries due soon for Golden Quill editorial contest
January 2024
Page 6
Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association
UW students now on the job for WNPA papers The two seniors from the University of Washington are covering the Legislature Two interns from the University of Washington are now reporting on the state Legislature for WNPA papers. They are Mary Murphy and Aspen Anderson. Murphy is a senior and has worked as a reporter, the opinion section editor and most recently managing editor of the UW Daily, the student newspaper. In the summer of 2022, she interned at the Daily Herald writing stories and managing its social media accounts. This past summer, she was one of three students accepted into the department’s international reporting program. She won a spot at Citizen Matters, an English-language online magazine in India, and worked for 10 weeks at the bureau in Chennai. Anderson is also a senior. She is a reporter at The UW Daily, covering general news and health and wellness pieces. She’s also an assistant photography instructor at Youth in Focus, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teens through photography and storytelling and she’s an executive on the UW chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Her family established the
Anderson Murphy Shaufler Prize in Journalism, which is administered by the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. It recognizes the best U.S. journalism advancing the understanding of stories and issues related to culture and inclusion. Stories are emailed to newspapers as they are produced and also posted on the Foundation’s news website, The Washington State Journal. Contact WNPA if you are not receiving the stories. Legislative internships are funded by the WNPA Foundation with money it receives from generous donations, an investment acount and an annual auciton at WNPA’s annual conference. The Foundation also funds summer interships for students interested in working for a WNPA paper during the summer.
This photo by Cascadia Daily News photographer Hailey Hoffman was part of Hailey’s Photographer of the Year portfolio. Hailey took second place in that category in last year’s Better Newspaper Contest. This year’s contest opens for entries on April 1.
Black Press seeking sale in restructure transaction Black Press Media announced Jan. 15 it is seeking a sale to new ownership as part of a corporate restructuring transaction. The ownership group would include Canadian institutional investors Canso Investment Counsel, Deans Knight Capital Management and Carpenter Media Group. As part of the restructuring, the company filed for creditor protection in the B.C. Supreme Court and intends to seek recognition of such proceeding
in the United States, in Delaware. The company said it intends to continue operating its publications during the restructuring process. “This plan will lead to a stronger, more sustainable Black Press that will continue to provide by far the best local Canadian and American news coverage in our markets and the best ways for advertisers to reach their customers,” Glenn Rogers, chief executive officer of Black Press, said in a statement. “Canso, Deans
Knight and Carpenter Media have been true partners throughout this process as we’ve built a plan that we believe is the right way forward for Black Press.” Carpenter Media Group, formerly Carpenter Newsmedia, operates leading community news publications in southern United States, including Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Kentucky. Carpenter publishes titles See SALE Page 6
Registration now open FROM THE PRESIDENT at wnpa.com for News Media Day in Olympia Our annual legislative day in conjunction with the Washington State Association of Broadcasters and the Allied Daily Newspapers will begin at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15 in the John A. Cherberg Building, rooms A, B, and C. Registration is now open at wnpa.com. Just click on the home page tile to get to the registration page. Attendees can register for the full program, or one of several events. The deadline for registration is Friday, Feb. 9. The day will begin with a discussion of legislative issues facing the news media. A brown bag lunch meeting begins around noon with transportation and general budget panels of legislative leadership followed by a panel of
Speaker Laurie Jinkins, Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig, House Republican Leader Drew Stokesbary and Senate Republican Leader John Braun. Statewide elected officials will speak followed by Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste and selected agency directors. Following the briefings is a reception with the Supreme Court, where we will hear a report from Bench Bar Press. From there, attendees go to the Governor’s Mansion for a reception at the Governor’s Mansion with Governor and Mrs. Inslee and selected guests. This event should wrap up at 7:30 to 8 p.m. Lunch, refreshments and food will be served at this event.
Officers: Donna Etchey, President; Sean Flaherty, 1st Vice President; Matt Winters, 2nd Vice President; Michelle Nedved, Past President. Trustees: Roger Harnack, Teresa Myers, Rudi Alcott, Staci Baird, Terry Ward and Bob Richardson. THE WASHINGTON NEWSPAPER is the offical publication of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association. It is published monthly by WNPA, PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Fred Obee, Executive Director: 360-344-2938 Email: execdirector@wnpa.com Janay Collins, Member Services Director: 360-344-2938. Email: ads@wnpa.com 2 The Washington Newspaper January 2024
Change in the air for the New Year; Obee steps down, board looks ahead
By Donna Etchey Happy New Year! I hope all of you were able to survive budget season. This has been a challenging time for most of us. It is hard to predict what the advertising and Etchey subscription model will look like in the future. I am still passionate about being involved in local media; I feel we have an important place in our communities. Local media is so important to our readers whether you are in a large urban community like Spokane, Seattle, and Tacoma or smaller communities, we all have an important role to play in bringing local news to our readers. I began my media career in 1996, and it was always my dream to work for my
local community paper. Little did I know that 10 years later I would be the publisher of that local community paper. Now almost 30 years later, while I am not at that same paper, I can still say I am fascinated with the engagement that our readers have with local community papers. Our readers feel like they have a stake in the outcome of their paper. They want their community newspaper to thrive. Speaking of community newspapers, it is with great sadness that I announce that our esteemed Executive Director, Fred Obee has resigned from the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, effective at the end of March. Fred has been at the helm of the WNPA since 2016, but his roots in newspapers began in 1978 when he was in college working on his journalism degree at Western Washington University. Fred’s first newspaper after college was the Whid-
bey News-Times where he eventually became editor. After the News-Times, he took a job at the Port Townsend leader as reporter where he covered courts and the county government. In 2000, he left Washington for a three-year stint as the editor of the Daily Triplicate in Northern California. I am assuming that Washington still felt like home to him, as he came back to the Pacific Northwest in 2003 as the General Manager of the Port Townsend Leader. He served in that job for over 12 years. After leaving the Leader, we were lucky to have Fred join our organization and take the helm at a very challenging time. Fred helped our organization survive the COVID-19 pandemic and kept our organization afloat. While I was doing my research on Fred for this column, I found that Fred is a very interesting person. He has written some well-crafted articles about our industry. If you know
Fred, you know that he is a man of few words but place a pen in his hand and he has a lot to say. We are grateful to Fred for the many years he has served our industry and the passion he still has today to see community newspapers thrive. I want to assure you all that the association is in good hands. We have a very solid board of directors. We have created a committee that will be discussing what the future of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association should look like in five or 10 years. I am excited to be part of this process and I am always looking for feedback from our membership. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of WNPA. If you have any thoughts or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or any board member. Fred was kind enough to give three months notice, so he will be with us until the end of March.
New podcast up featuring Rajah Bose Rajah Bose a freelance photographer and artist from Spokane, talks about his beginnings in small town journalism and his eventual freelance career in the latest WNPA podcast. Born in Minneapolis and raised in Phoenix, Bose moved to Pullman with his family when he started high school. In 1998, as an undergrad at Washington State University, he joined the school newspaper and found a viable path to photography through journalism. Bose worked for the MoscowPullman Daily News The Spokes-
man-Review. He’s a freelance photographer for several national publications, and covered the murders of the University of Idaho students in 2022 for the New York Times. Today, Bose runs Factory Town with his wife and creative partner, local muralist Ellen Picken. WNPA podcasts are interviews with accomplished photographers, writers and reporters. In addition to Bose, currently on the site are interviews with Les Zaitz, owner and publisher of the Malheur Enterprise, where Les and his staff
redefined how community papers should approach reporting. Also, Eli Sanders, Pulitzer Prize winning writer formerly with the Stranger in Seattle, talks interviewing and narrative writing techniques, and Jacqui Banaszynski, another Pulitzer Prize winner, talks about how you gain the trust of the people you write about. You can access the podcasts by clicking on the podcast homepage tile of WNPA’s website, or by searching for Washington Newspaper Publishers Association on Google podcasts.
Washington voters for transparency despite legislative privilege rulings
This year’s ElwayCrosscut poll showed clearly that government transparency is the ultimate bipartisan issue. The poll asked voters from both parties about government transparency and the state Public Records Act, which says state agency documents, including emails, should be available to the public. Some state lawmakers have recently claimed something they call “legislative privilege,” exempting themselves from having to share some of their emails, texts and other communications when asked by the public or the media. But the Washington Supreme Court has ruled they are subject to the Public Records Act. Voters who answered the most recent Crosscut-Elway Poll were clear: 82% said lawmakers should comply with public disclosure laws, 9% said legislators should be exempt and 8% had no opinion. At the legislative preview sponsored by Allied Daily Newspapers, the Washington State Association of Broadcasters and WNPA, legislative leaders from both parties said because the courts have recognized that a legislative privilege exists, they couldn’t say they would never use it. All said, however, that it would be rare and that they have not today refused to hand over documents claiming legislative privilege. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, said she was probably the legislator who has claimed the privilege the most, but said she agreed it should be used sparingly. All said they would allow the courts to define what can be withheld
under a claim of Legislative privilege. In a blow to transparency at the Washington State Legislature, a Thurston County Superior Court ruled the law allows state lawmakers to withhold records that are “privileged.” Just what is privileged and what is not remains a murky question under the
ruling. The courts have now ruled twice in favor of some kind of privilege for lawmakers. “It’s a sad day for transparency in Washington state,” said Juli Bunting, executive director of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, one of the petitioners in the case, “when legislators can
decide what information they’re going to give to the public and what information they’re not going to give to the public.” In the latest case, Judge Anne Egeler said lawmakers may withhold “records revealing internal legislative deliberations concerning bills contemplated or introduced in either house of the Legislature.” “State and federal courts recognize that this serves an important public interest by allowing legislators to engage in candid deliberations,” Egeler said. Egeler’s ruling said the privilege “does not shield every legislative document” and does not extend to acts outside the legislative process.
BENCH-BAR-PRESS COMMITTEE ANNUAL EVENT
Save the Date Join us for the annual Bench-Bar-Press Committee luncheon as we discuss strategies to counter disinformation and politicization of the courts and media. Moderated by Eric Liu, Citizen University Founder, and featuring Kate Starbird, Co-Founder of the University of Washington’s Center for an Informed Public
Friday, February 23, 2024 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM Luncheon Event (Annual Meeting Precedes at 11:00 AM)
Washington Athletic Club 1325 Sixth Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98101 Questions? Contact Heather Ligtenberg, Administrative Office of the Courts, at heather.ligtenberg@courts.wa.gov.
Washington State Archives, Washington State Library, and Legacy Washington
Recording, preserving, and sharing Washington history. • Digitized government records
• Genealogy and history research support • Community digital archives online
• Historic Washington newspapers online • Traveling exhibits and publications
Visit sos.wa.gov for more info.
The Washington Newspaper January 2024 3
MAKE AN
IMPACT IN WASHINGTON STATE
Washington
IMPACTADS
• ImpactAds are small ads placed in community newspapers throughout the state. • You can buy the whole state or target Western or Eastern Washington. • Choose either small display ads or classified word ads. • Deadline is 5 p.m. the Tuesday prior to the week you want the ad to run.
Call today! 360-344-2938 WNPA PO Box 389, Port Townsend, WA 98368 ads@wnpa.com • www.wnpa.com 4 The Washington Newspaper January 2024
READERS 660,000
CIRCULATION 264,000
IDEAL FOR: Festivals Car shows Concerts Recruitment Wineries Resorts
Counties, cities have cash for tourism
Go get your share to bring visitors When you are looking for ways to bring in new revenue, spend a few minutes learning how your WNPA co-op ad network can help your bottom line. People are itching to get out and mingle and community events are filling the streets. But extra effort is necessary these days to let people know your town is open for business and welcoming tourists. Many just trust in online notices, but with ad blocking software and distrust of social media growing, it isn’t the solution it used to be. In this changing environment, trusted community newspapers across the state serving a highly educated, affluent and involved readership are a perfect place to get a message out. Every ad salesperson knows it is wise to identify the entities in your community with fat ad budgets. At this moment in time, don’t overlook the folks with hundreds of thousands of dollars to spend – your local governments! Every city and county in the state has a pool of money generated by local lodging taxes, and that money is supposed to be used to reach beyond local markets and bring people to town. If you have not already, you should ask your city and county governments (each has separate funds) for a report on where the lodging tax money is going (usually chambers of commerce and local non-profits) and then propose a marketing plan that reaches out across the region. WNPA ads are a perfect match for boosting community events because you can choose to advertise region-
Continued on Page 7
Ad network: Fairs & fests, golf courses, wineries, resorts all can benefit
STANDARD SIZE
Continued from Page 6 ally or statewide. Here’s how the WNPA program works: • You sell the ad to a local organization. • You charge your client for the full cost of the ad and send an insertion order to WNPA. WNPA then invoices you for half the cost of the ad, splitting the revenue on the ad sale. The advertising salesperson gets their regular commission on the sale. • WNPA uses our share of the money to provide your legal hotline, professional services, Legislative Day, the Better Newspaper Contest and the annual convention. • We keep the price to the client affordable by asking all member newspapers to publish the ads sold by other newspapers for free. The ads are small – just two columns wide by either two or four inches tall. One column by four or eight inches is also OK. They need to be produced in two different widths, to accommodate different column widths. Potential customers include festivals, fairs, resorts, real estate offices, state agencies, statewide or regional political candidates – anyone who desires a cost effective regional or statewide campaign. Because member newspapers publish these ads for free, we can only promise that they will run as black and white ads. If you include a color version, many papers will use it instead, but there is no guarantee of this. Need more information? Contact WNPA by emailing ads@wnpa.com or by calling 360-344-2938.
STATEWIDE..................$1,600 WESTERN......................$1,300 EASTERN..........................$700
SUPER SIZE NOTE
Produce ads in two sizes,‘Version A & Version B,’ to accommodate different page sizes.
STATEWIDE..................$3,200 WESTERN......................$2,600 EASTERN.......................$1,400
CLASSIFIEDS
STATEWIDE......................$325
The Washington Newspaper January 2024 5
SALE: Restructuring sought
Continued from Page 1 such as the Bowling Green Daily News in Kentucky and the Port Arthur News in Texas. “Canso and Deans Knight – both Canadian long-time supporters of the company – and Carpenter Media Group, are firm believers in local media and the future of Black Press,” said Todd Carpenter, chairman of Carpenter Media Group.“We are all committed to maintaining the company’s vital journalistic presence in Canada and to a plan that creates the most financially beneficial environment for Black Press to continue to do what
it does best - produce excellent journalism and advertising services for the communities it serves all across Canada and the U.S.” Under the terms of the proposed transaction, which will require court approval, Black Press Media will continue to be Canadian controlled. Black Press Media intends to continue to operate its 80-plus local news publications – online and in print – as well as its lifestyle magazines and various customer solutions services within Canada, with its head office remaining in Surrey, B.C. The media company employs
roughly 1,200 employees between its Canadian and U.S. divisions. Monday’s filing comes on the same day Black Press Founder David Black’s retirement was announced. Black founded Black Press Media with the purchase of the Williams Lake Tribune in 1975. Over a multi-decade, Black volunteered in several leading board positions, including serving as governor of the Canadian Newspaper Association and chair of the B.C. Progress Board in 2003. An avid supporter of sports, Black led the team that won the rights for Victoria to host the 1994
Commonwealth Games and continued to support the quadrennial multisport event in various roles thereafter. The Black family offered thanks to employees as well as advertisers and readers for their continued support of local journalism. “The Black family is confident that the restructuring of Black Press announced today will be successful and enable Black Press to continue to provide high quality community journalism, and that the proposed new owners will be excellent stewards of Black Press’ treasured publications.”
ISWNE seeks entries for editorial contest The International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) is accepting entries for its annual Golden Quill editorial writing contest. Deadline is Feb. 1, 2024. Entries should reflect the purpose of the ISWNE: Encouraging the writing of editorials or staff-written opinion pieces that identify local issues that are or should be of concern to the community, offer an opinion, and support a course of action. All published fewer than four days per week are eligible to enter. Online-only newspapers must be considered
community news sites. Syndicated columnists are not eligible. Entries must have been published between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023. Cost is $15 per entry for ISWNE members, $20 for non-members, and $5 for students. The winner will receive a conference scholarship and travel expenses up to $500. Information on how to prepare and send entries can be found at iswne.org. For specific questions, contact ISWNE Executive Director Chad Stebbins at stebbins-c@ mssu.edu.
Building Healthier Communities Local newspapers are working to provide access to high quality news coverage. Local dentists are working to provide access to high quality oral health care. We’re both working to build a stronger community. Thank you for everything you do.
wsda.org 6 The Washington Newspaper January 2024
The Washington Newspaper January 2024 7
JOB BOARD EDUCATION/ GA REPORTER The Wenatchee World is looking for a full-time education and general assignment reporter with an eye for enterprise sought to report on schools and district news in Chelan and Douglas counties in the stunning Wenatchee Valley, Washington, right on the Columbia River at the base of the Cascade mountains. As a reporter you will developing sources and establishing relationships with teachers, students, parents, and administrators; report on school events, board meetings, and stories that develop out of those meetings, as well as enterprise stories and features. Applicants should have a journalism degree or journalism experience and experience in multimedia storytelling is preferred. Being bilingual in Spanish/English is a plus as are photo/video skills. You should understand journalistic ethics and have a knowledge of AP style and the ability to produce clean copy. Schedule is flexible that includes occasional nights and weekends. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and clip links to Managing Editor Nancy Niles at niles@ wenatcheeworld.com The Wenatchee World / Washington Media LLC is a division of Wick Communications. ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Here is your chance to make a difference and work for an organization fighting to preserve
democracy. The Washington Coalition for Open Government is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works to preserve access to government records and meetings. The Administrative Director position will start as a part-time position with the possibility of going full-time within two years. This is a contract position and at this times. We are not able to provide benefits. The job is located in Redmond, Washington with possibilities for remote, hybrid work as well as in-office time. Salary: $37.50 per hour; $3,000 per month Duties include answering phones, organizing files, updating listservs, scheduling and recording all meetings, and maintaining calendars. Also, assisting the Executive Director in planning and managing annual events and fundraisers. Qualifications required: include rhree or more years’ experience providing administrative/office support OR 2-3 years experience in government or journalism. Proficiency with Office Suite software and Email Management, strong communications and writing skills, knowledge of business management practices knowledge of government processes and a valid Washington State driver’s license. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Executive Director Juli Bunting at infor@washingtoncog.org. SALES CONSULTANT (WHIDBEY) Come work with us at The Whidbey NewsTimes and South Whid-
8 The Washington Newspaper January 2024
bey Record, divisions of Sound Publishing, Inc. We are looking for an Outside Salesperson for our office on Whidbey Island to generate sales for our print and online products. Must have a valid WA State Driver’s License, active vehicle insurance, and a reliable vehicle. Professional sales experience is a big plus and media experience is a definite asset, but neither are mandatory! We will train! We offer a base salary of $35k, with unlimited commission opportunity! We also have a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, life insurance, a 401k retirement plan with company match, and paid time off including vacation and sick leave. To apply please email your resume to careers@ soundpublishing.com with a subject line of “ATTN: MMSCWHIDBEY” SALES CONSULTANT (ENUMCLAW) Come work with us as an outside multimedia sales consultant at the Enumclaw Courier Herald. This is a full-time, salary PLUS commission position (55k-65k total compensation) with an initial three-month commission guarantee, and a six month sales performance bonus! We offer Medical/Vision/ Dental/Life/AD&D, and LTD insurance, EAP & Wellness plans, 401k retirement plan with company match, paid holidays, vvacation & sick leave. -Must have a valid WA
driver’s license with active vehicle insurance and reliable vehicle Please email your resume to careers@ soundpublishing.com with the subject line of “ATTN:ECHSALES” GENERAL REPORTER The Reflector, a community newspaper based out of Battle Ground, Washington, is hiring for a full-time general reporter position to join our news team. Candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience, as well as strong writing and communication skills with an emphasis on clarity and accuracy. Knowledge of AP style, social media and basic photography skills are a plus. A willingness to learn and adapt in a fast-paced
newsroom environment and strong interpersonal skills for building effective relationships in the community and newsroom are a must. The Reflector offers medical and dental coverage and reimburses journalists traveling to and from assignments at a rate of 66 cents per mile. The position is for 40 hours per week and starts at $19 per hour. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and examples of your work to Editor Jessica Keller, Jessica@ chronline.com. The Reflector, a division of CT Publishing, is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER Sound Publishing Inc. is seeking general assignment reportersphotographers for the city of Bainbridge Island. Experience is preferred but will consider recent college graduates. The schedule may require evening and/or weekend work. We are looking for a team player willing to get involved in the local community through the publication of the weekly newspaper and daily web journalism. The right candidate will have a commitment to community journalism and everything from short, brief-type stories about people and events to examining issues facing the community. You should also be able to spot emerging issues and trends; and Continued on Page 9
With over 60 years of experience, we know journalism. From public records to protecting journalists, from defamation claims to business needs, large and small publishers turn to us. DWT.COM • Anchorage • Bellevue • Los Angeles • New York • Portland • San Francisco • Seattle • Shanghai • Washington D.C.
Continued from Page 8 write clean, balanced and accurate stories. We offer a competitive hourly wage and benefits package including health insurance, paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays), and 401K with employer match, and $18 per hour starting wage. Part-time and full-time positions available. Email us your cover letter, resume, and include five examples of your best work to careers@soundpublishing.com with a subject line of “ATTN:BIRREP”
What happens to your archives when newspapers consolidate? Sometimes the selling publisher will retain ownership, sometimes the archives are passed on to the new owners. In either case, it is important that all parties agree and understand what is going to happen with the bound, loose or microfilm archives.
Historical stakeholders will continue your stewardship! There’s no downside to scanning your newspaper's archive but there is a singular hurdle so daunting that most publishers simply cannot foresee any way to overcome it – cost. Luckily, there are organizations determined to help. ArchiveInABox works with historical societies and museums who can provide funding to digitize and index small-town newspapers, while publisher retains all ownership and rights.
ArchiveInABox can help you: Carry on Stewardship Mission Maintain Ownership of Copyrights Digitize Archives for Community Access
ArchiveInABox.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Award winning community newspaper in beautiful Pend Oreille County, Wash., is looking for an associate editor. We’re located in Newport, Wash., on the Washington/Idaho border, in the very Northeast corner of Washington. The perfect candidate is an experienced reporter/editor. That experience can be from either a journalism degree or work in the field, or both. Knowledge of AP style and competency in photography is required. InDesign/Photoshop knowledge and layout experience desired, but not required. We want you to learn our community, gain institutional knowledge of our beats, and be a long-term member of our team. Come join our team and make a positive difference in the world. Email resume, cover letter and writing samples to michellenewportminer@gmail.com.
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