Spring 2015 Published by Mississippi Press Services WINTER ROAST EARNS NEARLY $30,000 FOR FOUNDATION GRANTS, INTERNSHIPS

FORMER GOVERNOR TRADES JOKES WITH COLLEAGUES ABOUT HIS LONG CAREER William Winter is a statesmen of near unrivaled stature in the Magnolia State. He endured plenty of jokes and then shared good memories of his political career at the annual fundraiser for the MPA Education Foundation. Page 8. Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans. CONVENTION 2015 Louisiana, Mississippi associations PEOPLE Horton new to convene this June in Big Easy publisher of Newspaper professionals from Piper, formerly a national account Brookhaven two states will convene in New manager for the Boston Globe and newspaper Oreleans June 18-20 for the second retired executive director of the New of two consecutive joint meetings of England Newspaper Association, Page 3. the Louisiana and Mississippi press returned to Normandy in June 2014 associations. for the 70th anniversary of the The 2015 Joint Convention will invasion. be held at the Loews New Orleans Session speakers include Hotel. Registration is now open newspaper publisher and advertising and hotel reservation information pro Peter Wagner, editorial available at the event website trainer Robert Buckman and non- lpampa2015.com. verbal communication expert Jan Sessions planned for the Courtesy AP Hargrave. convention include a panel Piper at the 2014 70th anniversary of The event will kick off with an discussion on the 10th anniversary D-Day observation in Normandy. opening reception at the Loews of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall, Hotel the evening of June 18. as well as a number of breakout Room rates are $149 nightly from programs on editorial, advertising in the U.S. Army landed with other June 17-20 and should be made by and general newspaper topics. allied forces force at Normandy in May 28 to receive the group rate. Morley Piper, a retired newspaper 1944 will be the keynote speaker Reservations can be made online or McDavid Conference executive who as a young lieutenant at Friday’s opening luncheon. by calling 866-211-6411. Page 5. 2 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN THANKFUL FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE ‘INK IN THEIR BLOOD’ oodville, Miss., is one of pointing to heaven” atop the Pres- those places you just don’t byterian Church is worth a visit in Wpass through. Tucked away itself. Fourth Estate in the southwest corner of the state, The town’s charm is noted in the you have to be going there to get Joel fact it was spared destruction by there. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant in 1863 during The official newspaper of the I visited the quaint little town with McNeece the Civil War because it was “too Mississippi Press Association the historic newspaper in February pretty to burn.” during a two-day adventure around One place best captures the allure 371 Edgewood Terrace, Jackson, MS 39206 601-981-3060 | Fax 601-981-3676 the Magnolia State with Layne Bruce, of the town for me – the office of The www.mspress.org executive director of the MPA, and Dr. Reveille. Marjorie Bufkin gave us the Will Norton, Dean of the Meek School grand tour of the downtown office MPA-MPS Staff of Journalism and New Media at Ole that’s worthy of charging admission Layne Bruce David Gillis Miss. We knew we were in for its great newspaper artifacts. executive director director of sales None of us had ever been to Wood- The offices of The News-Com- [email protected] [email protected] the right spot when ville – home of the oldest, continu- mercial in downtown Collins were Monica Gilmer Andrea Ross ously operated newspaper in Missis- we rounded a corner very similar. Executive Editor James member services media buyer [email protected] [email protected] sippi. just a block off the old Arrington Goff saves everything, We knew we were in the right including an old Heidelberg press Beth Boone Sue Hicks town square and saw foundation coordinator bus. development mgr. spot when we rounded a corner just and a Linotype used by his father [email protected] [email protected] a block off the old town square and a large Linotype... Jimmy Goff and grandfather James

The Fourth Estate serves as the official newspaper of the saw a large Linotype – the line cast- Arrington Goff Sr. Mississippi Press Association, recording the history of the ing machine that was the industry He shared stories of working at the organization, its members and associates. Copies are distrib- uted at no charge to members and are available by contact- standard for newspapers from the newspaper when he was as young as ing the MPA office. late 19th century up to the 1960s – ticle that noted my family’s visit one 8 years old. His mother, 78-year-old Commentary columns published herein are the opinion of sitting outside an old concrete block Sunday afternoon to my grandparents Analyn Goff, is still publisher of the their respective authors and not necessarily those of the MPA, its board of directors or staff. building nestled beneath a tall oak Gordon and Dimple Ferguson’s home newspaper and was on hand to greet tree and surrounded by thick cast many, many years ago. us when we entered and had some MPA-MPS Board of Directors iron plants. Later that evening, I dropped in fun with me comparing her iPhone 6 The paper’s history – it was on Clay Mansell, publisher of my Plus with my smaller version. Joel McNeece Don Norman President First Vice President established in 1823 by William A.A. hometown newspaper, The Clinton The trip also included some laughs Calhoun Co. Journal Starkville Daily News Chisholm – was enthralling on its Courier. Clay started the newspaper with MPA board member Jack Ryan, Bruce Starkville own, but we were even more taken by from scratch a few years ago and publisher of the Enterprise-Journal Paul Keane James Arrington Goff the gracious charm of publisher Andy quickly found great success. Catching in McComb; some of the best bar- Second Vice President Treasurer J. Lewis and his wife Lili. him after hours at the office wasn’t becue you will find anywhere, at Wayne County News The News-Commerical Waynesboro Collins Andy is a fourth generation pub- surprising, given the time he puts in Leatha’s in Hattiesburg, with The lisher of The Woodville Republican. on a weekly basis, but he was quick Lamar Times publisher David James E. Prince III Layne Bruce Immediate Past President Executive Director His great-grandfather acquired the to point out he loves everything about Gustafson; and a wonderful visit Neshoba Democrat MPA/MPS newspaper in 1879. Andy and Lili live the business. with Adam Prestridge, publisher of Philadelphia next door to the paper office and he Thursday morning we visited one The Columbian-Progress in Marion John P. “Pat” Brown Kevin Cooper sells insurance on the side, but he of the hardest working men in the County. The Magee Courier The Natchez Democrat was quick to point out the newspaper business in Marcus Bowers, publisher Jack, David and Adam, like so Magee Natchez is his passion. of the 167-year-old Rankin County many other newspaper publishers Clay Foster H. Ray Mosby It’s a love shared by Layne, Will News. We were extremely lucky to across this state, play key roles in Daily Journal Deer Creek Pilot and me. This was our third excursion catch Marcus, an MPA past president, their respective communities re- Tupelo Rolling Fork together since I became president of in his Brandon office. He stays on the porting news, promoting business, Stephanie Patton Jack Ryan MPA on a mission to visit as many of go doing whatever is needed for his documenting history, and sharing the The Leland Progress Enterprise-Journal Leland McComb the more than 120 newspapers across newspaper and community. important events in the lives of their the state during my term. Tim Reeves, the new publisher of many readers. I got a head start the night before The Vicksburg Post, took us to lunch When you witness their zeal for when after speaking to a class at at Walnut Hills on our visit to the their work, it’s easy to understand Hinds Community College in Ray- River City. The fried chicken, squash, why 1.5 million Mississippians regu- mond, I paid a visit to the Hinds cabbage and cornbread was unfor- larly read a newspaper and why those County Gazette, which itself was gettable, as was Reeves’ stories of his of us with ink in our blood are so founded in 1843. experiences in Selma, Ala., and his thankful. Mississippi Press Association | Established 1866 I missed the owners of the news- excitement for the future of The Post. Mississippi Press Services | Established 1978 MPA Education Foundation | Established 1983 paper, which is the first one in which I had driven through beautiful MPA-MPS President Joel McNeece is pub- I ever saw my name printed. That de- downtown Port Gibson many times lisher of The Calhoun County Journal. His but came inside the “Utica News” ar- through the years. The “golden hand email address is [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @joelmcneece. Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 3 BYLINES Biloxi Sun Herald Doug Barber recently retired from The Sun Herald after three decades as a sports writer with the coastal daily. Birmingham News/al.com Adam Ganucheau, a 2014 graduate of the Meek School of Jour- nalism and New Media at Ole Miss, recently joined Al.com and The Birmingham News as a reporter. He spent the summer of 2014 as an intern for USA Today and briefly worked for The Clarion-Ledger. Clarion-Ledger Sam Hall has been named executive editor of the Jackson daily. He previously was publisher of the Scott County Times and editor of The Times-Post in Houston. Previously he served as assignment editor and readership engagement editor for the Ledger. He succeeds Brian Tolley who departed in August. Pascagoula Mississippi Press Dinner at the Press Club Warren Kulo, a reporter for The Mississippi Press in Pasca- MPA members recently dined at the National Press Club during the annual National Newspaper As- goula, received the Warren Willams Award from the Ameri- sociation Leadership Summit in Washington, DC. Karson Hoagland, a senior at the Meek School of can Psychiatric Association Assembly. Kulo was nominated for Journalism and New Media, was one of 10 news fellows who participated in a two-day editorial work- coverage over the the refusal of the City of Ocean Spring to shop focusing on national reporting issues. Pictured are MPA President Joel McNeece of The Calhoun grant a use permit for Psycamore Psychiatric Programs. County Journal in Bruce, Meek School Dean Will Norton, Hoagland, MPA past president Lisa McNeece and Executive Director Layne Bruce. Starkville Daily News TRANSITION Jim Gaines has been named managing editor of the Starkville Daily News. He most recently was a government reporter for Newton County publisher takes reins The Macon (GA) Telegraph. In Starkville he succeeds Zack Plair. Daily Times Leader of Brookhaven, Prentiss newspapers William Carroll has been named managing editor of the Daily Times Leader in West Point. He succeeds Mary Garrison. BROOKHAVEN term newspaper leader Newton County native Luke Horton for Brookhaven and has been named president of Brookhaven Prentiss.” Claremore, OK NewsMedia and publisher of The Daily Horton graduated John Dilmore has been named publisher of The Daily Progress Leader, The Prentiss Headlight and from Mississippi State in Claremore, Okla. He is a graduate of the University of South- affiliated publications. University and began ern Mississippi and started his newspaper career in the Mag- Horton, 31, has been serving as publisher his newspaper career nolia State. of The Newton County Appeal in Union- at The Star-Herald Newton. in Kosciusko. He later “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve served as news editor of DATELINES this community,” he said. “We will build upon Horton The Natchez Democrat the strong foundation of the 133-year-old and editor of the DeSoto Webinar: Data Driven In-Depth Reporting. De- newspaper and join the great team already in Times Today in Hernando and worked in 5/7tails at onlinemediacampus.com. place at the newspaper. North Carolina before taking the publisher’s “My family is excited to be moving to job in Union. He has won numerous state and Webinar: Organizing Your Sales Team. Details Brookhaven and believe it will be a great regional journalism awards for photography, at onlinemediacampus.com. place in which to raise our family.” reporting, design and commentary. 5/21 Horton and his wife, Lauren, have five Horton has also served as a missionary children, Ethan, 8; Beverly, 5; Levi, 3; Adah, in South Africa while in college and as a Memorial Day. MPA-MPS office closed. 18 months; and Noel, 3 weeks. Children’s Protective Services caseworker in 5/25 “We are thrilled to have Luke join us Houston, Texas. and lead the Brookhaven and Prentiss “Newspapers have the power to do good MPA-MPS-MPAEF Board Meetings. Loews newspapers,” said Kevin Cooper, vice in their communities,” he said. “A newspaper 6/18New Orleans Hotel. president of Boone Newspapers, which is an should not only inform and entertain, but owner of Brookhaven NewsMedia. “Luke’s also work to better the lives of those in the LPA-MPA Joint Convention. Loews New unique experience, strong work ethic and community.” 6/18Orleans Hotel. family values make him the perfect, long- 4 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 MARCH OF EVENTS Bill increases transparency, but fight continues he first quarter was, as predicted, only after the hospital association community, particularly ones that short of neither hills nor valleys was either mollified or simply realized tend to be close-knit like school Tfor us at the Association. the snowball had grown into an campuses. We expected the legislative session avalanche. While the paper will supposedly to be relatively quiet as House and Layne The bill is by no means perfect. It live on as an online-only publication, Senate members kept their eyes on re- still allows for too many exceptions to the school is also losing its lone election later this year rather than re- Bruce the rule of openness. journalism professor. inventing the wheel at the Capitol. But we ended the session with a I am fairly dispassionate (primarily Nevertheless, there were still stronger Open Meetings Act than irreverent) about most things. challenges. An unexpected one was when we started. But about this I am not: A student the resistance Senate Bill 2407 ran And that has to be considered a newspaper is an invaluable teaching was applied by MPA members and into in the House. The legislation was win. tool. Not just for the instruction of filed by Sen. Brice Wiggins of Jackson open government advocates was journalism, but for its ability to teach the bill feebly assigned to the House County and repealed the exemption ELSEWHERE, WE suffered the an appreciation for the written word, Committee on Health and Human publicly owned hospitals enjoyed from indignity of the whims and wishes for curiosity and for taking an interest Services. the Open Meetings Act. of a mercurial and nearly almighty in the world around us. There it was stripped of its power One would have expected this bill Board of Trustees of the state Delta State’s leadership effectively to enforce the Open Meetings Act to sail through to the Governor’s Institutions of Higher Learning. declared such things are not cost at every public hospital. Instead, desk after it passed the Senate After unceremoniously – and quite effective, even after MPA expressed committee members caved to the unanimously. The horror story of ham handedly – giving Ole Miss interest in providing some funding to formidable pressure of the Mississippi what happened to pensioners who Chancellor Dan Jones the boot, the keep the paper in print. Hospital Association, one of the most once worked for Singing River IHL Board rubber stamped a budget For its part, the IHL Board rubber- powerful lobbies in Jackson. Health System in Pascagoula is well cutting proposal from Delta State stamped LaForge’s recommended And, again, only after the state documented: The Sun Herald in University president Bill LaForge. The cuts, which touched many other press corps and, specifically, Biloxi and The Mississippi Press cuts include shuttering the campus’ programs aside from journalism and MPA member papers turned their newspaper in Pascagoula had been 83-year-old newspaper, The Delta the newspaper. unrelenting glare to the issue was telling the story for months. Statement, and ends the small but There was no discussion. parity restored to the bill and it But the bill suddenly stalled scrappy journalism program at the Proving IHL does not interfere in passed on to the Governor for his when it moved over to the House in school. school affairs...except when it does. signature. February. It sat on Speaker Phillip We feel for the university, its It’s the kind of bill that everyone Gunn’s desk waiting on a committee students and alumni. There are Layne Bruce is executive director of wants to take credit for when it assignment until the shot clock nearly tangible and intangible consequences MPA-MPS. His email address is lbruce@ comes to pass. That is, of course, ran out. Only after some pressure to loss of a newspaper in any mspress.org.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS Governor to sign bill increasing public hospital transparency >> From the Associated Press transparency bill, which would require Retired Sing- boards of publicly run hospitals to ing River Health JACKSON keep most of their meetings open System employ- Gov. Phil Bryant was expected to to the public. Boards could close ees speak to the sign a bill to increase public hopsital meetings to discuss employment media following an transparency by the end of April. contracts for physicians or other initial House vote The bill, championed by MPA and hospital workers. They could also in early March on other open government advocates like close meetings to discuss competitive a bill to increase the Mississippi Center for Freedom business matters and patient public hospital of Information, was filed in response information. transparency. to pension losses at Singing River “No one should ever have to go Hospital in Jackson County. Financial (through) what you’re going through,” problems existed for months before Bryant told the retirees. He won a coming to light, largely because the standing ovation from the group in a board of the county-owned hospital crowded committee room. Many wore routinely met in private. buttons or T-shirts with the slogan: “It breaks my heart to know that “Do the right thing.” years as a pediatric nurse at Singing Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, who you find yourself in this situation,” Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, River Hospital and was thrown into also spoke to the retirees, said Bryant, a Republican, told more than told the retirees their support for the financial uncertainty because of the Wiggins persistently pushed for the three dozen of the hospital’s retirees bill pushed it through the House and pension situation. transparency bill. and their relatives who traveled to Senate. “She can’t go on any of the trips she “We think that the taxpayers ought the state Capitol in March to push for “It put a face to the issue,” Wiggins planned. She didn’t buy any Christmas to know what’s going to happen to Senate Bill 2407. said. presents,” Smith said in an interview. their money, and that it shouldn’t be The House and Senate both passed Sabrina Smith of Lucedale said her “She’s very upset. She can’t sleep. She confined to cities or counties,” Reeves in late March the final version of the mother, Jean Manning, retired after 32 has anxiety. She has heart problems.” said. “It should be all public money.” Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 5

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION Department of Education refused to fill records request despite opinion it was valid >> By EMILY LE COZ be recorded on the established The Clarion-Ledger Register of Proposals,” which suggests such a list does exist. JACKSON It appears MDE worded its denial An email obtained by The Clarion- based on Funches’ email. Funches Ledger shows the Mississippi had said the Register of Proposals Department of Education denied a isn’t subject to public inspection until public records request even though it after the award of the contract, even apparently knew its reasons weren’t though the names of the vendors can valid. be shared publicly before that time. The Clarion-Ledger on March If the Register of Proposals isn’t McDavid Conference held at Craft Center 17 requested the names of vendors public, and if it’s the only document A trio of newspaper professionals (top photo) discussed the demands of the modern vying for a $122 million contract to containing a list of vendors, then news cycle and news consumers with 75 collegiate journalists during the annual O.C. administer statewide assessments to the request is denied. Or so the hundreds of thousands of elementary McDavid Conference March 26 in Ridgeland. Taking part in the discussion are David reasoning seemed to go. Gustafson (from left), publisher of The Lamar Times and The Petal News, Therese Apel, and secondary public school students But the Public Records Act makes in Mississippi. reporter for The Clarion-Ledger and Josh Mlot, sports editor for The Lamar Times and no exemptions for a Register of The Petal News. A keynote address was presented on sunshine laws by Leonard Van The agency denied the Proposals. newspaper’s request on March 26, Slyke, attorney for the Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information. Pictured with “We agree that the Public Records Van Slyke (bottom photo, from left) are Chuck Cook, advisor for The Student Printz at saying the state Personal Services Act governs, and that any conflict the University of Southern Mississippi and MPA President Joel McNeece, publisher of Contract Review Board rules and would be resolved by the Public The Calhoun County Journal in Bruce. regulations allow it to withhold Records Act,” McGregor said. “What that information until awarding the the rules are trying to protect is contract. proprietary information, which is But in an email sent more than also protected under the Public a week before the agency’s denial, Records Act.” PSCRB Director Teselyn Melton told MDE Director Donna Hales that “the Redactions allowed rules do not prohibit your agency The act allows agencies to redact from providing the names of vendors sensitive or proprietary information submitting proposals or the number from public records. of proposals received prior to the The Clarion-Ledger had appealed award.” MDE’s denial the same day it got it MDE apparently ignored that and was told to expect a response. information when rejecting the It didn’t get one, despite repeated newspaper’s public records request. requests for an answer over the It also ignored the Mississippi Public course of more than two weeks. Records Act, which requires public MDE spokeswoman Patrice bodies to release all information Guilfoyle informed the newspaper unless it falls under one of about two in mid-April that the agency has no dozen exemptions. The names of appeals process, which prompted vendors vying for a contract fit no The Clarion-Ledger to file a such exemption. complaint with the Mississippi Ethics “In our mind, the Public Records Commission. Act is always going to trump,” said “… (The) agency is deliberately Deputy State Personnel Director trying to run the clock on its Radionian, Reflector hold on Shawn McGregor, whose agency obligation to release public records oversees the contract review board, until after it awards the contract,” to General Excellence honors otherwise known as the PSCRB. The Clarion-Ledger wrote in the MDE also said in its same denial complaint. The student newspapers at Jones County Junior College and Mississippi letter said it isn’t required to create a The state Board of Education State University were recognized as the best in their classes during the Better document that doesn’t already exist awarded the contract April 16 to Newspaper Contest Student Division awards handed out at March 26 at the and that, since the agency doesn’t Questar Assessment Inc. Immediately annual O.C. McDavid Conference in Ridgeland. have a list of vendors, it doesn’t have afterward, it provided the public The Radionian at JCJC and MSU’s Reflector took top prize in the General to provide one. records originally sought nearly one Excellence category for the second consecutive year. Over 70 student But MDE’s own “Employees’ month ago, along with the letter that journalists from Mississippi took part in the event, which featured a keynote Procedures Manual” for purchasing reiterated the agency’s questionable presentation on Mississippi’s Sunshine Laws by Leonard Van Slyke, attorney states that “proposals received must denial. for the Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information. 6 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 Deaths State college board OKs Claude Sitton ATLANTA budget cuts at Delta State, Claude Sitton, a forceful editor who led The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. from 1968 to 1990, won the Pulitzer Prize as a columnist for the paper, and as a fearless reporter for The New York Times set the standard for national coverage of the civil rights movement, died March 10 in Atlanta. He shuttering newspaper was 89. >> By JEFF AMY decision had already been made before Sitton was regarded as one of the best newsmen in Associated Press those stories were printed. American history for his work as a Times’ Southern Journalism professor Patricia correspondent from 1958 to 1964. He crisscrossed the The College Board has voted to Roberts is likely to be terminated as a region, often risking his life to cover nearly every major eliminate Delta State University’s result of the action. Roberts has said civil rights story in those years, writing about the lunch Journalism program, despite she expects to remain through next counter sit-ins that began in North Carolina, the protests objections by journalism groups. year to complete as the University of Mississippi was desegregated, The board voted unanimously April classes that some the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers, 16 to adopt the recommendation from students need to the church bombing that killed four schoolgirls in DSU President Bill LaForge. He says graduate. Birmingham, and the murder of three civil rights workers the program had too few students The in Neshoba County. Sitton and says it was chosen for closure as Mississippi Press Sitton was a Southerner, born in Atlanta on Dec. 4, part of a larger package of cuts aimed Association, 1925. He grew up on a farm near Conyers, Ga., just east at saving $1 million per year. Four Society of of Atlanta. His father worked on railroads as a conductor and brakeman, and other undergraduate programs will be Professional his mother was a schoolteacher. eliminated, including athletic training, Journalists, He served in the U.S. Navy and Merchant Marine during World War II, communication studies and theater Southeast and after the war entered Emory University, where he intended to major in arts, insurance and real estate and LaForge Journalism business. He switched to journalism and became editor in chief of the student modern foreign languages. Conference and newspaper. He graduated in 1949, though not before first taking a job with “There is never any glee when there Student Press Law Center all have International News Service, where he worked at night for his final three are program eliminations,” LaForge protested the plan. months of college. The next year, he joined United Press, where he worked told the board Thursday. “Eliminating this resource detracts first in the South, then for five years in New York. However, he said the cuts were from the mission of a university, which Sitton won the Pulitzer for commentary (1983), George Polk career award necessary to eliminate $1 million is to prepare young people to become (1991) and John Chancellor Award for excellence in journalism (2000). He in spending to stabilize university good citizens and intelligent, trained taught at Emory University (1991-1994). He was inducted into the Atlanta finances. He said the programs were employees,” SPJ wrote in a Thursday Press Club Hall of Fame (2014). chosen because of low enrollment, news release. Survivors include his wife, Eva Whetstone Sitton, whom he married in not being essential to the university The press association said 1953, and four children: Lauren Lea Stanley, Clinton Whetstone Sitton, mission, and having low opportunities shuttering the print edition of the Suzanna Sitton Greene and Claude McLaurin Sitton. for future growth. newspaper would be harmful. “As a regional university, ladies and “Aside from depriving students, Gus Harwell gentlemen, we just cannot be all things faculty and alumni with an important to all people,” LaForge said. publication to record the history TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The weekly Delta Statement and activities of your school, the Former Tallahassee Democrat publisher Gus Harwell student newspaper will cease print discontinuation of The Statement, died March 6 in Port Orange, Fla. publication after next fall and become an 83-year-old newspaper, in the Harwell, 85, was publisher from 1973 to 1981 — online-only beginning in spring 2016. collective opinion of this board, becoming the first person to hold the title of publisher in LaForge said the student fundamentally inhibits First the corporate era. government supports that decision. Amendment rights of everyone Harwell left the Democrat in July 1981 to move to Some critics have claimed LaForge is associated with your fine institution,” Miami as Knight-Ridder’s vice president of operations for shuttering the newspaper because of association directors wrote in an April small and mid-sized newspapers. He retired in 1995 and unflattering coverage, but he said the 13 letter. moved to Port Orange in northeast Florida. “Gus was a terrific newspaper guy. He knew his business, knew his community and knew what he wanted Harwell to accomplish,” said Mike Pate, a former Democrat FOR SALE publisher (1997-2005). “He came across as hard-nosed and crusty. But he had a heart as big as all outdoors.” The Gazebo Gazette Harwell was a native of Tupelo and began his journalism career as business Small, community weekly in Pass Christian, MS manager and reporter for his high school newspaper. He graduated from the University of Missouri’s top-ranked school of journalism and spent seven Great support from businesses and residents. years working for newspapers in his native Mississippi before Knight-Ridder hired him in 1962. He spent several years as publisher of Knight-Ridder’s Periodical Mailing Permit • Publish legals • MPA member Boca Raton News before coming to Tallahassee. Harwell and his wife, Mary Ann, were married 62 years before her death in An opportunity to live life at a coastal pace. February 2014. They had a son, who died during the 1970s, and one daughter, Suzanne. Contact: Jace R. Ponder, Publisher A memorial service was held March 21 in Port Orange. [email protected] • 228.332.0027 Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 7 Legislative Recap Public notices A bill that would have allowed all “political subdivisions” in Mississippi to advertise their public notices on websites rather than local newspapers died quickly this session. SB 2271 was filed by Sen. Billy Hudson (R-Hattiesburg). It was referred to Senate Judiciary A Committee but failed to emerge. “This was the first year in several where we faced an omnibus bill that would have affected all public notice laws,” said MPA Executive Director Layne Bruce. “It’s important for members to realize, however, that these types of bills will be more numerous in the future as local governments eye public notice expense lines as a method to achieve budget cuts.” Bruce said protection of public notice in newspapers continues to be a chief aim of the Government Affairs Committee and the Association at Photo by Ji Hoon Heo large. Overby presented Legacy Award Charles Overby, former editor of The Clarion-Ledger when it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 1983, was honored at an April 18 banquet with the Legacy Award presented by the Ole Miss Women’s Council for Philanthropy. Pictured with Overby Execution secrecy (left) at the event is University of Mississippi Chancellor Dr. Dan Jones. A House bill that would have made certain information surrounding state executions secret and allow lawsuits EDITORIAL against anyone who discloses details eventually died in the Senate. HB 1305 was a similar bill to State must give public access to information others filed around the country this Mississippi boasts plenty of up to $3 a page, plus fees as high as past calendar year. year to limit public disclosure of sunshine, but not when it comes to $60 an hour. Another refused to make Department officials said it would certain details related to executions. public bodies. her copies, requiring her to come by take them an average of 45 minutes to “The problem is the identities of Any public body can meet in in person (which would obviously prepare a report of about 10 pages for the execution team are being sought secret for such excuses as personnel, require a 21-hour drive). The state each of the district’s 438 centers and out,” Rep. Andy Gipson (R-Braxton) litigation, land deals, bringing in an Ethics Commission bizarrely upheld would cost $40 an hour — a minimum told lawmakers in February. industry, investigative proceedings, this clerk’s actions as OK. price tag of $8,627. The bill was opposed by open preparation of tests or extraordinary In its public records manual, the Hechinger filed a complaint with government advocates, including emergencies. commission suggests public bodies the Ethics Commission, saying the MPA. In practice, some bodies say they’re charge no more 15 cents a page. cost should be lower. A similar bill also died in the behind closed doors to talk about Last year, The Hechinger Report The commission reduced the cost Virginia legislature this session. “personnel” when, in reality, they asked the state Department of Health to $3,743. Hechinger has decided to discuss that and other business that for copies of all inspection reports pay. Definition of ‘meeting’ should be public. and complaint investigations for The Health Department can A bill filed at the behest of certain Mississippi’s public records law Mississippi’s 1,757 state-licensed child perform a huge service if it follows the government bodies and would have bars charging more than “the actual care programs over the past calendar lead of 20 or more states and makes redefined what constitutes a public cost of searching, reviewing and-or year in hopes of putting them all these child care records available meeting failed to emerge from the duplicating and, if applicable, mailing online so parents could learn more online. At least one study shows that Senate Committee on Accountability copies of public records.” Despite about programs before enrolling their when this information is made public, and Transparency. this requirement, some try to charge children. the quality of these child care centers It was speculated by open exorbitant fees, and many charge fees Health Department officials replied improve. government advocates that the bill beyond cost. they would have to conceal names and Parents make few more important was filed by Sen. Lydia Chassaniol Jennifer Fitzgerald, a Rhode Island Social Security numbers of children decisions than that of child care (R-Winona) after two Ethics attorney researching death row cases, at a cost, plus making copies of the services, which cost an average of Commission rulings in 2014 found has requested court records and records, of $26,527. $4,312 for a 4-year-old child. How both the Lauderdale County Board invoices from courthouses across Not wanting to pay that much, great it would be if parents could be of Supervisors and the Columbus Mississippi. Hechinger reduced its request informed about these services before City Council in violation of the Open One clerk initially asked her to to include only the most recent leaving their children. Meetings Act. pay $3,002 for what wound up being investigations from one of the nine A similar companion bill also failed 24 pages of copies. Some demanded districts and the complaints from the The Clarion-Ledger, April 4, 2015 to emerge from committee. 8 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 FOUNDATION Winter roast earns $30K for grants, internships One of Mississippi’s most respected statesmen was honored at a Celebrity Roast held by the state’s newspaper press corps to raise money for journalism education. Former Gov. William Winter was roasted during the annual benefit for the Mississippi Press Association Education Foundation. The event raised over $30,000 for the internship, scholarship and grant programs of MPAEF. Winter, 91, served as the state’s chief executive from 1980-1983. A native of Grenada County, he served in a number of elected capacities throughout his career. Roasters included his former Chief of Staff Andy Mullins, former Clarion- Ledger executive editor Charles Overby, Tougaloo College President Dr. Beverly Hogan and longtime journalist and educator David Hampton. Clarion-Ledger editorial cartoonist Marshall Ramsey served as roastmaster for the event. “When they called and asked me to roast Gov. Winter, I said there was no way I could do it. I respect him too much,” said Mullins. “But when they explained it was more like a ‘toast,’ I accepted.” That didn’t except Winter from numerous jokes about his advancing years and multiple failed election campaigns he ran throughout the 1960s and 70s. All panelists agreed, however, Winter was a champion of the average citizen and the children of Mississippi, having pushed through Photos by Anthony Warren/The Northside Sun the historic Education Reform Act of CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Former Gov. William Winter (left) turns 1982. the tables on his roasters, including Roastmaster Marshall “When I found out about this event, Ramsey of The Clarion-Ledger; MPA Education Foundation I called the press association and told Chairman Jim Prince, president of Prince Newspapers, presents them to tell the chef I want my roast the S. Gale Denley Memorial Journalism Award to Gov. Winter; ‘well done,’” Winter joked. “But I am former Clarion-Ledger editorial director and MPA board mem- relieved I got off this easy. And my ber David Hampton serenades the crowd and the honoree; Dr. roast has, indeed, been well done.” Beverly Hogan, president of Tougaloo College, delivers heartfelt BlueCross BlueShield of remarks about her good friend and mentor. Mississippi served as Diamond Sponsor for the event. Gold sponsors included AT&T, C Spire, Community Bank and the Mississippi Economic Council. Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 9 MID-WINTER CONFERENCE Deer Creek Pilot associate editor wins Ad of the Year

Natalie Perkins is pre- The associate editor of the sented the Advertise- Deer Creek Pilot in Rolling Fork ment of the Year Award picked up the top prize at MPA’s by Better Newspaper annual Better Newspaepr Contest Contest show co-host Advertising Division Jan. 31. Marshall Ramsey (left) Natalie Perkins was singled out of TheClarion-Ledger as the winner of the Advertisement and MPA President Joel of the Year for an ad for Sharkey- McNeece of The Calhoun Issaquena Community Hospital. The County Journal in Bruce. award came with a cash prize of $500. Newspapers in Natchez, Greenwood, Grenada, Magee and Clarksdale were also feted for Advertising Excellence in the 2014 contest. The awards were handed out by the Mississippi Press Association at the conclusion of its Mid-Winter Conference at the Hilton Jackson. Honored for Advertising Excellence, also known as the “Best in Show” category for newspapers overall, were The Clarksdale Press Register, Magee Courier, GrenadaStar, The Greenwood Commonwealth and The Natchez Democrat. The Clarksdale, Magee and Greenwood papers are owned by Jackson-based Emmerich Newspapers. Natchez is owned by Tuscaloosa-based Boone Newspapers, Inc., while the GrenadaStar is owned by Lee Newspapers of Grenada. Honored for distinction in the Silver Dollar Award category, which recognizes unique ideas in promotion, marketing and revenue generation were The Oxford Eagle and The Columbian-Progress, winners in the daily and weekly divisions, respectively. Awards for editorial excellence will be handed out this summer at the 2015 Joint LPA-MPA Convention in New Orleans June 20.

Above: Clarion-Ledger President and Publisher Jason Taylor speaks to attendees about plans to improve the performance and content of the Jackson daily.

Left: Magee Courier Publisher Pat Brown (left), host of the annual Silver Dollar Break- fast Idea Exchange, presents a check to the winner of the cash drawing, fellow MPA Director Don Norman, publisher of the Starkville Daily News. 10 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 THE QUILL The week the music – and a newspaper – died “Almost cut my hair. It happened away from where I now sit. That’s not wink and a nod, now) playing fast and just the other day.”—Quoted going to be possible at Delta State loose with the truth. material by David Crosby University, because last week, after The marginal ($10,000 max) cost 81 years, the student newspaper at of the paper’s publication could ROLLING FORK Ray that institution of higher learning have been easily offset by its own nce a week for 38 years, right was summarily executed. Its crime advertising sales and through a grant, at 60 percent of my life, I have Mosby was having printed something the offered specifically for that purpose, Osat, as now, in front of some administration didn’t like, but that, we by MPA’s Education Foundation, but sort of device upon which one might are told, is not cause-and-effect, but ignored. type, in order to craft an opinion rather, merely coincidence. The professional journalists in and column. out of this state are not the losers, In 1977, it was a manual But he didn’t and I got better and “But I’m not giving in an inch to here; no “media egos” are bruised Remington typewriter and this the Different Drummer got better and fear, cause I promised myself this here. The losers here are the students, Sunday afternoon it is a MacIntosh at some point down the line other year.” present and future of DSU, denied the computer but for all those times people who know such things started So just that the record of what established value of the opinion and during all those years, the opinion saying “hey, you know, this is kinda happened last week is clear: The information exchanges available only column of whatever ilk—light, good,” and started giving me column president of Delta State and the through a free and vibrant on-campus serious, good, bad or somewhere in writing awards and using some college board of appointed political press. between—was to be published with seriously flattering adjectives about cronies, just gave the collective finger And the loser is my unknown kid the in retrospect appropriate name the worth of my opinions and the to the school’s student body, the who will never see his first column in I gave it when it began—“Different manner in which they were expressed. Society of Professional Journalists print and have somebody like it and Drummer.” and the Mississippi Press Association tell him, and maybe even inspire him That column title, as many of “It’s getting’ kinda long, I could’a (MPA) as they all sought to stop the to keep writing. you know, was taken from a line said it was in my way. But I didn’t, abolition of DSU’s really good student “I feel like I owe it to someone.” penned by the American poet and and I wonder why, feel like letting newspaper. thinker Henry David Thoreau: “If my freak flag fly.” This, they claim, was done for Ray Mosby is editor and publisher of The Deer a man does not keep pace with his And all of this I say not as nostalgia fiscal reasons, and that is (with a Creek Pilot in Rolling Fork. companions, perhaps it is because he nor any self-promotion, but rather hears a different drummer. Let him with a profound sense of sadness step to the music he hears, however because there is some other kid, measured or far away.” some other college-aged boy or girl I And as I look back on the body don’t yet know, who is now going to of that work, lo these many years, I be denied the chance to do the same. can honestly say that the column was Some kid right up the road. Some kid certainly named a whole lot better just an hour away from where I now than it was written for a while, there. sit. Some of those early ones were, well, Because you see, the very first awful. column, long before the first Different It is testament to his patience Drummer, the very first column I and maybe a little vision that my wrote was for a student newspaper, editor, the great Joe Ellis, did not a college student newspaper. And simply spike the things, banish me somebody liked it. An opinion of mine from his building and suggest I take was in print and somebody liked it up another line of employment that and writing columns was, from that involved butchering meat, rather than moment forward, in my blood. the English language. But that is not going to be possible anymore right up the road, an hour

Kamen Group Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 11 POSTAL Standard Mail Carrier-Route prices drop in second filing ewspaper mailers still face to remind mailers of either change, decade ago.) uncertainty with 2015 postal effective January 2015 in conjunction Reductions in USPS staffing Nrates, as the Postal Regulatory with more planned plant closures. created two problems. It lacked Commission has now twice kicked They refused PRC advice to re-justify support within USPS headquarters. back the U.S. Postal Service request Max the 2015 closings and revisit service Staff reductions in post offices for new rates to go into effect April Heath standards. have resulted in fewer “Delivery 26. Because the Postal Service has to The only good news so far is that Unit” supervisors, or small-office provide 45 days’ notice before new the massive operational changes put postmasters, checking the system in rates occur, it would have needed in place for First-Class mail have so their office computers to see whether final rates by March 12. But on March disrupted the system that any plant they actually had complaints on file. 18, the PRC indicated it still wasn’t closures have been postponed to April Publishers reported fewer answers to happy with the proposal for either or beyond. their watches. Periodicals or Standard Mail. USPS re-filed parts Hardcopy publication watches, PS So the following is useful as a Form 3721, are no longer available, guide for the rates that may be ahead, of its 2015 price case ePubWatch gone either. But they were always a waste Newspapers using the electronic amidst the PRC’s criticisms of USPS after certain sections of time as the answer (if any) was Publication watch, or “ePubWatch,” data. But final rates will not be known long in coming and just verified what of it were remanded may have noticed that the service is until the PRC is happy, unless USPS the publisher already knew. The paper (rejected and sent no longer offered. Another system decides to gamble on implementing was indeed late. No diagnostic help with the acronym “ADVANCE” used new prices without the PRC blessing. back for correction) was received. by Standard Mail customers was also That has happened in postal history, by the PRC. There discontinued November 2014. but usually ends up in the courts. Copyright © 2014. Max Heath, National were two notable Although ending the two tracking Here is what has gone on so far. Newspaper Association postal chair, is a programs was blamed on the USPS The Postal Service re-filed parts changes affecting postal consultant for Athlon Media Group, cyber intrusion that same month, the publisher of Athlon Sports magazine, of its 2015 price case after certain newspapers. truth, at least for Periodicals mailers, Parade, American Profile, Relish, Dash, sections of it were remanded (rejected may lie elsewhere. (ePubWatch and Spry newspaper supplements, and and sent back for correction) by the was championed by a task force of Landmark Community Newspapers LLC. PRC. There were two notable changes The complexity of this rate filing mailers, including NNA, more than a E-mail [email protected]. affecting newspapers. centers primarily on new incentives Most notable was the changing being granted for Flats Sequencing of Standard Mail Carrier Route Flats System mail, even though the prices from slight increases (1-2 machines are in high-demographic, percent range) in the original filing metro areas that include only 30 to decreases (1-3 percent range, percent of the flats volume in the with one price, High-Density Plus country. (The term “Flats” includes minimum price, down 11.4 percent) newspapers, magazines and large in the second filing. This price is for envelopes). Newspapers have been 300 or more walk-sequences pieces mostly exempted from running on the per route. The changes occurred machines because they don’t run well. for several reasons, including PRC’s But because USPS has not—to order to make presort discounts equal date—adequately explained to the between for-profit and nonprofit rates. PRC what the old prices would If these numbers stick, newspapers have been for the mail that will get with shoppers would enjoy lower the new discounts, the PRC says costs. The changes are to Part F of the it cannot calculate how much the 3602-R. increase would be for the new FSS Periodicals rates suffer from similar mail. The dispute between the two uncertainty, which is complicated bodies, however, is primarily based by the fact that in recalculating the on incomplete calculations in the rates, USPS wound up with a smaller USPS filing and not in principled increase than the law would have disagreements about rate policy. So allowed. Because Periodicals are once the commission is satisfied with thought to be “under water” or failing the math, the increases are likely to to cover costs, USPS is required to be approved. explain any rate that does not hit the price cap ceiling. But to date, it had not. Service stanrards The Postal Service not only ended In the second filing, there was one First-Class overnight service within change in the Periodicals pricing from the SCF (Sectional Center Facility) that originally proposed. Advertising of entry, but the Periodicals service pound prices (Part B, 3541) were standard within the SCF was changed decreased less than in the original from 2-4 days to 3-4 days. This proposal, but nothing else. Bundle obscure shift was in a 2011 Federal charges would still be increasing Register filing, but USPS chose not rather sharply. 12 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 AD LIBS Understanding transactional to relational sales was talking to Nick, a long-time no connection. That often leads to 5. Ad campaigns are relational. ad manager, about the nature churn – advertisers who jump ship if Properly executed, an ad campaign I of selling. “I agree with the their ads don’t work right away. requires consistent contact theory that there are two types, 2. Good relationships can lead between sales person and client. transactional and relational,” he said. John to more transactions. A smart sales From planning to execution to “As consumers, we have become Foust person looks beyond the immediate periodic tweaks, there are plenty increasingly transactional. We go to gratification of today’s sale. He or of opportunities to build strong the store, pick out a product, take she works to build rapport and turn relationships. it to the register, pay for it and take that transactional advertiser into a 6. Don’t forget your clients’ it home – even if the clerk at the marketing partner. relationships with consumers. On register doesn’t bother to say ‘hello.’ 3. Leadership is relational. In a broader scale, strong ad campaigns Or we shop online, find something of based on single buying experiences. many organizations, a sales person create relationships between interest, compare prices, click ‘buy’ “It starts with rapport,” Nick said. who consistently has good numbers advertisers and their audiences. and wait for delivery.” “I encourage our sales team to find is likely to be promoted to sales Think of the number of times you Nick explained that organizations common ground and build from management. If his or her company have been drawn to certain stores that rely on sales – including there. Along the way, clients learn has a transactional sales culture, or brand names because you felt newspapers – measure success in that our folks have some marketing the new manager will be poorly connected to them. That emotional terms of transactions. How many ads savvy. That gives us credibility and prepared for a management position. attachment is a major factor in brand are in the latest edition? How much makes selling a lot easier.” The duties of leading a team are identity. revenue will those ads produce? To expand on Nick’s observations: relational, not transactional. And that kind of campaign “It’s tempting to see all sales 1. Individual transactions 4. Individual ad sales are success can lead to – surprise! – as transactional,” Nick said, “but don’t necessarily lead to good transactional. Think of a vending more advertising dollars for your that would be a huge mistake. The relationships. machine. Insert money into the coin newspaper. challenge is to be relational in a When sales people treat their slot and get an ad. It’s difficult to transactional world. That’s why advertising product as a commodity, go any further than that, when sales Copyright © 2014 by John Foust. All rights customer loyalty, which is long term, they encourage prospects and people present themselves – and are reserved. E-mail John Foust for information customers to see them as anonymous about his training videos for ad departments: is more valuable than customer seen as – order takers who sell one [email protected]. satisfaction, which is sometimes people at the cash register. There’s ad at a time. Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 13 THE BUSINESS OF NEWS Why strengthening Freedom of Information Act is vital resident Obama has routinely journalists’ diligent research, none move these bills forward in the new promised greater transparency of this would have been brought to Congress. The Senate Judiciary Pwithin the federal government. public attention. Our armed forces Committee unanimously approved Now, Congress is making strides and firefighters may have been its FOIA reform bill, S. 337, which towards achieving this critical goal. Carolyn directly harmed as a result. is sponsored by Senators John The House of Representatives Little The Freedom of Information Act Cornyn, Patrick Leahy, and Judiciary and Senate are currently considering was enacted in 1966. It remains Committee Chairman Charles nearly identical bills to strengthen the critical for creating and preserving an Grassley. The House bill (H.R. 653), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), open and accountable government. which is sponsored by Representatives which provides the general public, However, it must be updated to keep Darrell Issa and Elijah Cummings, including journalists, with access to was reported out of committee last The legislation would require up with changing technology and federal government records. week. We applaud the bills’ sponsors agencies to post frequently requested a persistent mindset within federal This legislation has received broad and the congressional leadership for information online. This will give agencies that information belongs support across media organizations, turning their attention to this good citizens and journalists more timely to the government not the general including the Sunshine in Government government legislation. We hope access to key information and a public. Initiative, a coalition of which the that this momentum bodes well for deeper understanding of what the Congress came very close to Newspaper Association of America is bipartisan, bicameral action early in government is doing – or not doing. passing FOIA reform legislation a member. And here’s why: the new Congress. The Freedom of Information Act last year before the end of the The legislation would require remains a powerful, though currently 113th Congress. Now, members agencies to release documents Caroline Little is president and CEO of the inefficient, tool to obtain public in both the Senate and House are under a “presumption of openness,” Newspaper Association of America. information. Last year, several key working in a bi-partisan fashion to reaffirming the principle that stories were brought to light as a information should never be kept result of reporters’ FOIA record confidential to protect government requests. interests at the expense of the The Associated Press was able to public. Agencies would need to show that people accused of Nazi prove specific harm that could result war crimes had continued receiving from disclosures before withholding Social Security payments after leaving documents. While this policy has been our country. In another instance, a in place since 2009, the legislation reporter reviewing military ballistics would ensure future administrations tests found that the Marine Corps had honor this objective for openness. issued armored vests that failed to Citizens and journalists would protect against bullets – and 5,277 receive requested information in vests were quickly recalled, perhaps a more timely fashion and would saving lives. Likewise, records be updated on the status of their obtained through FOIA revealed that request or reason for denial. Federal some firefighter safety equipment agencies would be allowed to withhold failed to work properly when exposed Registration’s Open! information on policy deliberations to heat or moisture, rendering it “Show Me the Future of Newspapers” for only 25 years – currently, there is ineffective in crisis situations. no limit. Without these records and National Newspaper Association’s 129th Briefly Annual Convention & Trade Show, Oct. 1-3, 2015, will be at the Embassy Suites Bolivar Commercial drops Monday, Thursday editions Hotel in St. Charles, MO, just eight miles The Bolivar Commercial in Cleveland has dropped two publication days from the St. Louis Airport (STL). per week, Monday and Thursday, to become a tri-weekly. The changes took effect in April and were announced by publisher Diane The room rate is $139 plus tax per night, Makamson. and the hotel is located adjacent to the It is the fourth in-state to cut its print cycle to less frequently than daily in St. Charles Convention Center, where all the the last decade. Other former daily papers now issued twice or three times a week include The Clarksdale Press Register, the Desoto Times-Tribune in meetings will take place. Hernando, GrenadaStar and Mississippi Press in Pascagoula. For more info, visit

Leland publisher chairing MEC leadership program http://nnaweb.org/convention The publisher of The Leland Progress is chairing this year’s class of Leadership Mississippi sponsored by the Mississippi Economic Council. Stephanie Patton, a 2014 graduate of the Leadership Mississippi program, is chairing the program for 2015. Before purchasing the newspaper in 2011, she had a career in marketing and advertising in the national magazine publishing field for over 20 years. Her tenure includes lifestyle titles as Southern Living, Progressive Farmer, Cooking Light, Southern Accents, and Coast Living. www.HistoricStCharles.com 14 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 MARKETPLACE Newspaper owner? What’s your exit strategy? ithin the aging US detailed profit & loss statements and your car dashboard). And buyers population is a larger balance sheets for the past three have begun placing higher value on Wthan usual group of aging years and as far into the present operations that have the makings self-employed business people year as reasonable. Get your taxes of a well-rounded digital strategy approaching retirement and the Lewis in order and your filings up to date. in place. If the average visitor to sale of their business. This group Floyd Maintain detailed advertiser and your site is spending less than 3 includes many smaller publishers subscription lists, newsstand sales. minutes per visit, they’re scanning counting on that sale as part of 4) If a key member of your not reading. And it is time for a re- their retirement. The expectations staff has left, replace them. set. If your ads are static and there of many publishers are based on a Especially on the advertising sales is no merchandising within your multiple of the publication’s annual side. There’s no sympathy from digital pages, there’s a really good revenues. In today’s market, unless buyers if your sales are down chance your advertisers are not the publication has extraordinary because you are under-staffed. getting much, if any, bang for their cash flow, that multiple to revenue In today’s market, Positive revenue trends are very buck. Yes, you may very well need paid will be between 50% and 100%. buyers are typically important. Don’t retire before you to bring in outside talent to create The weighting of the multiple is tied sell, run your business as if it were and implement a strategy that vaults to several factors including revenue paying 3.5-5.5 times “Not for Sale”. Continue to promote you into the digital age. Money well trends, household penetration in the adjusted cash flow your business, actively pursue new spent. market, print competition, general (available cash flow advertising accounts and subscribers. 9) Get your receivables and health of the economy in the markets Keep your circulation audits up payables in order. And clean up any served, the stage in development of a after all expenses to date. Buyers are looking for legal issues. You can’t deliver title digital strategy as well as the growth including owner predictability and avenues for growth, to your property unless liens can be potential. not a static or declining business. satisfied at closing, there is a plan More importantly, today’s buyers compensation, with 5) Implement those cost- in place to pay off that long past today place much heavier weight on add backs for any cutting moves now. If there are due printing bill, and any litigation the newspaper’s cash flow generation. interest, amortization, some logical steps you can take to is behind you. Want to guarantee a In today’s market, buyers are typically bolster your bottom line, without major price reduction? Have a large paying 3.5X-5.5X adjusted cash flow depreciation, expenses hurting the quality of your pub percentage of your receivables over (available cash flow after all expenses that would not accrue or your household penetration, 90 days. including owner compensation, to a buyer, and owner implement them. These steps could 10) Understand the market with add backs for any interest, include re-bidding your printing, value of your publication. Take amortization, depreciation, expenses perks). eliminating your in-house printing all your emotion out of the valuation that would not accrue to a buyer, operation if it is no longer-cost by having an objective third party (an and owner perks). Weighting is tied effective, cutting circulation to experienced newspaper broker like the same factors mentioned above, concerns and other special interests). areas where you are not generating W.B. Grimes & Company) assess the with cash flow trends taking center Sellers need to ask questions such as: significant advertising support, re-sale value of your publication. stage. In the sale of a newspaper To whom do I want to sell/transfer further automating your operations. 11) Good tax planning is also to a strategic buyer, operating and the business (owner-operator, It may also mean partially re-vamping essential to successful sale. sales synergies may kick into place, strategic buyer/competitor, financial your staff Consult with your accountant, driving cash flow upward. To a investor)? How long do I want to 6) Be competitive. Consider financial planner and attorney strategic buyer, a higher multiple paid work/be involved? Do I want to bolstering your household to explore the optimum way at closing may translate into a much maintain some upside/risk? Are there penetration to a level advertisers to potentially structure your more conservative multiple once employees or others whom I want to will embrace while keeping your transaction. But keep in mind, those synergies kick into place. It is protect/reward? competition at bay. Mine your data these advisors will have little to any always important to remember, that 2) And Determine The Right (assuming you have collected it- knowledge of newspaper operations a newspaper will not typically sell for Time To Sell. Value is optimized never too late) and work with your or comparable transaction data. a price beyond what the debt service when a sale is proactive rather advertisers to develop digital and 12) Use A Broker! Selling will require. And a bank is certainly than reactive. A three to five-year mobile marketing campaigns that a publication requires an ever- not going to finance a transaction timeframe allows the company to reach your subscriber base. increasing level of sophistication where there is not enough cash, day demonstrate consistent growth that 7) Merchandise within your and a great deal of your time. Most one, to cover the debt service. will optimize its appeal to buyers. pages. Are there key advertising publishers have neither, nor do There are several steps publishers Beyond financials, this timeframe categories you can secure by adding they have access to established can take to potentially increase the enables the company to demonstrate content within your pages (print & relationships with the broad range of value of their publication in a sale. long-term relationships with digital) or via special sections that publishing and financial buyers that Putting these into action over a 3-5 customers and vendors. It also will draw readers to their product an experienced broker will have. You year period should set the stage for a provides sufficient time to ensure and services. should choose a broker as part of smooth and rewarding transaction. that an effective support team is 8) Move Beyond the pdf. You your exit strategy planning team (3 1) Specify Goals And in place long before a potential need a digital strategy. Although years before you are ready to list). Objectives. Achieving optimal value transaction, allaying buyer concerns you may be trading print dollars for begins by clearly articulating the that the business value might be too digital dimes right now, the bottom Lewis Floyd is Senior Associate with W.B. seller’s goals and objectives. These dependent on the entrepreneur. line is your readers, ages 18-40, Grimes & Company, with responsibility will be both financial (liquidity, sale 3) Have All Records Ready have fully embraced and now rely on for the Southern states. Established in price, taxation/estate planning) and much of their news and actionable 1959, Grimes has represented publishers Before You Go To Market. in the sale and acquisition of over 1,500 non-financial (succession, legacy and Automate your accounting systems information to be received digitally media properties. His email address is reputation, employee and stakeholder and make sure you can provide (That’s tablets, phones, lap tops, [email protected]. Spring 2015 >> Fourth Estate >> 15 LAW BYTES Right to be forgotten in world where everyone knows your name “[It may not be true,] but it’s pages in question so that the notice 840 articles about the legal notice, accurate.” – Megan Carter in no longer appeared on the paper’s Costeja, and his victory appeared on Absence of Malice web site; and second, that Google the internet. Spain or Google Inc. be compelled to The amount of information that he MPA Hot Line occasionally John remove the personal data so that it no is available on the internet is in part gets a call from a member paper Henegan longer appeared in search results for directly attributable to the immunity Tabout a request that the paper Costeja. provided by Section 230 of the delete an old article about an arrest In May of 2014, the European Federal Communications Decency Act or an indictment that is available Union Court of Justice ruled for of 1996 to internet service providers on the paper’s web site or shows Costeja. The EUCJ ruled: (a) the and the strict construction that the up in response to a search engine EU’s 1995 Data Protection Directive, federal courts have applied to Section request such a Google or Yahoo. be ruled unconstitutional under the which applies to controllers of public 230. As a result, ISPs are essentially Sometimes the explanation why the First Amendment which prohibits data, does not apply to the paper’s treated as distributors rather than article should be deleted is based on a compelled speech. These principles web site but it does apply to search re-publishers of the information misunderstanding about the criminal are so ingrained in our Nation’s engines such as Google Spain that that they make available, and ISPs process and the differences between jurisprudence that a recent decision promote the selling of advertising are not liable for the content of the an arrest and an indictment and the of the European Union Court of space even though the company’s information on their sites. One of difference between an indictment Justice (“EUCJ”) establishing the data processing server is in the the paradoxes arising from the ever be nolle processed or dismissed. so-called “right to be forgotten” United States; and (b) individuals increasing amount of information Occasionally the arrest charges under European law has sent media have - under certain conditions - the that is available on the internet is have been dropped or the grand companies and search engines right to be forgotten and compel while virtually everyone appears to jury refused to return an indictment, located in the United States whose search engines to remove links with enjoy reading about other people, and regardless of whether this works are available overseas roiling. personal information about them they don’t share the same view about information has been reported, the In 2010 Mario Costeja González, without regard to the economic what the public should know about subject of the original story doesn’t a Spanish citizen, filed a complaint costs to the search engine in not themselves. The immunity that the want the information available to the with the Spanish Data Protection being required to pull down the 1996 FCDA provides to ISPs is not public any longer. Agency against his local Spanish data at issue. The EUCJ held that its available to newspapers and certain As long as the information in newspaper, Google Spain, and ruling applies whenever the subject segments of their web sites. As a the original story was substantially Google Inc., contending that his information is inadequate, irrelevant result of the nascent ill-defined “right true or was based on an official right to privacy was being infringed or no longer relevant, or excessive to be forgotten” and its potential public record such as a news release due to a 1998 legal notice that his in relation to the purposes for the application to certain privacy torts, from the state, county, or local law home was being foreclosed. The data was processed and in the light however misguided and inappropriate enforcement office involved the newspaper had published the 36-word of the time that has elapsed since the that may be, newspapers and other original story is non-actionable. legal notice in Spanish, and it was info was first published. The EUCJ publishers can anticipate that the There is no state statute or common available on the paper’s web site and concluded by noting that the right to number of requisites that they will law principle that requires the Google’s search results for Costeja’s be forgotten is not absolute, and it receive to pull down articles from paper to delete the article from its name. Costeja contended that the must be balanced on a case-by-case their websites will only increase. web site, and a state statute that foreclosure proceedings had been basis against the rights of freedom compelled the paper to publish fully resolved for several years and of expression and of the media. John C. Henegan is a member of Butler Snow, the information had become entirely PLLC, and counsel to the Mississippi Press a notice or article that the prior According to one paper, the day Association. Members can send general charges has been dropped etc. would irrelevant. He asked, first, that the after the EUCJ’s decision, more than questions about libel or requests for story paper be compelled to alter the review to [email protected]. NNA annual convention, trade show slated for October in Missouri >> From NNA Columbia, MO; Liz Erwin, complementary shuttle to the 150 restaurants to choose from. You Missouri Lawyer’s Media, St. St. Charles historic district. may choose a walking tour of the Mark your calendar now and Louis, MO; Tyra Johnson, St. Charles was founded historic main streets, for an overview plan to join the National Newspaper Cape Girardeau, MO; Bill by Louis Blanchette, a of life as it was in the early days of Association in St. Charles, MO, Miller Sr., Washington French-Canadian fur St. Charles. The Tourism Center Oct. 1-3, 2015, for its 129th (MO) Missourian; and trader, and originally (located at 230 S. Main St.) is staffed Annual Convention and Trade NNA President and First named Les Petite Cotes by employees and volunteers with Show. The committee endorsed Lady—John and Jo Ann (The Little Hills). Today, answers for your questions. Stroll the theme, “Show Me the Future of Edgecombe, Edgecombe old inns and buildings still along the brick-paved streets of Newspapers.” Publishing, Geneva, NE, stand, and some structures Missouri’s oldest and largest historic The planning committee, co- have been working hard date to the early 1800s when district. Explore one-of-a-kind chaired by Dane Vernon, Vernon to create a lively and interesting rock was chiseled by hand and shops, sample the local cuisine, and Publishing Inc., Eldon, MO, convention. delivered by mule. It was also the experience the sights and sounds of and Kevin Jones, The St. Louis The headquarters hotel is the first state capital of Missouri, as well the early Midwest. American, along with committee Embassy Suites in St. Charles, and as the starting point for Lewis & More details, including the agenda members Tianna Brooks, Mountain all meetings will be held in the Clark’s great expedition. and registration information can be View (MO) Standard News; Doug Convention Center that adjoins St. Charles offers first-rate found online at the NNA website: Crews, Missouri Press Association, the hotel. The hotel provides a accommodations and more than nnaweb.org. 16 >> Fourth Estate >> Spring 2015 Printed coupons still choice for most consumers >> From PR Newswire Seventy percent of consumer packaged goods coupon users still use print-based coupons such as those in free standing inserts (FSI) typically found in Sunday papers to find savings according to a study that will be presented by GfK Custom Research and News America Marketing at the Association of Coupon Professionals’ 10th annual Industry Coupon Conference April 16 in San Antonio. The new study reveals surprising statistics about consumer coupon usage including that traditional FSI coupons are redeemed at a rate eight times that of digital coupons. “While consumers continue to adopt digital savings tools, this study reaffirms the value of the traditional print FSI,” said Mark Peiser, VP, Marketing Research, News America Marketing. “When you look at the numbers, you can see that print coupon redemption rates still dominate consumer savings.” Way down in Woodville The Woodville Republican is the oldest continuously operated newspaper in Mississippi. Founded in 1824, it has been owned So, too millennial coupon users by the Lewis family since the 1880s. MPA paid a visit last week on a chilly but brilliant February afternoon. Pictured are Pub- are looking to the FSI – with 63% of lisher and Editor Andy Lewis (from left), MPA Executive Director Layne Bruce, Meek School of Journalism Dean Will Norton this age group using traditional print and MPA-MPS President Joel McNeece, publisher and editor of The Calhoun County Journal in Bruce. coupons.

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