newsONTARIO COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS ASSOCIATION’S clipsSeptember 2005 VOL. 19, NO. 9 OCNA speaks out for Bill 123 The following is the text of a presenta- tion given by OCNA Executive Director Bill Laidlaw to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills on Bill 123, the Transparency in Public Matters Act. While OCNA has long supported this Act in its many incarnations, there have been some amendments made which are cause for concern.

ood afternoon, Madam Chair, esteemed members. Thank you for finding the time to hear us today during your deliberations on Bill 123, the GTransparency in Public Matters Act. My name is Bill Laidlaw and I am the executive director of the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, or OCNA, and Eat and greet with me today is Jim Brown, Publisher of OCNA’s Executive Director Bill Laidlaw (at centre) opened up his home to his staff and guests for the Ridgetown Independent News and a an end of summer barbecue. With him are celebrity chef Murray Lloyd (at left) and Brad Haynes, Chatham-Kent Municipal Councillor. formerly of Tembec. OCNA represents 285 Community rely on their local Community Newspapers about what’s going on the better citizens Newspapers across Ontario in urban, subur- to deliver the news that effects them, a job they’ll be. They’ll make informed choices ban and rural areas with a combined first which can be made more difficult through on issues, they’ll discuss and debate with edition circulation of 4 million and a read- the abuse of in camera, or secret meetings the facts at their fingertips and when it ership of over 5 million. Seventy-three per by public boards, bodies and councils. comes down to election time they’ll cast cent of adult Ontarians read at least one Newspapers and indeed democracy only their ballots for the candidate whom they Community Newspaper each week. Our thrive in conditions where information feel best represents their views, because papers range in size from a circulation of about what governments or quasi-govern- they know what the views, values and the 185,000 for Niagara This Week to 254 for mental agencies do is freely available and true records of the candidates really are. the Hornpayne Jackfish Journal. Ontarians easily accessible. The more citizens know Continued on page 2 Study shows newspaper readers are engaged By Anne Lannan Newspaper National Network the Newspaper Association of lowed by television at 46 per Member Services Manager (NNN) discovered. This is good America (NAA). Its main func- cent and magazines and the ewspaper readers news despite the fact that an tion is to sell national advertising Internet at 45 per cent each. are the most overwhelming majority of into more than 9,000 newspapers Newspapers also rank highest engaged of any respondents said they turn to the nationwide and has offices in when respondents were asked audience for any Internet first for information, fol- New York, Chicago, San where they get the most compre- media because lowed by newspapers, according Francisco and Los Angeles. hensive source of news (46 per Nnewspapers have the most com- to an article in Mediaweek. The 2005 Media Engagement cent), followed by television at prehensive source of news and NNN is a private partnership Study shows newspapers are best 36 per cent and the Internet at 35 have credible advertising, a representing 23 newspaper com- at dealing with issues that readers per cent. recent study produced by the panies in the United States and care about (60 per cent), fol- Continued on page 9

WHAT’S INSIDE: Eighty-one and still printing PAGE 3 Pics from OCNA Golf Days PAGE 4 Mark Twain covers city hall PAGE 6 2 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 Public’s right to know key for democracy Continued from page 1 responsible and accountable drunk driving charges because meetings or going in camera, Therefore, it governments I’m normally a responsible per- but what it does do is ensure is imperative It is with respect to son? Of course that the basic that municipali- imperative that matters within not. Laws are It’s a lot principles of ties, school their jurisdic- there to protect easier to make openness and boards, hospital municipalities, tion and each the public from transparency boards, police school boards, municipality is the bad decisions difficult decisions aren’t sacri- services boards hospital boards, given powers of others and out of the ficed for the and a multitude police services and duties municipal and watchful eye of sake of mere of others are boards and a under this Act other govern- the public, but... convenience. truly open and and many other ments are not governing isn’t There is no provide the multitude of Acts,” the immune to poor question it’s a public with as others are truly Transparency decision making. about easy, it’s lot easier to much informa- open and provide in Public The safety valve about doing make difficult tion as they can. the public with Matters Act citizens have is what’s best for decisions out We recognize as much need not apply openness, the your of the watch- there are some to them as right to know community. ful eye of the instances where information as provincial law what their elect- public, but, as the public’s they can. already consid- ed officials are you know, gov- right to know is ers them respon- doing in their name. It is an erning isn’t about easy, it’s superseded by other concerns sible and accountable to the cit- informed citizenry and fair about what’s doing what’s best like personal privacy or public izens they serve. Most of the minded media that makes for your community, your safety, but is important that time in most Municipal govern- province and your nation. We these exceptions remain just municipalities ments responsi- do feel that flexibility is needed, that, exceptions and that they they’re right, It is an ble and account- but it is the flexibility to accom- are as narrowly construed as but Madam informed able, not provin- modate public participation in possible. Chair, laws are citizenry and a cial statute. the workings of the public bod- Over the course of these not made for fair minded AMCTO further ies designated under this act. hearings you have heard or will the individuals opposes the Another concern that has hear from several groups seek- or groups who media that inclusion of been raised is the idea that if ing to limit the scope of this bill know some- makes municipal Municipalities in meetings are public and if min- and we urge you to weigh their thing is inher- governments Bill 123 as they utes have to be recorded, which arguments carefully against the ently wrong, responsible and say that councils edited versions will be released public good of open govern- but for those accountable, not need flexibility to the public, of in camera ses- ment. In previous public state- who either to deal with local sions, that a greater possibility ments the Association of don’t know or provincial issues in a man- exists for legitimately private Municipal Managers, Clerks don’t care. But stature. ner that is appro- information to be inadvertently and Treasurers of Ontario has even normally priate to local made public. This issue can be argued that since under Section responsible and accountable conditions and circumstances. easily solved through educating 2 of the Municipal Act of 2001, people can cross the line. If I How will this Act stop them staffs of the included bodies on which says in part have too much to drink at a from doing that? It doesn’t pre- what can be released and what “Municipalities are created by party and try to drive home, vent municipalities from hold- can’t. the Province of Ontario to be should I be given a free pass on ing special meetings, telephone Continued on page 10 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 3 Retirement can wait as printer has more pressing duties The oldest pressman in Canada is still printing the Tavistock Gazette after 36 years By Bill Gladding However, the Gladding family Tavistock Gazette Tavistock Gazette name is in its 36th year of own- s a young man, pressman Bob ership, and Bob, who marked his Bob Gladding Gladding, who at 81st birthday on September 25, wasn’t a bit inter- 81 may be the is now completing 30 years at ested in running a oldest working the press, making him the oldest printing press for pressman in working pressman in Canada. Aa living; but since taking over his Canada, poses Bob and Doris have continued own weekly newspaper in the proudly with his to be instrumental in the publica- village of Tavistock in 1969, the equipment. tion of The Gazette since selling survival of the company depend- the business to their son and ed on it. daughter-in-law, Bill and Sheri, Today, at age 81, after enjoying in March of 1988. a brief retirement from printing Back in 1969, Bob says, The duties in the early 1990s, Bob Gazette was printed in the letter- continues his weekly press run to press process with hot metal type churn out one of the smallest used for the body of stories and weekly newspapers in Ontario handset letters for headlines and for his son and daughter-in-law. advertising. It was rare for a “If I stop and think about it, photograph to be published, but sometimes I can’t remember occasionally he or Doris would what to do next,” Bob says. ground school in Ottawa. and in 1966 was named plant drive to Stratford where a print- Printing the paper “just comes After the war, he returned to manager after the company built ing plate was made at the naturally.” work at the Beacon Herald. He a new facility at 505 Douro Beacon Herald using a Bob began his career as a print- married Doris Taylor in October, Street. In March of 1969, he Klischograph machine. A er’s apprentice at the Stratford 1949. The couple moved to joined the staff at the Tavistock Heidelberg cylinder, flat-bed Beacon Herald when he was 18 Wingham in April of 1950 Gazette to learn the business and press was used until September years old. He swept floors and where Bob was employed with worked with K. Hartford Brown of 1974 when The Gazette cleaned Linotype machines for the Wingham Advance Times. and Wilfred Strahm. decided to move into offset $10 a week. Later, he joined When it was sold to the Wenger Bob and his wife, Doris, pur- printing. They purchased a Solna Spitzer and Mills Advertising Bros., Bob didn’t want to learn chased the Tavistock Gazette 24, stream-fed, offset printing Agency in Toronto, but decided to run a Davidson duplex press, weekly newspaper and printing press that is still in use today. the city life was not for him. He so they moved back to Stratford business on July 1, 1969 from To this day, Bob and Doris help and a buddy rode their motorcy- in May of 1952 and Bob became Brown who had operated the with the weekly publishing cles out West where Bob gained a salesman for Odbert business from 1958 to 1969 and process from printing more than experience building new homes Wholesale and Tobacco it was owned and operated by his 1,200 copies to mailing. Tuesday in Trail, British Columbia. He Products. In November of that father, George K. Brown for 29 mornings Doris sits at the press returned to Stratford and began same year, they moved to years previous (1929-1958). delivery, ready to monitor the with the Beacon Herald Press Tavistock. That makes the Brown family printed results and jogs sheets printing division under the It wasn’t until 1956 that Mr. the longest, single family owner- for the next press run. Bob can supervision of Roy Waters. He Gladding got back into the print- ship of the newspaper (40 years) be found at the press with his then answered his country’s call ing trade. He joined the staff at since its founding by J. W. Green denim apron, eagerly awaiting and entered the Air Force with International Artcrafts, Stratford in September 1895. plates made ready by his son, basic training in Montreal and Bill, for print production. 4 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 First two golf days par for the course

Despite the cold and wet weather in Clinton ing after-dinner entertainment. The rain from award for Most Honest Golfer; and posing on September 16, OCNA’s Southwestern Southwestern Ontario didn’t hit Eastern with his winning team of Bonnie McNairn Ontario Golf Day was a success as newspaper Ontario until later in the day, when the last and Beth Rivington. Bellow are some of the people converged on the Woodlands Golf group of golfers were on the 18th fairway. golfers from Morrisburg; (front row, from Course for an afternoon of recreation and net- Thanks go out to our host Sam Laurin of the left), Beth Morris, Manotick; Dick Aubry, working. Rob Million (top left) of the Morrisburg Leader for organizing this event at Cornwall; J.T. Grossmith, Alexandria; Goderich Signal-Star accepts the award for the beautiful Upper Canada Golf Course. Sam Rick Shaver, Cornwall; Sam Laurin. (back Longest Drive from OCNA Executive is shown (clockwise, from top right) present- row, from left) Beth Rivington, Bonnie Director Bill Laidlaw. Thanks to our host ing Jeane Sigurdson from the Alexandria McNairn, and Terry Laurin, all from Tom Williscraft of the Clinton News Record Glengarry News with the award for Women’s Morrisburg; Jeane Sigurdson and Kevin and to Sun Media’s Bill Dempsey for provid- Low Gross; OCNA’s Anne Lannan with the Macdonald from Alexandria. OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 5 Do you have the right cash controls in place? Reprinted from the completed or the supporting transactions are properly that they have made. newsletter Business documentation is not attached. recorded and traceable. This is Unscrupulous employees Matters with permission of Never sign cheques made out especially important if you are could withhold payments the Canadian Institute of to cash. using different accounts to from one customer and apply Chartered Accountants Ensure all cheques are segregate payroll, foreign cur- subsequent payments from he owner/manag- prenumbered and controlled. rency transactions and capital. another customer to make up er not only needs Know the sequence of num- Bank statements should be for the shortfall, a process to be familiar with bers used on preprinted continuously reviewed for called ‘lapping.’ processes that cheques and regularly ask for large or unusual deposits that Payables may be suscepti- an accounting of all cheques may indicate cash infusion Regularly review accounts Tble to errors or manipulations issued to those individuals from the redemption of payable to reduce the possibil- of funds but also needs to responsible invest- ity of payments being made to identify specific weaknesses for ments suppliers that do not exist. that need to be improved. or Functions and Duties Direct involvement through Segregate functions and review and approvals at key duties to provide control. For junctures can help reduce the instance, the person prepaying risk of losses through error or Does an the cheques to pay for payroll, misappropriation. employee have purchases or accounts payable Here are some simple pro- their hand in should not be the one who cedures an owner/manager your wallet? Be sure they signs the cheques. In a similar can put in place to make the don’t by using note, the individual who business less vulnerable. proper cash enters accounts receivable Cheques controls. the transactions, whether the sales Limit the dollar amount of pay- issue transitions or the payments cheques, transfers and bank ment of of share- received, should not be the drafts that one signing officer invoices. holder or bank one who makes up the deposit has authority to issue. For Cheques, whether issued or loans. book and makes the deposit. example, if most transactions returned from the bank, Review transfers between Have someone other than the are between $2,000 and should be locked up at all all accounts on a regular basis bookkeeper open the mail and $3,000, establish a policy times. Cheques that are ruined to ensure inter-bank transac- list all payments received. whereby cheques over $3,000 should be clearly marked tions such as charge card Internal Controls must be signed by a second void. accounts, payroll transfers or In addition to these ‘hard’ individual, preferably the Bank Accounts loans or repayments are not internal controls, ensure that owner/manager. Ensure bank accounts are diverted to cover up shortages you have ‘soft’ controls in Review all cheques issued reconciled on a regular basis. in other accounts. Carefully place such as training pro- each month to ensure you are With online access, bank rec- monitor short-term invest- grams, performance evalua- familiar with payment pat- onciliations could be complet- ments or loans that are auto- tions and established policies, terns. Question cheques to the ed as frequently as on a daily matically accessed or repaid procedures and standards of same company that squeak basis. Review and approve the based upon operating bank conduct. Establish formal under the two-signature reconciliations with a signa- balances. process for periodic reviews requirement. It may be that ture. This procedure allows For all deposits made at of the adequacy of these con- two cheques are being used to the owner/manager to keep on bank machines, ensure the trols. avoid detection of disburse- top of the company’s cash cheque number, the payee and Embezzlement starts with a ments in excess of the level of position as well as be alert to the amount are recorded in a breach of internal controls. authority. unusual items. deposit book. Attach the trans- Establishing basic and consis- Set policies that all Pay special attention to action slip to the deposit book tent controls, monitoring com- cheques to be signed must automatic withdrawals by back page to track customer pliance and paying particular have the supporting docu- maintaining a list of approved payments to specific deposits attention to potential areas of ments attached as verification debits to assist in the review and accounts receivables. vulnerability can help reduce of the amount payable. Once a of bank transactions. Receivables the risk of financial losses cheque is signed, the support- Rather than using a bank Regularly review the through error or fraud. Your ing documentation should be draft that may still be nego- accounts receivable and pay- chartered accountant can help marked “paid” to prevent tiable if lost, consider online ments received. A regular you review your internal con- duplication. Cheques should transfers. review will ensure that the trols and advise on enhance- not be signed if the amount, Regularly review all bank appropriate customers are ments for improving efficien- date and the payee are not statements to ensure that all receiving credit for payments cies and security. 6 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 Want free cool software? Read this column By Kevin Slimp Institute of Newspaper Technology t never fails. After six or so hours of Photoshop or InDesign train- ing,I the students - usually newspaper designers - start putting away their outlines and pens. Knowing the end is near, they zip up their backpacks and computer cases in preparation for the inevitable rush out the door. Then, with moments to spare, I men- tion Adobe Studio Exchange. Adobe Studio Adobe Studio Exchange allows users of Photoshop, InDesign and other Adobe Exchange is a Web site where designers can products to aquire thousands of mostly free tools and plug-ins that can add some get all kinds of free software to enhance zip to your layouts. InDesign, Photoshop and other Adobe appli- cations. an action, however, it was a group of shapes. a script from the list of those available in I can hear the backpacks and computer Eric Nanstiel’s United States Shape adds Photoshop. While the user is in InDesign, the cases unzipping. I see the pens and pads come shapes of all fifty states in the Custom Shape picture magically goes through the designated out. You see, everyone wants free stuff, espe- palette of Photoshop. I used it to modify a action in Photoshop, with all changes appear- cially free stuff that increases output and photo of some friends to the shape of New ing on the InDesign version of the photo. I makes production more fun. That’s where York. It works by creating paths in the shape tried several actions in InDesign and all Adobe Studio Exchange comes in. of states. I converted the path to a selection, worked flawlessly. Filled with actions, shapes, filters, plug- which I placed on a layer; then used PieGraph is a new InDesign script by ins, scripts and more for Adobe applications, Photoshop’s emboss layer effect to make the Mariusz Sobolewski. Like all the other scripts Adobe Studio Exchange is like hitting the image jump off the page. we’ve discussed, it is free. PieGraph assists pagination lottery. Not everything in this area Photoshop users aren’t the only ones in InDesign users in creating pie graphs. of Adobe’s Web site is free, but most of it is. store for a little fun. InDesign users will love Basically, you draw a circle on an InDesign Today, I took a few hours to try some of these the hundreds of scripts and plug-ins available page, then click on PieGraph in the Scripts free goodies for myself. Here’s what I found: to them. For instance, Calendar Maker is a palette. Next InDesign asks for the number Photo Sphere, a free Photoshop action by script designed to create a calendar instantly. pie slices, along with a percentage or numeri- Robert Anselmi, takes a picture and, through After giving a few options such as number of cal designation for each slice. Initially, I filled the magic of special effects, makes it look like months, font and page size, Calendar Maker my slices with different colours. Then, for a spherical Christmas ornament. This would goes to work. I use it to create calendars, fun, I filled each slice with a different photo. be a great tool for creating ads with mugshots which I convert to EPS files using InDesign’s In no time I had created pie graphs that would for the holiday season. export command. I can then place them in work well in infographics or as standalone Puzzle Effects, another free Photoshop other documents and resize them to my lik- illustrations. action by Panos Efstathiadis, is a lot of fun. It ing. You can get to Adobe Studio Exchange by allows the user to take any photo and turn it InDesign Photoshop Actions, by Richard working your way through Adobe’s home into a jigsaw puzzle. Users can even designate Ronnback, adds actions to InDesign’s bag of page. A more direct route is available at the number of pieces in the puzzle. I chose 30. tricks. This is really a script that loads your http://share.studio.adobe.com. I’d be interest- My favourite Photoshop download wasn’t Photoshop actions into InDesign. After select- ed in hearing from you to learn which gems ing this script, the user is prompted to choose you’ve discovered at Adobe Studio Exchange. OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 7 What if Mark Twain covered town council? By Jim government meetings?” the list of breakfast specials at lic works director a wily, savvy Stasiowski You don’t need much of an Denny’s. Commit to developing advocate for streets and bridges? Writing Coach imagination to predict that old only the most interesting and-or Write about who wins and who on’t Mark would mutter, in frustra- most significant conflict that loses. In other words, ... you tion, “Everybody talks about arises in the meeting. And to do 6. ... make the action of the hate meeting coverage, but nobody that, you must ... meeting part of your story, but does anything about it.” 2. ... prepare. Before the not your whole story. The best We go to a meeting, we lis- meeting, give yourself time to meeting stories have action that Mark Twain? D ten, we take notes, we type. We look carefully at the agenda, to is not mere words bouncing off He took all the good one-lin- cover in a technical sense, but do make some calls, to figure out meeting-room walls. The stories ers. we fulfill our obligation to what single item is going to about the city-maintained base- Here’s one of his: “Golf is a inform readers of what govern- make the best story, then do ball fields gain vigor if the good walk spoiled.” ment is doing? much of the research long before reporter has dirt on his or her Heck, that could have been I say no, and most editors and the meeting starts. That way, shoes from trudging through the mine, if only I had lived back in reporters agree with my criti- instead of shuffling into the hardscrabble infields, the stories the 1800s. I bet I would have cism. I go to a newspaper, edi- meeting room unsure of what is about changes in a school-dis- come up with that line weeks tors and reporters listen to my going to happen, you will stride trict’s policies have power when before Twain did. recommendations for meeting in confidently, you will have a readers know the thoughts of And how about, “Everybody coverage, they take notes, they lot of the story already written in students or teachers living under talks about the weather, but nod, then five minutes after I your head. Of course, you have the changes. nobody does anything about it.” walk out of the newsroom, they to ... All of which adds up to this But here’s a shocker. plug in yet another weak, diffi- 3. ... be flexible. What looks one-liner: “A story that is easy to According to a Web site, cult-to-read account of yet good on an agenda occasionally get probably isn’t very good.” www.twainquotes.com, he may another government meeting. will flop. Be willing to scrap Mark Twain, eat your heart not even have said it. That Web Yeah, our meeting stories your preparation in favour of out. site lists a couple of Twain vari- have facts, and that is the techni- something attractive that pops THE FINAL WORD: I ations on “Everybody ... but cal sense in which we cover not up unexpectedly, although ... have lost count of how many nobody ...,” but the site also only the action, but also our ... 4. ... relying on government times a city council, county questions whether Twain origi- um ... our rear ends. But people to hand you a story is commission, school board, etc., nated such a pithy observation because our stories are difficult foolhardy. Most of them do not has “readjusted its budget.” about the ineffectiveness of man. to read, we have to conclude want you to get a lively story Why is “re-” necessary there? But let’s assume he did say it. most readers don’t get the infor- from the meeting. They want “To adjust” means to change to After all, a juicy rumour from mation. calm meetings, they want to fit conditions, so the “re-” seems the 19th century is almost Twain would ridicule these look dignified and authoritative. superfluous. Obviously, if always better than a verifiable predictable excuses: “But noth- They don’t want you to see their you’re writing about a second fact from such backward times, ing happened. ... The council flaws, ... adjustment, then “readjust” is before we even had Web sites (school board, commission) 5. ... even though the best sto- technically accurate. But if and reality TV. Let’s advance members are so boring. ... It’s a ries are the behind-the-scenes you’re making the point that the Twain from the 1800s all the small town, they don’t do maneuverings. In budget hear- adjustments just keep on comin’, way up to the 21st century, and much.” ings, for instance, look at the why not a more emphatic let’s promote him from literary Today, let’s change our cov- cast of characters: Why does the expression: “... again has adjust- legend to city editor of a news- erage. Let’s do the following: public works department get an ed its budget”? paper. Your newspaper. 1. Vow to write one good increase in spending while parks Writing coach Jim Stasiowski Now let’s ask him about a story from the meeting, not one and recreation gets cut? Is the welcomes your questions or topic as vexing as the weather: weak 7-paragraph story atop a parks director a clumsy politi- comments. Call him at 410 247- “Hey Mark, what do you think dozen “In other business ...” cian who has no influence with 4600 or write to 5812 Heron of the coverage of items that have all the depth of the decision-makers? Is the pub- Drive, Baltimore, Md. 21227. 8 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 Fighting identity theft starts with businesses From the Office of the study from Carnegie-Mellon source of the issue as the way Information and Privacy University indicates nearly 90 in which corporations man- Commissioner for Ontario per cent of people can be age, protect and store the per- f someone stole your uniquely identified through sonal information of their cus- identity, they could the use of only three pieces of tomers. rack up bogus charges information: date-of-birth, “It is becoming evident on credit cards or apply gender, and postal code. that the single largest cause of for bank accounts in The problem is right in our identity theft derives from Iyour name. They could take own backyard. According to poor information management an Ipsos-Reid report released practices on the part of orga- out bank loans in your name. in February 2005, 1 in 6 nizations,” says Cavoukian. They could put their face on Canadians (17 per cent) say “Organizations that collect, your identification. They that someone they personally use and share personal infor- could run your credit rating know has been a victim of mation should bear greater into the ground. They could identity theft. And that num- responsibility for taking care Ontario’s Information and even conduct criminal activity ber is growing. with it. Preventative measures Privacy Commissioner in your name. For next to Most of the articles and must be taken to ensure that Ann Cavoukian. nothing, someone could pur- information about identity customer data is strongly pro- chase your identity and then for reapplying for loans that theft tell consumers what they tected.” net huge profits. were declined based on erro- can do to protect themselves. Take, for example the cred- Meanwhile, you, the con- neous credit information. They imply that becoming it card information that rou- sumer, would be left with That’s not counting for the more vigilant and taking suit- tinely appears on a sales unwarranted debt, ruined emotional cost of loan able precautionary steps can receipt, after making a pur- credit history, and plenty of denials, credit card applica- minimize the risk of having chase. Does the entire credit frustration. tion rejections, and debt col- your identity stolen. card number appear on the While the victims of identi- lection harassment. One of Ontario Information and receipt along with your name? ty theft are not responsible for the saddest stories is losing Privacy Commissioner Ann If so, tell the company that incurring the debts or for the the offer on one’s dream home Cavoukian does not agree. you’ll take your business else- activities conducted by their because of a declined mort- She acknowledges there where if they don’t “truncate” impostors, they are definitely gage. are some steps consumers can the number. Truncating just stuck cleaning up the mess. According to the Identity take to protect themselves, means that the credit card Restoring personal credit and Theft Resource Center, a non- and encourages them to do so. number does not appear in its your good name is a slow, profit organization based in But according to a new paper entirety - rather, only the last painstaking process, involv- California, victims spend an released by the four digits of the number are ing countless phone calls, let- average of $1,495 and 600 Commissioner, Identity Theft printed on the sales receipt, ters and time away from work. hours getting their finances Revisited, the real problem rendering it of little value to It means lost wages when time straightened out after an iden- lies not with consumers who identity thieves. So, check must be taken away from tity theft. don’t shred their financial your sales receipts regularly work to unravel the fraud. It And if you think it couldn’t documents, or share too much and bring this to the manag- means the cost of notaries and happen to you, think again. personal information with er’s attention if your name legal counsel. It incurs mail- The reality is that it doesn’t their bank or credit card com- and number appear in full. ing costs for completing fraud take much information to pil- pany. They should not. affidavits. It may involve fees fer someone’s identity. A Cavoukian identifies the Continued on page 9 Newspaper advertising seen as most credible Continued from page 1 ranked first in terms of “is my main source grown, this new study shows that newspa- And it’s not just the relationship with the of entertainment.” Internet ranked first in pers outperform other media on a variety of news that factors into this study. terms of “first place I look when I need important engagement measures.” Respondents said newspaper advertising is information.” Radio ranked first on a 1-10 Millward Brown conducted the NNN the most credible (42 per cent), followed by scale as the medium which is most “friend- Media Engagement Study in June 2005 via television at 34 per cent and magazines at ly.” a web based interview of 3,013 Adults 18+ 32 per cent. This relationship helps with Commenting on the findings, Jason E. who read 3 or more issues of the newspaper purchasing power as newspapers ranked Klein, President and CEO of Newspaper in the past 7 days. The sample was weight- the highest for the best environment for National Network LP said: “This Media ed to reflect American age proportions and product selection. Engagement Study demonstrates that news- was national in scope. The study also explored the relative papers are the engagement and empower- Results from the study are available at strengths of various media. Television ment medium. While Internet usage has www.nnnlp.com. OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 9 OCNA launches lunch & learn program By Laraine Hall October 26 - Making Education Coordinator OCNA Selling Superfluous The Art of eed training? Building Ads that Pull. Part 1: Don’t feel you Lunch Grabbing the Readers’ have the time & Attention to leave the Learn November 9 - Making office and Selling Superfluous The Art of Nspend a day (or days) away? Building Ads that Pull. Part 2: Here’s a solution - you have to Writing Copy that Sells the eat lunch, right??? Product. OCNA’s new Lunch and November 30 - Marketing Learn series will allow you to Makes Money train not just one, but all of Cost: 1 session: $55; sign your staff in ‘bites’ (literally) up for 2 sessions: $99.99or over your lunchtime. take all three for $139.99 From the comfort of your (soup and sandwich not office with only a phone (with more to come for 2006) Time), will include both audio included). Watch for more (speakerphone if there’s more deals with Sales and Web-based components and information coming soon by than one of you) and a com- Marketing and features well- will last around 45 minutes. email and on OCNA’s mem- puter, you can take advantage known Trainer/Consultant When you register, you will bers’ Intranet site. Or call of affordable, relevant sales John Young. Each session receive handouts, and dial-in Laraine 905-639-8720, ext. training. Our initial series will begin at noon (Eastern and web sign-on information. 230 or email [email protected] Protecting customer privacy makes business sense Continued from page 8 How companies manage their customer’s personal data is From the Lending Library disturbing if the growing mountain of evidence is an accurate reflection. In Deloitte’s 2005 Global Security Survey of This month’s selec- Financial Institutions, 50 per cent of Canadian respondents tion is Circulation acknowledged that they have experienced some form of infor- Reporting and the mation security breach, and 100 per cent of those experienced Circle of Credibility at least one internal breach (arising from employee errors or malicious employee activities). by Carly L. Price. The good news is that organizations are beginning to make The success of a changes. With privacy becoming a hot-button issue and newspaper depends Sarbanes-Oxley compliance driving regulatory initiatives in on maintaining the Canada, the majority of corporations in Canada (78 per cent) circular relationship indicated that they have both the commitment of management of Consumers, and the adequate funding to address these requirements. Cavoukian says it will take more than expensive technology Newspapers, to protect the data. “Companies need to develop a culture of Advertisers and one privacy. They need to make privacy, not the responsibility of element that keeps one division, department, branch or executive. It needs to that circle going is become a mindset - a way of thinking throughout the organiza- credibility. Correct circulation data is a critical tion.” The Commissioner stresses that security is not enough. She component to that credibility. This report identi- advocates developing a culture that is committed to better fies ways to avoid problems in circulation report- information management and better data storage practices, ing, how to play the circulation game, how to combined with strong data security systems. reinforce advertiser confidence and more! “The public, lawmakers, and the media need to start at the root of the problem: helping corporations realize the impor- Contact Laraine Hall at 905-639-8720 tance of better managing the data they collect to protect the ext 230 or [email protected] brand reputation and financial well-being of their company - http://members.ocna.org/listall.php?path=/var/ and to protect the consumer.” That’s who really needs protection. www3/AFS/ Best_Practices/Lending_Library 10 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 Openness, not secrecy should be the rule Continued from page 2 would suggest, owing to the fact Municipal Act does outline Newspapers do that, it’s a part Privacy concerns are impor- that some bodies meet infre- when and how a council can go of our mandate and our readers tant but to exempt certain bod- quently, would be to allow their in camera but offers no redress expect us to report faithfully the ies or to unnecessarily tighten members review and sign off on to the public or media to chal- goings on of life in their com- restrictions on meetings that the minutes without a formal lenge that decision and no con- munity. But when the in camera should be public is like trying to meeting to do so. With all the sequences for those who flout meeting privilege, and let’s eradicate West Nile by explod- wonderful technology we have that law. The Transparency in make no mistake in a free soci- ing a nuclear bomb in every at our fingertips it wouldn’t be Public Matters Act will make it ety it is a privilege, is abused pool of stand- difficult. Once all more difficult and information ing water The spirit of the corrections for the percent- The... Act will that effects the where mos- have been made age of elected lives and futures quitoes breed. this bill reflects and a final ver- and appointed make it more of citizens is It will get the the true spirit sion approved officials who, difficult for the wilfully with- job done, but that burns within for release then for whatever percentage of held for reasons at an unbear- every community the minutes reason, attempt elected and of expedience, ably high cost. journalist, the should be made to do business appointed or to avoid We are con- public. I would behind a embarrassment cerned with desire to know suggest a time smokescreen officials who... then the idea that a what’s going on limit of five to of artificial pri- attempt to do Community large number and the desire to 10 business vacy concerns business behind a Newspapers of public bod- share that days, or the next and to keep the smokescreen of can’t do their ies will be scheduled meet- public from job. And if we removed information with ing, whichever knowing about artificial privacy can’t do our job under a pro- their community. comes first, to decisions concerns to keep then citizens posed amend- accomplish this being made on the public from can’t do their ment that would so as not to place their behalf. knowing about most important limit the scope of the act to only an onerous burden on boards Privacy is decisions being job of helping to cover municipalities, school and municipalities with small important, and decide the boards and hospital boards. The staffs but still make meeting there are some made on their course of their public’s right to know is and information available in a time- things that behalf. community’s should be as broad as possible ly fashion. shouldn’t be future and in the and therefore should be protect- Overall OCNA and its mem- released, but it is important to end those in power become less ed in as many bodies as possi- ber newspapers are strong sup- carefully scrutinize every case accountable. That’s why Bill ble. Provincially mandated bod- porters of Bill 123. The spirit of where someone wants to pre- 123, as it was originally written, ies that work on behalf of the this bill reflects the true spirit vent the release of information with the few changes we sug- people of Ontario and make that burns within every commu- to the public. Instead of the gested, should be a vital part of decisions that affect our lives nity journalist, the desire to model of non-disclosure in bor- keeping Ontario strong and should be open to public scruti- know what’s going on and the derline cases we should move open. Thank you Madam Chair, ny to ensure they truly represent desire to share that information towards partial disclosure, and if you or your honoured col- the values and beliefs of the with their community. Ensuring where as much information is leagues have any questions for communities they serve. the accountability of public released as possible and only me or my associates we would The other proposed amend- bodies and protecting the open- the bare minimum is kept be pleased to answer them. ment I would like to comment ness of meetings are important secret. It’s only with an on is the idea of having minutes steps towards protecting peo- informed public that govern- OCNA will also be speaking approved before they’re made ple’s right to know. Creating an ments and boards are made to before the Ontario Attorney public. As one who has been appeals process to handle com- be responsible and accountable General’s Panel on Justice and involved in a number of organi- plaints of abuse and backing it because the citizenry knows the Media on Friday October zations in my time I know that up with real consequences for what they’re responsible for and 7th. A copy of that presentation releasing unapproved minutes is those who break the law gives on what they should be called to will be published in October’s not the done thing, but what I the act much needed teeth. The account. Community News Clips. Have you downloaded your Better Newspaper Competition entry forms? So what’s keeping you? Visit http://members.ocna.org and check out the Better Newspapers Awards folder for full details! OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 11 CLASSIFIEDS Water Cooler Used Equipment Looking to improve your OCNA is offering a Used Equipment sales? section in news clips to encourage Have your sales fizzled? Light a fire members with redundant equip- under your sales team. acquireyour- ment to place free classified ads fire.com with us, c/o OCNA, 103-3050 • Northumberland News has placed third in the Suburban Harvester Rd. Burlington ON L7N Spaghetti for Breakfast Newspapers of America’s general excellence competition for 3J1.Your ‘trash’ is someone else’s by Catherine Cunningham is an newspapers with circulations between 10,001 and 25,000. The ‘treasure’. award-winning humour column loved by readers of all ages is avail- judges particularly liked the News’ coverage of a plastics fire able for syndication at only $7.00 and commented that it: “shows that small staffs can cover big Life 101 per column.To receive a promotional events.” Guaranteed laughs mean guaran- package call 705-440-6771 • Laura Payton has been named general manager of the St. teed readership. Give your readers or e-mail Marys Journal-Argus. “Laura is widely respected in the com- ANOTHER great reason to open [email protected] your paper. Life 101 by Mark Thrice. munity for providing accurate and balanced coverage of local Previously published columns can E-mail: jhollingsworth@bowesnet. be viewed on-line at http://www.sim- news,” said Peter Winkler, the general manager of Metroland’s com. coe.com/sc/alliston/column/v-scv2/ Southwest Division in announcing her appointment. “Her dedi- Laughter is now on the menu.Order cation to the betterment of St. Marys is also well known.” Buying & Selling your weekly serving of Spaghetti for • Thunder Bay’s Source has seen several new faces join the A Business Column Breakfast today! paper recently. Richard Sadick has been named publisher Are you looking for punchy articles and brings over 40 year’s newspaper publishing experience in from an Ontario author who special- The Backyard Astronomer izes in mergers and acquisitions? Brings The Stars Down To marketing, sales, promotions to the paper. Most recently he Earth served as publisher of the Kelowna Capital News. Gary Doug Robbins is your solution. Doug writes columns to capture Written for anyone with a sense of Ferguson and Serenity MacArthur have been appointed to curiosity, The Backyard Astronomer, the Source’s sales team. interest. Your circulation gleans valuable, useful tips regarding buy- will turn on the light bulb inside your • The Durham Region Media Group has just launched an head and put a smile on your face. ing and selling a business. He is a interactive feature on its Web site called Citizens’ Eye where Author and amateur astronomer, member of the editorial board of a John Crossen, brings a lively and citizens have the opportunity to be a journalist by writing GTA newspaper. His fees are nomi- accounts of events of local interest and publish their photos. informative writing style to a subject nal. Call Joyce Hansen, Class Act which he enjoys passionately. And The venture will also include a print edition which will be dis- Connections, 905-278-0952 today his enthusiasm shows in an intrigu- tributed to locations in Pickering, Ajax, Whitby, Oshawa, and to book Doug for your column. ing array of articles that entertain Clarington. To check it out online please visit: http://citizens- readers and score big as the uni- eye.com/ Columns available online verse on the “wow-meter.” Updated • Toronto Community News has been busy sponsoring a Looking for regular or semi-regular weekly, they are available in half- number of local charity events including: Relay for Life for the columnists for your newspaper? page or quarter-page sizes. The Check out the OCNA web site. handy PDF formats are an easy Canadian Cancer Society, Heatwave Volleyball tournament for Columnists William Thomas, Eric “plug-in” to your existing newspaper the Sick Kids Foundation, the Allen's Family Challenge and the Dowd, and John Maclean upload layout. And at just $5.00 per article, Rona MS Bike Tour. their column for your use at a nomi- they’re also an easy “plug-in” to your • Markdale Standard has just completed a program that nal charge. John Maclean is a veter- budget. Who says a local weekly helped raise $12 million to build a new hospital. The paper ran an observer in the Parliamentary newspaper can’t cover the cosmos? a weekly column “Why We Gave” and ensured that all the Press Gallery. Certainly not The Backyard fundraising events were well covered along with countless Go to http://members.ocna.org and Astronomer. For samples in pdf format, contact: cheque presentations. go to the Syndicated Works folder. [email protected] • The Elliot Lake Standard has hired recent Humber College graduate Christina Bernardo as their new sports reporter. Members : e-mail your free • Sue Nielsen has left her job as a sports reporter for the Espanola Mid-North Monitor to take a position with the News Clips classifieds to Temiskaming Speaker. [email protected] • Parry Sound Beacon Star intern Melissa Kosowan has been awarded the K. Phyllis Wilson Scholarship from Carleton For our archive of Best Practice University for being an “outstanding student.” Bulletins, Ontario Press Service releases and other useful Send your updates to information please visit OCNA’s [email protected] Members Intranet site http://members.ocna.org 12 OCNA’S NEWSCLIPS • SEPTEMBER 2005 2006 Mary Knowles Award for Community Service Look around your newspaper office. Do you see a dedicated newspaper professional who is also committed to bettering his or her community? Is your photographer devoting personal time to preserving the history and heritage of the area? Does your sales manager spend her evenings improving the social and cultural life in town? Does your receptionist dedicate himself to making the community a better place for all? Then why not nominate them for the 2006 Mary Knowles Award for Community Service?

The award is named after Mary Knowles, a per- son who was as dedicated to her community as she was to her community newspaper. She died in November 1996 from breast cancer. This award was created by the Ontario Community Newspaper Foundation in her memory. Entry deadline November 24, 2005

The award will be presented at OCNA’s Spring Convention at the Toronto Airport Renaissance Hotel on April 1, 2006 For more information and to obtain a nomination form please see OCNA’s Members’ Intranet site at http://members.ocna.org in the Better Newspaper Awards folder or call Laraine Hall at (905) 639-8720 ext. 230

OCNA TEAM OCNA OFFICERS Bill Laidlaw, Executive Director; Anne Lannan, Dave Armstrong, President, New Liskeard Temiskaming Member Services Manager; Shelley Ford-Kohler, Speaker; Mike Williscraft, First Vice-President, Niagara This Published monthly by the Ontario Community Director of Financial Services; Lucia Shepherd, Week; Rick Shaver, Second Vice-President, Cornwall Seaway Newspapers Association Accounting/CNRIE; Karen Holtrop, Accounting; News; Marie David, Secretary/Treasurer, South Grey/Bruce, Nancy Burman, Newsprint; Lynn Fenton, Carolyn The Post Cam McKnight, Past President, Sun Media. 3050 Harvester Rd. Ste 103 Press, Minna Schmidt, Sean Lind, AdReach; Carol OCNA DIRECTORS Burlington, Ontario, Lebert, Sales Coordinator; Laraine Hall, Education J.T. Grossmith, Alexandria Glengarry News; Abbas L7N 3J1 Homayed, Sudbury Northern Life; Linda Plumridge, Fort Tel: (905) 639-8720 Coordinator; Ian Youseman, IT Technician; Gordon Fax: (905) 639-6962 Cameron, Communications Coordinator. Frances Times; Keith Roulston; Blyth/Brussels Citizen; Dave http://www.ocna.org Sykes, Goderich Signal-Star; Doreen Sykes, Collingwood E-mail to: NewsClips Editor: Gordon Cameron Enterprise-Bulletin; Peter Winkler, Metroland Southwest [email protected] http://members.ocna.org Division