The Oklahoma Publisher Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association
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The Oklahoma Publisher Official Publication of the Oklahoma Press Association www.OkPress.com Vol. 86, No. 7 www.Facebook.com/okpress 16 Pages • July 2015 INSIDE Robby Trammell new OPA president ELECTION POSTPONED: A McClain County election Robby Trammell, news director for The nation by providing important news, infor- was postponed when it was Oklahoman and its website, NewsOK.com, mation, commentary and advertising so determined that the legal notice was elected president of the Oklahoma our citizens may be well-informed. Fairness requirement wasn’t met. Press Association at the June 4 OPA Con- and accuracy in reporting are essential PAGE 4 vention in Oklahoma City. whether the story is reported in print, Trammell will serve a one-year term broadcast, online or by social media. Tech- BOARD MEETING: The beginning July 1. nology is expanding our opportunities to OPA/OPS Board of Directors Other officers elected to a one-year term serve and inform.” met at the Sheraton Hotel The new OPA president said citizens were Dayva Spitzer, co-publisher of the in downtown Oklahoma City should support local media through sub- Sayre Record & Beckham County Demo- during the OPA convention. scriptions and advertising because the pri- crat, as vice president; Rod Serfoss, pub- PAGE 11 vate enterprise system is the best way to lisher of the Clinton Daily News, as trea- finance and guarantee a free press. SCHOLARSHIPS: Meet the surer, and Jeff Funk, publisher of the Enid four students who received Trammell joined The Oklahoman in News & Eagle, as past president. 1987 and was chief of the Tulsa Bureau Oklahoma Newspaper Newly elected to the OPA board of direc- Foundation scholarships for the until 1990 when he became a full-time tors for a three-year term was Mark Millsap, 2015-16 year. investigative reporter for the paper. He was publisher of The Norman Transcript. Ray PAGE 13 promoted to associate editor in 1996 and Dyer, co-publisher of the El Reno Tribune, directed the newspaper’s special projects was re-elected to serve a three-year term. and investigations. He was named assistant DONATE TO ONF to receive inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Other members of the board are Brian managing editor in 2002, and news director this Will Rogers print. Details at Hall of Fame in April. Blansett, Tri-County Herald (Meeker); Ted in 2007. OkPress.com/will-rogers. “I’m excited to be part of a profession Trammell, along with The Oklahoman’s Streuli, The Journal Record; Mike Strain, that is committed to serving in the public investigative reporting team, won a first- Tulsa World, and John Denny Montgom- interest,” Trammell said. “Good journalism place spot news reporting award for cover- ery, The Purcell Register. is essential because we provide informa- age of the federal indictments of Timothy Trammell has received numerous inves- tion and news that empower people in a McVeigh and Terry Nichols in the Okla- tigative awards during his 45-year career. democracy. Oklahoma newspapers have a homa City bombing case, and exposed His work has won acclaim statewide, par- long tradition of outstanding public service. wrongdoing in the 1990 campaign of a ticularly from The Associated Press, the “We take seriously our watchdog role former Oklahoma governor. Their scoop Society of Professional Journalists and of government, but also the importance the Oklahoma Press Association. He was of building up our communities, state and Continued on Page 3 Barb Walter to receive top NNA award Barbara A. distinguished service and leadership to the Award; NNA, OPA and SPJ honors for col- ‘Barb’ Walter community press and their community. umn writing, newswriting and photography. of Hennessey Walter has been managing editor of The Walter has one son, Nick Walter of Hen- will be hon- Clipper for 37 years, and was co-publisher nessey; four step-children, Amy Carpenter ored during for 35 years with her husband, Bill Walter. of Edmond; Tracy Anderson of Fort Worth; the National She was named to the Oklahoma Jour- Jill Jenkins of Edmond, and Courtney Wal- Newspaper nalism Hall of Fame in 2008; is a past ter of St. Louis; and eight grandchildren. Association’s president and treasurer of the Oklahoma The McKinney Award was established 2015 Annual Press Association; the only woman to serve in 1966 to honor Emma C. McKinney, co- Convention & as president of the Oklahoma Newspaper publisher and editor of the Hillsboro (OR) Trade Show Foundation, and is a current foundation Argus for 58 years. She was dean of Oregon in St. Charles, member. newspapermen and women in 1954 and was Mo., where She has judged state and national news- inducted into the Oregon Journalism Hall she will be presented with the Emma C. paper contests, served on the NNA Awards of Fame in 1982. McKinney Award at the association’s busi- Committee, and supported NNA with the Established in 1885, the National News- ness luncheon on Oct. 3, 2015. newspaper’s membership and in postal mat- paper Association is the voice of America’s Recognized as the highest and most ters. community newspapers and the largest dignified tributes in community journal- Among her many honors are the ONF newspaper association in the country. The ism, the Amos and McKinney Awards are Beachy Musselman Award; Kingfisher nation’s community papers inform, educate presented to a working or retired news- County Bar Association Liberty Bell Award; and entertain nearly 150 million readers paperman and woman who have provided Hennessey United Association Service every week. 2 The Oklahoma Publisher // July 2015 Show us your OPA shirts Keeping an eye out for news The newly elected county sheriff I AM SO PROUD AND HONORED to pushed his white Western hat back on serve you this year as OPA president. his head, reared back in his chair, and One of the highlights of my journalism propped his feet -- decked out in Cowboy career has been the opportunity to serve boots -- up on his desk. on the OPA board of directors several “Boy, I’m going to keep an eye on years – to serve with such a dedicated you,” he told the young reporter he had group of women and men who care so just met without cracking a smile. “If we much about their profession, communi- have any trouble, I’m going to settle it ties and state. out back in the alley.” Our industry has faced challenges I replied, “Well, sheriff, I’m going to this past decade, but thanks to the hard keep an eye on you. And, if we have any work, capable planning and sound analy- trouble I’m going to settle it across eight sis given these changing times by cur- columns.” rent and past presidents, board mem- WE WANT TO SEE WHERE YOU’RE WEARING YOUR OPA SHIRTS! OPA Member I thought he was joking. He wasn’t. bers, staff and membership, the OPA Services Director Lisa Sutliff and Creative Services Assistant Ashley Novachich show Many stories and a lawsuit later, the continues on a sound operating basis. off their OPA shirts outside the office in Oklahoma City. Speaking of shirts … we Seminole County sheriff was ousted Congratulations to Jeff Funk of the have a few left! This is your opportunity to purchase a shirt that promotes Oklahoma from office. Jurors found him guilty of Enid News & Eagle for completing an newspapers. To order, fill out the form on our website at www.okpress.com/tshirts. And official misconduct, including allowing outstanding year as president. Job well don’t forget to send in photos of you and your staff members wearing the shirts! Email inmates to run at large, using inmates as done! Also, I want to thank past presi- photos to [email protected]. farm laborers to herd the sheriff’s cattle, dent Jeff Mayo of the Sequoyah County and allowing alcohol into the county jail. Times, who has completed his term on The Seminole Producer, where I the board, for his service. Both gentle- worked at the time in 1977, filed a civil men have provided outstanding leader- lawsuit against the sheriff to obtain pub- ship to OPA. OPA CALENDAR OF EVENTS lic jail records and a district court order As your president I will depend heav- restraining the sheriff and deputies from ily on the board this year and treasurer FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2015 threatening reporters. The Oklahoma Rod Serfoss of the Clinton Daily News. Press Association joined in the lawsuit. Whatever I lack in ability compared to INCREASE YOUR ROI ON SALES CALLS Witnesses quoted the sheriff as say- the long list of capable presidents who Cost: $35, 1-2 pm ing it would be hard for a reporter to have served OPA, I will attempt to make This webinar will focus on how to prepare for a sales presentation while not relying on a script “write with broken fingers or a broken up for with hard work. I also look for- or winging it as well as discuss interviewing techniques, uncovering customer needs, creating neck.” ward to working closely with Executive customized marketing campaigns, the 8 steps to a successful sales presentation and tips to “The political figures who attempt Vice President Mark Thomas and his implement each step of the presentation process. To register, visit www.onlinemediacampus.com. to stifle the press aren’t damaging the talented staff. press nearly as much as they are dam- I hope every member asked to serve THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2015 aging the citizens in whose behalf these OPA this year will accept the opportuni- HOW TO CRAFT AN ENGAGING LEAD rights exist,” the late publisher Milt ty.