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PROMOTING PRESS FREEDOM SINCE 1868 AUGUST, 2017 “News is what somebody somewhere wants to surpress; all the rest is advertising.” - Lord Northcliffe ISSUE 8 Fighting Fake News: The Facts are Black & White Jim Tarrant, Executive Director The trust of those readers is crucial to the success of Michigan Press Association the newspaper. There are times when newspapers get something wrong. In most cases, they are Traditional media has been getting a bad rap willing to make corrections. Unfortunately, this is lately. Icons in the newspaper industry like the often not the case with alternative media websites New York Times and Washington Post are accused that tend to favor one ideology over others and of providing “fake news” to their readers all too are unwilling to make any corrections when their often. Sadly, this moniker is perpetuated most “facts” are refuted. often by those who are unwilling to acknowledge the truth in the stories being printed. Whether it be in print or online, local newspapers can be counted on to keep citizens informed. As the Michigan Press Association prepares to They can also be counted on to hold elected celebrate its 150th Anniversary in 2018 we want officials accountable and let you know if your tax to urge Michigan citizens to celebrate traditional dollars are being used appropriately. Michigan media in our state. Newspapers have been newspapers lead the fight to protect the First providing important information about your Amendment in our state. By advocating for open communities since 1825. A survey released by government, transparency and accountability the National Newspaper Association this month they help ensure that people from Detroit to Iron shows that people still prefer newspapers for their Mountain and Muskegon to Tawas can access local news over TV and the internet. information regarding their local and state officials In the same survey, for community news, local and what they are doing with public funds. newspapers beat the internet by 3-1, which only We hope you will continue to read and support received 11 percent of the audience share. Social your local newspaper and utilize it as a resource media came in at just 5 percent, as did radio. for updates on the happenings in your community Journalists at local newspapers know their and in Lansing. Join MPA and Michigan communities, they know the elected officials, newspapers in celebrating 150 years of facts in the school employees, the student athletes black and white. and the local business people. Being part of the communities they report on helps them Visit MichiganPress.org for this house ad and editorial. Look for additional understand what the readers are looking for in materials as we continue to prepare for MPA’s 2018 sesquicentennial. their product. Welcome New Members MPA would like to extend a warm welcome to our newest members. The new members were approved by the MPA Board at their August 3rd meeting. In the Individual News Media Membership Category: Troy Baker- WOOD TV. Troy is an investigative producer at WOOD TV in Grand Rapids. In the News Media Publication Category: FlintBeat.com is an online publication headed up by Jiquanda Johnson in Flint, MI. PAGE 2 AUGUST, 2017 A Note from HE N T WO I R E L MPA President Doug Caldwell R D E H I S Your Membership Matters W It feels like the media is being scrutinized, criticized and, at in the Better Newspaper NT times, demonized more than any time in recent memory. Contest, which awards the RA As a member of the Fourth Estate, we understand it is in best and brightest in the AR moments like this that our role is more important than Great Lakes State. T ever. JIM The MPA understands Whether a large daily paper or a small community that not all publications publication, I imagine all of us have dealt with the fallout these days are traditional of the anger that has become prevalent in the national newspapers, and the MPA rhetoric. Continuing to do what we do, to uncover truth membership committee and to serve as guardians of the communities we serve, is dedicated to expanding is something we’re all striving to do. Being a member of membership to non- the Michigan Press Association assists us in the efforts of traditional publications fulfilling out mission. and organizations and increasing its individual memberships to include more There is strength in numbers and becoming a MPA freelance journalists and college students. The committee member allows you to be part of a network of brethren is looking to find more ways to connect members to each who are dealing with similar issues that you are. Through other andto opportunity. The MPA classifieds and resume its public policy work, the MPA champions freedom of bank, for example, are designed to connect publishers to press and is steadfast in its mission of providing “sunshine” talent. into traditional role of “keepers of the record” in relation to public notices. The MPA is looking not only for new members, but also for volunteers to help the membership committee grow Access to the legal hotline, another membership the organization. benefit, is a valuable tool. When those times arise where help is needed, a quick call can provide For more information on becoming a member or to join advice from advisors who been through it a time or two. the membership committee, please contact Lisa McGraw Connecting With Members Other important benefits are access to the annual MPA at (517) 372-2424 or [email protected]. MPA Executive Director, Jim Tarrant joined Brent Morris of the convention, featuring cutting-edge speakers who are well Holland Sentinel known in the state and country and access to participate What’s happening in WASHINGTON? Taxing Advertising Could Have Adverse Economic Consequences Column by Steve Horton Advertising is all around us, found in newspapers such as this for $179.8 billion of economic output or sales—an amount So am I akin to Paul Revere, sounding the alarm, or more like one as well as on TV, radio, and the Internet. The term would (the Coalition’s study pointed) that is 16.3 percent of the $1.1 Chicken Little, thinking the sky is falling when no such danger include store signs, product labeling, posters, billboards, trillion in total economic output in the State. Job-wise, the exists? Is the 100 percent deduction for advertising likely to flyers, business cards along with ads in magazines, phone number is over 566,000, or 13.4 percent of the labor force. be changed? Or is it an off-the-wall idea that has little chance directories, school yearbooks, fair books, tourism guides, of gaining support? and athletic programs. It would also cover the sponsorships When you get to the entire United States, the figures are $5.8 that help fund special events like Fowlerville’s Christmas in trillion, or 16 percent, and 20 million jobs, or 14 percent. Well, The Advertising Coalition—whose membership includes such major entities as the National Association of the Ville and the Fowlerville Family Fair as well as the money Advertising, as it’s generally defined, is considered an spent to buy an animal at the 4-H auction. Broadcasters, CBS, The Walt Disney Company, 21st Century ordinary and necessary business expense and, ever since the Fox, and the News Media Alliance—is concerned it might Advertising for many businesses, whether large or small, tax code was created in 1913, has been a fully deductible cost gain traction. is used primarily to sell a product or service to a targeted of doing business. However, this 100 percent deduction— audience. But it also serves as a marketing tool to let people which has treated advertising the same way as hiring The reason for the concern is tied to the fact that the know who they are, what they do, where they’re located, and employees or buying products to stock the shelves for resale Republican leadership in the House and Senate as well as how to contact them. Last, but not least, it offers businesses a or paying the monthly rent on an office—may be in danger of the Trump Administration have indicated their intent to way to support community activities and organizations. being reduced or otherwise modified. Doing so would likely bring a major tax overhaul up for consideration this fall. Their have adverse economic consequences, says the ADvertising stated goal is to reduce the rates for corporations as well as With the money spent and its impact, advertising is a major Coalition. It is an assessment I concur with. individual taxpayers, and to make the tax code “simpler.” part of the overall economy—locally, in the state of Michigan, and nationally. If a recent proposal were enacted, only half of the total Part of the preliminary discussion has included eliminating expense could be deducted for the current tax year while or modifying some of the existing “loopholes” as a means of Information compiled by The Advertising Coalition (a the remainder of the money spent would be spread out as a offsetting some of the revenue that will be lost by reducing national association of advertisers, ad agencies, and media deduction over the next several years. And what about that rates. Loophole is a term used for describing the other guy’s companies) states that advertising helps generate $9.4 remaining part of the advertising expense? Well, it would tax break or deduction. Possibly the best known deduction, billion or 15 percent of the economic activity in the 8th be taxed as income. As an example, if an automobile dealer one used by millions of Americans, is the yearly interest that’s Congressional District—an area that includes Livingston and spent $2 million to advertise the 2017 models, it could deduct paid on a home mortgage loan.