PROMOTING PRESS FREEDOM SINCE 1868 FEBRUA RY 2017 “Excessive administration secrecy... feeds conspiracy theories and Issue 2 reduces the public’s confidence in government.” — Sen. John McCain Sunshine Week MPA ON THE MOVE is Coming Soon ‘Change is inevitable. From March 12-18 the Michigan Press Association Growth is optional.’ would like to encourage By John C. Maxwell members to celebrate media, Bulletin and design of marketing materials. She Sunshine! This is the 12th will also work closely with the executive director in I am a firm believer in the statement Change is Annual celebration that implementing the new management agreement with the inevitable. In Michigan people have often said, if Michigan Press Association Foundation. Her Founda- was started by ASNE and you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. As the tion activities will include maintaining the longstanding the Reporters Committee MPA leadership continues to push the vision for a relationships with the college and university schools of to help raise awareness of, and promote transparency and openness for all reinvigorated MPA change happens here as well. It levels of government. is with mixed feelings I report to the membership journalism and the annual scholarship awards and may- There are many ways to participate in the events. Many newspapers on changing in staffing for MPA, MNI and The be assisting staff with fundraising. Brittiany worked across the country use this week as an opportunity to promote openness Foundation. for the Missouri Pharmacy Association before follow- with op-eds, editorial cartoons and stories about what is going on in their Departure - Roselie Lucas, MPA Manager has ing her fiancé to the Lansing area, where he accepted a local governments. submitted her resignation. Roselie has served the position with MIRS. Resources, including a toolkit with ideas can be found at www.sunshine- newspaper industry of Michigan for over two decades in Retirement – Janet Mendler announced her retire- week.org. a variety of capacities. She has been instrumental in the ment as the Michigan Press Association Foundation Keep your eye on your email box for op-ed content from MPA and transition of services to CNA and from CNA to MAN- Manager after 14 years at the helm. Janet began with our members in the next few weeks. We have a big opportunity to make SI. Roselie during her tenure has had many responsibil- the Foundation in 2003. During her time, the scholar- changes in our FOIA laws in this legislative session. The state House has ities over the years including MNI for-profit/advertising ship program has grown to where it has now given out re-introduced a package of bills that will subject the legislature and gover- services, member services, operations to name a few. 233 individual scholarships. Janet keeps in close touch nor’s office to FOIA. Michigan is one of only two states in the country that In the past year she has been helpful in the transition with many of them, especially the many who continue currently protects these elected officials from FOIA and we look forward to to a new executive director and willing to share her in journalism and related careers. She has been keenly changing that. broad knowledge of the organizations activities, history involved with the development of young journalists, in- Unfortunately, in spite of support from an overwhelming majority of and projects that were on the shelf. cluding those still in high school. Through her guidance, State Representatives including Speaker Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) House We will all share our thanks for her service to MPA, the Foundation annually covers the tuition of five high Democratic Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and the Lieutenant Gov- MNI and the Foundation. We wish her well in her new school students who otherwise would not be able to ernor; Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-Olive Township) still op- endeavor and position with a national association. attend the summer week-long Michigan Interscholastic poses any legislation that would allow these records to be open to the public. Arrival – Brittiany Turner, BA English, will be Press Association workshop. Janet’s passion for young MPA urges you to use Sunshine Week to talk with your State Senators joining MPA in March. Brittiany will be the Com- journalism is unmatched and well-regarded by those and ask them to tell the Majority Leader that they support transparency for munications Manager responsible for websites, social who carry forth the trade’s vital mission. the legislature and the Governor. Better Newspaper Contest Newspapers of the Year Class C: Midland Daily News On Thursday, January 26, the Awards Gala at Class D: Greenville Daily News MPA’s Annual Convention brought more than 200 Weekly/News Media Publication people together to celebrate great writing, photogra- Newspaper of the Year: phy, design and successful advertising campaigns from Class A: Bridge Magazine Michigan’s best. Class B: Tri-County Times Class C: Gaylord Herald Times This year we had a great competition for the BNC Class D: State Line Observer Contest. MPA Celebrated quality journalism in College Newspaper of the Year: Michigan by handing out our highest awards to the Division 1: Central Michigan University/CM-Life “Newspaper of the Year” winners. Below are the 2016 Division 2: Ferris State University/The Torch Newspaper of the Year winners: Division 3: Grand Rapids Community College/The Collegiate Daily Newspaper of the Year: Full results of special awards from Newspaper of the Year to Public Notice Journalism, regular contests for editorial, college and advertising can be found at Class A: Flint Journal https://michiganpress.org/contests/ Class B: The Ann Arbor News The 2017 BNC Contest will open up on August 1, 2017. PAGE 2 JANUARY, 2017 Transparency Transparency is the lifeblood to any strong can see their The Open Meetings Act outlaws a govern- employees under the act, they currently remain democracy in the world. representa- ment that is conducted behind closed doors, outside of it, meaning a major portion of our Without transparency the owners of the tives debate that creates a perception of corruption and government does not allow its employers, the government - the people - cannot guide their the issues mismanagement of their community issues. citizens, the ability to double-check the work representatives to do their will. Without before them The Freedom of Information Act is just they are doing on behalf of us. transparency government corruption takes and make as important to a democracy. This act allows There is no valid reason why this light of flight, bad decisions are made and govern- decisions citizens to view and study primary docu- transparency should not shine upon the state ment ceases to be of the people and by the based on those mentation that government uses to debate legislature and the governor’s office. Sure, cer- people. A voting population left in the dark decisions. and decide solutions to the issues impacting tain members of the legislature will make weak about its government becomes cynical and The Open the citizens. It allows citizens the ability to complaints the law will not allow for unfiltered mistrusting of their representatives. Meetings Act double check the work being done by their debate among them, but that is like saying your Two of the best tools to ensure government gives citizens employees: the elected and appointment boss should not observe a portion of your work. transparency in any state or federal govern- a front room officials that represent them. It’s time for the light of transparency to shine ment those that give the public the ability to Doug Caldwell seat to how However, in the state of Michigan this act in all corners of government in the state of observe and study the decisions made by their President & Publisher policy is does not apply to one major portion of those Michigan. It’s time for all of our employees to be elected and appointed government bodies and Petoskey Media Group shaped and employed by the citizens: the state legislature put under the same spotlight. representatives: The Freedom of Information gets the citi- and the governor’s office. Act and the Open Meetings Act. zens involved While proposals are being made at this very Co-written by Jeremy McBain, Executive Editor, Using the Open Meetings Act, citizens of in this process through observation and the moment (credit the Michigan House for passing Petoskey News-Review/Charlevoix Courier/ Saturday, and Michigan Press Association President the community, state and federal government ability to communicate with their representa- this legislation that is now sent to the Senate for Doug Caldwell, President & Publisher of the can observe government in action. They tives at these meetings. approval) to bring these groups of government Northern Michigan Review HE N T WO I R From the June 1947 E L R D Michigan Publisher E H I #TBT S W NT RA AR JIM T Cutline infor- mation here when we get it www.MICHIGANPRESS.org JANUARY, 2017 PAGE 3 LEGISLATUREGet to know the What newspapers are State Rep. Jim Runestad in your district? was first elected The newspapers in our district include the Spinal to serve in the Column, The Milford Times, and The Oakland Michigan House of Representatives in Press, as well as the Milford Messenger (a Milford November 2014. High School Newspaper). He represents the 44th District, which includes the residents Can you tell our members of Highland Township, in 100 words or less why White Lake Township, Springfield Township, you think that the Open Milford Township and Meetings Act and the parts of Waterford Township, as well as Freedom of Information Jim Runestad, the Village of Milford.