“His sixth life term was for my attempted murder. … I wish every day we could go back to June 27th and have it be like it was with my coworkers and me working in our newsroom and just try to tell the stories from our community. … That’s what keeps me going is trying to honor my colleagues. I struggle every day with PTSD and depression and anxiety … It’s something that I don’t think will ever go away.”

–  Paul Gillespie, Capital Gazette

“We need this backstop of federal protection in the event that local authorities decline to act whenever a journalist is attacked … it will send a strong message to the American people that violence against anyone, particularly journalists, seeking and reporting the truth on behalf of the public, will not be tolerated.”

–  Dan Shelley, RTDNA

Guests: Paul Gillespie, Capital Gazette and Dan Shelley, RTDNA

In this first episode of News Take: Free Press Focus, a subseries of the News Take podcast, we hear from RTDNA CEO Dan Shelley and Capital Gazette Photojournalist Paul Gillespie about the dangers that journalists face on the job and what can be done to combat the threat of violence. Gillespie is one of six survivors of the 2018 shooting at the Capital Gazette in Maryland and speaks on his experience and the importance of shielding journalists from harm. Dan Shelley speaks to RTDNA’s major priority in passing the Journalist Protection Act, a law that would make assaulting a journalist a federal crime. With extensive experience in the media industry, both Gillespie and Shelley illustrate the significance of journalists as a whole and what we, as a community, can do to support them.

Listen or download the audio file to listen offline:

Don’t forget to subscribe to the News Take podcast by clicking “Follow” and selecting your preferred podcasting platform, or click on your preferred platform: Spotify, Apple, Google.

Watch with video:

Speaker bios:

Paul Gillespie has been a photojournalist at Capital Gazette Communications since 2000. He is a 2019 Pulitzer Prize recipient and was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year alongside the staff at Capital Gazette. Gillespie is one of six survivors of the 2018 shooting at Capital Gazette in Annapolis, in which he lost five close colleagues. He is one of two survivors who still work for the publication today.

Dan Shelley is the President and CEO of the Radio Television Digital News Association, RTDNA, the world’s largest professional organization dedicated to broadcast and digital journalism. He has an extensive background in digital media, including his previous role as Senior Vice President, Digital Content Strategy at iHeartMedia. Since the Journalist Protection Act was introduced in 2018, RTDNA has heavily advocated for passing the legislation.

Related links:

Journalists Matter Project – Faces of the Capital Gazette

The Journalist Protection Act – Senate press release

RTDNA – Journalist Protection Act Advocacy Toolkit

Watch the previous episode of News Take

View all episodes of News Take

Send us your suggestions

Send your suggestions for future News Take guests to Senior Counsel & Director of Public Policy, Charlotte McBirney, at charlotte@newsmediaalliance.org.

News Take Production Team:

Host and Executive Producer: Charlotte McBirney, Senior Counsel & Director of Public Policy, News/Media Alliance

Production Support, Editing & Distribution:

Georgi-Ann Clarke, Social Media & Content Manager, News/Media Alliance
Lindsey Loving, Director, Communications, News/Media Alliance
Kayla Singer, 2023 Summer Intern, News/Media Alliance

Audio & Video Engineer: Current Media Group

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The post News Take: Free Press Focus: Preventing Another Capital Gazette Shooting: Why We Need The Journalist Protection Act appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

About Free Speech Week

Free Speech Week is a nonpartisan, non-ideological event designed to raise awareness and celebrate the importance of free speech and a free press in the United States. This year Free Speech Week is October 16-22, 2023.

News/Media Alliance is a Free Speech Week partner, along with a variety of organizations and educational institutions that believe in the value of freedom of speech and a free press. Click here to view a list of Free Speech Week Partners.

Partners offer resources and host activities during Free Speech Week, including webinars, quizzes, contests and more. Click here for ideas on how your organization can participate in Free Speech Week.

For more information about Free Speech Week, visit www.freespeechweek.org

Free Speech/Free Press Content

Alliance Free Press page

View all News/Media Alliance posts about free speech and freedom of the press.

Supreme Court Watch: Free Press Focus (2023) – For decades, the Supreme Court’s decisions have both extended and restricted free press protections through the interpretation of the First Amendment in cases that have come before it. The Court continues to hear such cases to this day. The News/Media Alliance monitors these cases and participates in amicus briefs where appropriate, in an effort to protect the rights of news and magazine media.

Infographic: The History of Press Freedom in America (See right)

Alliance Opposes Bill Restricting Journalists’ Right of Access (July 11, 2022) – The Alliance joined a letter by the National Press Photographers Association asking Arizona Gov. Douglas Ducey to veto a recently passed Bill that makes it illegal to film a law enforcement officer within eight feet of the officer without permission, explaining that the bill likely “violates not only the free speech and press clauses of the First Amendment,” but also “runs counter to the ‘clearly established right’ to photograph and record police officers performing their official duties in a public place.”

“Why Students Need the Full First Amendment,” Free Speech Week column by News/Media Alliance Fall/Winter 2020 Alliance communications intern, Jennifer Nehrer (2020) – “In order to ensure that student voices are heard, schools should not limit the freedoms of speech that are given to citizens outside of the schoolyard.”

“Facts Are the Language of America,” Free Speech Week op-ed by News/Media Alliance President & CEO David Chavern (2018) – “To fortify and flourish, we need to protect free speech. Journalists must be able to do their jobs without fear of censorship so that readers have unfettered access to the facts. Free speech is our most important tool in challenging abuses of power.”

“News Media Are the First and Most Effective Means for Exercising Our Five First Amendment Freedoms,” National Newspaper Week op-ed by News/Media Alliance President & CEO David Chavern (2019) – “Through news media, citizens can express themselves and advocate for their causes, whether they be political, religious or just personally meaningful to us; share our thoughts and ideas; petition the government; and plan assemblies. News media can be our own personal amplifier for sharing our unique perspectives, as well as a wider lens through which to view and engage with our communities.”

The PRESS Act

The bi-partisan Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying Act, or “PRESS Act,” (H.R. 4330) would establish reasonable ground rules for when the government can obtain confidential source information from the media and their third-party service providers. The Act was originally introduced in 2021 by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) following reports that the Department of Justice was misusing statutes to obtain information from and about journalists. The safeguards enumerated in the PRESS Act are critical to supporting and maintaining a free and independent press.

Related:

Statement: News/Media Alliance Applauds House Judiciary for Unanimous Vote in Favor of the PRESS Act (July 2023)

Statement: Bipartisan Federal Shield Bill, the Protect Reporters from Excessive State Suppression (PRESS) Act Reintroduced in House and Senate (June 2023)

Statement: House Passes PRESS Act (September 19, 2022)

The Journalist Protection Act

On May 3, 2023, World Press Freedom Day, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14) introduced the Journalist Protection Act in the House and Senate. The bill would strengthen protections for journalists by making intentionally harming or intimidating a working journalist a federal crime.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The State of FOIA 2023  (March 2023)

Alliance Supports Government Transparency Under FOIA (September 1, 2022)

Senate Holds FOIA Hearing (March 31, 2022)

DOJ FOIA Guidelines Call for More Transparency (March 16, 2022)

The State of of FOIA Infographic (updated March 15, 2022)

Anti-SLAPP Legislation

With State Anti-SLAPP Laws in Chaos, New Uniform Legislation Would Offer Consistent Protection for Publishers of Free Speech (February 28, 2022)

#FreeSpeechWeek Materials

Below are several resources and materials on Free Speech that can be used in your newspaper publications, as well as online and on social media.

Free Speech Week logo and tagline:

Download official Free Speech Week logo and tagline

Social media badge:

Show your support by changing your social media profile image during Free Speech Week.

Download the Free Speech Week social media badge here.

In addition, use the hashtag #freedomspeaks to follow and participate in the conversation about free speech week on Twitter!

Social media graphics

Click to expand, right-click to save.

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The post Free Speech Week appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Through our partnership with the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF), News/Media Alliance members* receive access to extensive postal-related resources, events and materials as well as webinars to train newspaper employees for best uses of the mail in a rapidly changing postal environment.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 3:00-4:00 p.m. EST

Description:

This session will cover address components, placement and more.

Register

Who Should Attend?

• Publishers
• Circulation managers
• Printers
• Compliance officers
• Office managers

NNA member login required to participate. If you have not yet registered for an NNA account, click here to register.

A Newspaper Mail School is available, where employees can receive a certification to become proficient in dealing with United States Postal Service. Members who wish to earn the Newspaper Mail Master certificates may enroll in the certification program for a modest fee. The levels of attainment will be Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Members will earn certificates for each level upon successful completion of an exam for that level. There is no limit to how many times an enrollee may take the exams.

Volume 1 recordings:

The previous recordings and presentations from the Understanding Periodicals series are available to Alliance members. (NNA login required. If you have not yet registered for an NNA account, click here to register.)

Session 1: Understanding Periodicals

Session 2: Managing a Permit and How DO you find the answers you need?

Session 3: Things You Forgot — Or Maybe Never Knew — About Periodicals

Session 4: Using Your Permit To Generate Revenue

Session 5: All Things Mail Entry

Session 6: Proper Mail Preparation & Addressing

Volume 2 recordings:

Session 1: The Overview

Session 2: Basic Qualifications and Research

Session 3: Things You Never Knew

Session 4: Privileges to Help Publishers

Session 5: Everything Mail Entry

View all Postal Rate posts

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The post Free Webinar: Understanding Periodicals Lesson VI: Mail Preparation and Addressing appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

The United States Postal Service filed notice with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of price changes on October 6, to take effect January 21, 2024. Sharon Owens, Vice President, Pricing & Costing will lead a webinar to provide an overview of the January Market Dominant Price Change filing on Thursday, October 12th at 12:00 pm (EST).

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions during the webinar via the chat box. However, if you would like to submit your questions before the webinar, you can send them to IndustryFeedback@usps.gov.

Please note: If you are unable to attend the webinar, the presentation will be recorded and posted on PostalPro.

Join Zoom Meeting:
Phone one-tap: US: +15033361236,,1614729459#,,,,*298639# or +1952-229-5070,,1614729459#,,,,*298639#
Meeting URL: https://usps.zoomgov.com/j/1614729459?pwd=NU5hT0VxQkJDZVRTU2lsc0dHNlF6QT09
Meeting ID: 161 472 9459
Passcode: 298639

Join by Telephone:
For higher quality, dial a number based on your current location.

Dial:
US: +1 503 336 1236 or +1 952-229-5070 or +1 650-581-7094 or +1 855-860-4313 or +1 678 317 3330
Meeting ID: 161 472 9459
Passcode: 298639

Join from an H.323/SIP room system
H.323: sip.zoomgov.com
Meeting ID: 161 472 9459
Passcode: 298639
SIP: 1614729459@sip.zoomgov.com
Passcode: 298639

View all Postal Rate posts

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The post January 2024 Market Dominant Price Change Filing Webinar appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Here is a collection of photos from the day:

Click on a photo to expand and click the Back button in your browser to return to the Gallery.

Support Local Journalism Awards Reception photographs by Will Reintzell Photography.

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The post ‘Support Journalism’ Fly-In Photos appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Saturday, October 7, 2023

International Newspaper Carrier Day is held each year in conjunction with National Newspaper Week (NNW), an annual week dedicated to celebrating the impact of newspapers to communities large and small.

National Newspaper Week 

National Newspaper Week (NNW) is October 1 – 7, 2023, with International Newspaper Carrier Day falling on that Saturday, October 7, 2020.

NNW is sponsored by Newspaper Association Managers, Inc., the consortium of North American trade associations representing the industry on a state and provincial, regional and national basis.

This year’s NNW theme is “In Print. Online. For You.” This 83rd annual National Newspaper Week is a recognition of the service of newspapers and their employees across North America.

For more information about National Newspaper Week and to download NNW resources, visit www.nationalnewspaperweek.com/

Additional materials for use by newspapers promoting NNW will be posted below as they become available.

International Newspaper Carrier Day

International Newspaper Carrier Day is on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

The News/Media Alliance produces an ad for International Newspaper Carrier day for members to run in their newspapers as a thank-you to their hard-working newspaper carriers.

Click here to download the 2023 ads.

The post 2023 National Newspaper Week and International Newspaper Carrier Day appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Through our partnership with the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF), News/Media Alliance members* receive access to extensive postal-related resources, events and materials as well as webinars to train newspaper employees for best uses of the mail in a rapidly changing postal environment.

Description:

In this session, originally recorded on August 10, 2023, Interlink’s CEO, Brad Hill, shares how mail entry works today and what will be different in the near future.

This is the first part of the program that earns credit toward Gold Certification.

Who Should Attend?

• Publishers
• Circulation managers
• Printers
• Compliance officers
• Office managers

Member login required to watch recorded version on NNAFoundation.org. 

Watch Recording

A Newspaper Mail School is available, where employees can receive a certification to become proficient in dealing with United States Postal Service. Members who wish to earn the Newspaper Mail Master certificates may enroll in the certification program for a modest fee. The levels of attainment will be Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Members will earn certificates for each level upon successful completion of an exam for that level. There is no limit to how many times an enrollee may take the exams.

Volume 1 recordings:

The previous recordings and presentations from the Understanding Periodicals series are available to Alliance members. (NNA login required. If you have not yet registered for an NNA account, click here to register.)

Session 1: Understanding Periodicals

Session 2: Managing a Permit and How DO you find the answers you need?

Session 3: Things You Forgot — Or Maybe Never Knew — About Periodicals

Session 4: Using Your Permit To Generate Revenue

Session 5: All Things Mail Entry

Session 6: Proper Mail Preparation & Addressing

Volume 2 recordings:

Session 1: The Overview

Session 2: Basic Qualifications and Research

Session 3: Things You Never Knew

Session 4: Privileges to Help Publishers

View all Postal Rate posts

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The post Recording Available! Webinar: Understanding Periodicals Vol 2 Session 5: Everything Mail Entry appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Through our partnership with the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF), News/Media Alliance members* receive access to extensive postal-related resources, events and materials as well as webinars to train newspaper employees for best uses of the mail in a rapidly changing postal environment.

Description:

This session, originally recorded on July 6, 2023, focuses on the value of your Periodicals permit, how your permit can add to your advertising offerings and using the privileges to build circulation.

Registrants seeking certification will earn credit toward the Silver level of competency.

Who Should Attend?

• Publishers
• Circulation managers
• Printers
• Compliance officers
• Office managers

Member login required to watch recorded version on NNAFoundation.org. Register to attend the live program or to receive email notification once the archive has been posted. 

Learn more

A Newspaper Mail School is available, where employees can receive a certification to become proficient in dealing with United States Postal Service. Members who wish to earn the Newspaper Mail Master certificates may enroll in the certification program for a modest fee. The levels of attainment will be Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Members will earn certificates for each level upon successful completion of an exam for that level. There is no limit to how many times an enrollee may take the exams.

Volume 1 recordings:

The previous recordings and presentations from the Understanding Periodicals series are available to Alliance members. (NNA login required. If you have not yet registered for an NNA account, click here to register.)

Session 1: Understanding Periodicals

Session 2: Managing a Permit and How DO you find the answers you need?

Session 3: Things You Forgot — Or Maybe Never Knew — About Periodicals

Session 4: Using Your Permit To Generate Revenue

Session 5: All Things Mail Entry

Session 6: Proper Mail Preparation & Addressing

Volume 2 recordings:

Session 1: The Overview

Session 2: Basic Qualifications and Research

Session 3: Things You Never Knew

View all Postal Rate posts

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The post Recording Available! Webinar: Understanding Periodicals Vol 2 Session 4: Privileges to Help Publishers appeared first on News/Media Alliance.

Image credit: lucky-photographer/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images

September 26 – 27, 2023 | Washington, D.C.

The post Support Journalism Parade / Fly-in appeared first on News/Media Alliance.