At almost 77, my Midwestern mother has a complicated relationship with her local newspaper. For more than half her life, she’s been a daily subscriber. When she goes on vacation, she has a neighbor save the papers for her so she can go through them upon her return. She clips out obituaries and articles about people she knows in the Central Illinois town where I grew up. So … [Read more...] about Lee’s pricing model for ‘members’ alienates longtime readers
New 4-H paper first of its kind for student journalists
With fewer high school journalism programs in Southern Illinois and even fewer schools printing a student newspaper, 4-H in Perry County is stepping in with the launch of the monthly Clover Leaf. The new student newspaper is a unique collaboration between a community publisher and 4-H that gives elementary, middle and high school students a chance to report and distribute … [Read more...] about New 4-H paper first of its kind for student journalists
Post-Dispatch, Tribune haven’t caught up with EU rules
When stricter data protection and online privacy regulations went into effect in the European Union earlier this year, American news organizations had to adapt their websites or risk hefty fines if they wanted to share their content overseas. Many media organizations, including the Washington Post, New York Times and NPR, made the necessary changes to keep readers (and … [Read more...] about Post-Dispatch, Tribune haven’t caught up with EU rules
When Trump attacks: a surreal moment for American journalists
At a campaign rally in Montana on Oct. 18, U.S. President Donald Trump openly praised a politician who assaulted a journalist. There is not a single word in that sentence that could be described as fake news. Trump was in Montana. There was a campaign rally. And video and audio reports, including one from Fox News, captured him lauding Rep. Greg Gianforte for an incident in … [Read more...] about When Trump attacks: a surreal moment for American journalists
Illinois’ Public Access Counselor frustratingly slow; AG candidates promise changes
The public ambulance service in the small northwestern Illinois village of Hanover was used to working in private. When Galena Gazette reporter Dan Burke asked its governing board for meeting agendas and minutes, it refused. When citizens asked for a budget, personnel qualifications and a list of purchases, it also refused. Citizens’ rights to demand information In … [Read more...] about Illinois’ Public Access Counselor frustratingly slow; AG candidates promise changes