Category Archives: Press Release

Good Judgment Prevailed as Congress Rejected a Move to Assert Government Control Over the Content of News

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national public radio
NPR STATEMENT ON THE HOUSE REJECTION OF AN ATTEMPT TO PROHIBIT FEDERAL FUNDING FOR NPR
November 18, 2010; Washington, D.C. – Today, good judgment prevailed as Congress rejected a move to assert government control over the content of news.

The proposal to prohibit public radio stations from using CPB grants to purchase NPR programming is an unwarranted attempt to interject federal authority into local station program decision-making. Furthermore, restrictions on the authority of CPB – a Congressionally chartered, independent non-profit organization – to make competitive grants to NPR, or any other public broadcasting entity, is misguided.

For more than forty years, the federal government has provided financial support for public broadcasting – to serve the public interest with essential educational, news and cultural programming that commercial interests neglect.

America’s independent, locally governed and managed public radio stations have always had the freedom to make programming decisions based on the needs of their audience and local community. The separation between funding and funders and content decisions is a widely respected, long held and fundamental standard of a free press.

In an increasingly fractious media environment, public radio’s value in fostering an informed society has never been more critical. Our growing audience shows that we are meeting that need. It is imperative for federal funding to continue to ensure that this essential tool of democracy remains available to all Americans and thrives well into the future.

-NPR-

NPR Media Relations: Anna Christopher 202.513.2304 / achristopher@npr.org

“The Giant Pool Of Money” – Top Ten Works Of Journalism Of This Decade

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“THE GIANT POOL OF MONEY” DISTINGUISHED BY NYU

AS ONE OF THE TOP TEN WORKS OF JOURNALISM OF THIS DECADE

CHICAGO PUBLIC RADIO’S THIS AMERICAN LIFE AND NPR SHARE HONOR

FOR LAUDED EXPLAINER OF SUBPRIME MORTGAGE CRISIS

April 5, 2010; Washington, D.C. – It was a compelling, even humorous, hour of radio, making sense of the mortgage crisis and Wall Street turmoil, and in the process creating one of the finest pieces of explanatory journalism on the economy – months ahead of its collapse. Now, “The Giant Pool of Money,” an hour-long documentary co-produced by NPR News and This American Life from Chicago Public Radio and distributed by Public Radio International, has been named one of the decade’s best.

New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute announced today that “The Giant Pool of Money” was selected as one of the Top Ten Works of Journalism of the Decade in the United States. “Giant Pool” is ranked fourth on the list and the only broadcast piece cited out of all ten works. The works were selected by the NYU journalism faculty and a panel of outside judges representing media, the non-profit sector, philanthropy and academia. The full list is available at: http://journalism.nyu.edu/decade/

“The Giant Pool of Money” was reported by NPR economics correspondent Adam Davidson, This American Life producer Alex Blumberg and host Ira Glass, and aired on that program in May 2008. With personal narratives and memorable storytelling, Davidson, Blumberg and Glass told the story of the housing crisis, mortgage backed securities and the collapse of the banking system in a way that made sense. The program was heralded as “a brilliant piece” by the Columbia Journalism Review, TIME wrote of “a riveting narrative with distinct characters and plot twists” and it earned Peabody, duPont-Columbia and George Polk awards. “Giant Pool” was cited by the Peabody committee as “impressive for the arresting clarity of its explanation of the financial crisis we’re in, and even more so for its having aired so early – in May 2008.”

“’Giant Pool’ forever changed how we approach storytelling. To take something so complex and make it relatable, even entertaining – it struck just the right chord at the perfect time,” says Ellen Weiss, Senior Vice President for NPR News. “We are incredibly humbled to be included among the works on this list, and thank NYU for such an honor.”

The success of “Giant Pool” led to the creation of NPR’s Planet Money, a multimedia reporting project led by Davidson and Blumberg, covering the global economy on radio and through a blog, podcast and social media (all available at www.npr.org/money). It launched, by coincidence, on the first day of the acute financial crisis – September 7, 2008 – and has since established itself as the place for clear and innovative financial reporting. The Planet Money team regularly reports for NPR and This American Life, has recently covered Haiti’s post-earthquake economy and is following the progress of its very own toxic asset – purchased to help track how the housing bust is playing out.

-NPR-

NPR News with three 2010 Gracie Awards for outstanding series, documentary and podcast

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February 24, 2010; Washington, D.C. – The American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT) is honoring NPR News with three 2010 Gracie Awards® for outstanding series, documentary and podcast, it was announced today. Earning awards are the documentary series “The Science of Spirituality” from religion correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty; a two-part report from Kabul correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson on wide-spread drug addiction in Afghanistan; and the Culturetopia podcast, hosted by arts reporter Neda Ulaby and blogger Linda Holmes. The Gracie Awards recognize and encourage the realistic representation of women in the news and entertainment.

Winning a Gracie Award for “Outstanding Documentary” is “The Science of Spirituality,” a five-part series reported by religion correspondent Barbara Bradley Hagerty in May 2009 on All Things Considered. Based on her book Fingerprints of God, the series delves into burgeoning research studying the human brain to look for evidence of a spiritual world and the new technologies being used to document it. Whether donning a “God helmet,” exploring how prayer affects the brain or examining the neural changes caused by near-death experiences, Hagerty finds that people are experiencing something profound – divine or not. Sharing the award are Cindy Johnston, editor, and web editors Erin Killian and Maria Godoy. The entire series is at: www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104257486

NPR’s Afghanistan correspondent Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson earns the award in the “Outstanding Series” category for her April 2009 two-part story on the growing number of Afghans escaping the pain of war and poverty by turning to the plentiful and cheap supply of heroin and opium in their country. In the series, she details how a combination of factors – including the war, unemployment and returning Afghan refugees from Iran – are creating and perpetuating a vicious cycle of addiction with little treatment resources available. Among the powerful portraits captured by Sarhaddi Nelson are a 30-year-old mother of six that feeds her drug habit at the expense of her children, and a nine-year-old boy trying to kick his two-year heroin addiction. The award is shared with series editor Douglas Roberts. The reports and accompanying online material are available at npr.org:

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102984398&ps=rs

NPR Arts Reporter Neda Ulaby and Monkey See blogger Linda Holmes’ Culturetopia podcast takes home the Gracie Award for “Outstanding Podcast.” Culturetopia encapsulates the week’s news in books, movie, television, music and media. Every Wednesday, Ulaby, Holmes and guests offer a rundown of notable arts coverage from across NPR News shows, providing additional insights into many of the stories. Executive Producer Sara Sarasohn and Producer Michael Katzif are also honored with the award. Download Culturetopia at NPR’s podcast directory:

http://www.npr.org/rss/podcast/podcast_detail.php?siteId=89697153

The 35th Annual Gracie Awards will be presented at a gala on May 25 in Los Angeles. The Gracies are granted by AWRT, a charitable non-profit supporting educational programs, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, mass media and allied field. NPR has been the recipient of 13 Gracie Awards since 2002.

Tewspaper: Crowdsourced News Via Twitter and Social Media

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Tewspaper pulls information from user contributions on social media websites and creates a topically sorted newspaper. At launch, the website has five local websites covering Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York City. Each local site also has national news coverage in a variety of subjects such as business, entertainment, and sports.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) August 25, 2009 — Tewspaper, an online newspaper without writers, has launched with coverage of five major metropolitan cities – Baltimore, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City. Tewspaper scours social media websites such as Twitter and filters messages down to breaking news. One of the local sites, Baltimore News, brings algorithmically filtered news to people in Tewspaper’s home town.

Tewspaper is neither endorsed nor sponsored by Twitter or other social media websites; the company uses publicly available APIs to connect with social media sites and find relevant data. One of Tewspaper’s innovations is a system of filtering through the obscure and finding the relevant news on social media sites. For example, Twitter alone has over 2 billion messages, and is growing by thousands of messages per minute. Tewspaper makes it easy to find out what is happening now, in an organized, succinct, and accessible fashion. It is an ideal way for the Internet generation, who text and tweet, to view the news at their rapidly moving pace.

“We began by limiting the news to trusted authorities on Twitter. From there, we are working on an algorithm that can find additional breaking news from anyone on Twitter and other websites as it happens,” said Jared Lamb, the creator of Tewspaper.

Another obstacle Tewspaper had to overcome was the limited content it could locate for each story. To solve this problem, the website automatically matches images to related stories. Tewspaper determines the optimal image to display for every story based upon the author, subject, headline text, date, links, and other context.

Other local editions are available for Chicago News, Los Angeles News, Dallas News, and New York City News.

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Contact Information
Jared Lamb
Tewspaper
http://www.tewspaper.com
443-857-4829

NPR News Special Coverage Of Life, Career Of Senator Edward M. Kennedy

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MEDIA ADVISORY:

NPR NEWS SPECIAL COVERAGE OF LIFE, CAREER
OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY

NPR OFFERING TWO HOUR-LONG SPECIALS TODAY AT 2PM AND 7PM,
CONTINUING COVERAGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON-AIR AND AT NPR.org

August 26, 2009; Washington, D.C. – NPR News will offer two special programs today looking at the life and career of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who died last night of complications related to a cancerous brain tumor. Both specials will be broadcast on NPR Member stations nationwide, and will be streamed live at NPR.org. For local stations and broadcast times, visit NPR.org/stations.

From 2:00PM to 3:00PM (ET), NPR congressional correspondent Andrea Seabrook will host an hour-long call-in special. Seabrook will interview guests about Kennedy’s life of service and influential career in the Senate, and invite questions from the audience. Guests include Congressman Barney Frank, former U.S. Senator John Sununu, professor and scholar Ronald Walters and Thomas Oliphant, who covered Kennedy for 40 years for the Boston Globe. Listeners may join the conversation by calling (800) 989-8255 or sending an email to talk@npr.org

Beginning at 7:00PM (ET), NPR will explore Kennedy’s life – his role as a legislative lion in the Senate; his focus on civil rights, and on fighting for the disenfranchised; and his personal life and struggles – in an hour-long program. Host Linda Wertheimer will be joined by a roundtable offering political analysis on the legacy Kennedy leaves behind, with legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg, senior news analyst Juan Williams, health policy correspondent Julie Rovner and political editor Ken Rudin.

In addition to these specials, NPR will continue to cover the breaking news of Kennedy’s death throughout the day on all of its news programs, and online at NPR.org, where there is a complete obituary, a timeline of Kennedy’s life and archival interviews with the late senator.

-NPR-

NPR LAUNCHES A NEW NPR.ORG AND EXPANDS MOBILE APPS, BRINGING AWARD-WINNING NEWS, PROGRAMS AND STATIONS CLOSER TO ONLINE AND MOBILE AUDIENCES

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Washington, D.C., – July 27, 2009 – Today, NPR announced two major steps in the expansion of its digital services — the relaunch of its Web site today at www.NPR.org, which makes it easier to combine listening and reading, follow breaking news, comment on NPR’s work and share it and find programming from NPR Member stations — and the development of new NPR News mobile applications for smart phones.

The relaunched Web site – now live at www.NPR.org – is organized to highlight News, Arts & Life and Music, reflecting both NPR’s reporting strengths and the interests of the audience. The redesigned home page makes it easy to follow the news throughout the day, with the top stories updated regularly and featured prominently, and up-to-the-minute discussions of the day’s news easily accessible at NPR’s news blog “The Two-Way.” The site also offers a new search tool powered by Google that allows users to find their favorite program or topic faster. A video hosted by NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon demonstrates the features of the new site.

The site allows for enhanced visual storytelling, offering more photos, images and graphics, and better integration of text and audio content. Audio options are presented more prominently throughout the site and allow fans to organize the various ways to listen to NPR — through their favorite NPR station, live stream or via podcast. Visitors can localize their homepage to receive a mix of local and national news feeds, streams and podcasts in a convenient location near the top of each page. With the relaunch of the site, NPR has also elected to drop fees for transcripts; the public can now access free transcripts dating back to May 2005 on most programs and news stories.

“We’re making it easier for the public to find our stations, listen to NPR programs, and follow the news throughout the day,” said Vivian Schiller, NPR’s President and CEO. “With many traditional news outlets declining, listeners are depending more on NPR and our member stations to meet their information needs on every platform. The new NPR.org and our strong push into mobile applications will take public radio to the next level of audience service.”

The mobile apps being developed will rely on NPR’s open application programming interface (Open API) that launched in July 2008. The API allows users, developers and NPR stations full access to NPR’s current and archived content to create new ways to integrate and share NPR news and programs.

NPR Member station WBUR also relaunched its Web site today using NPR’s API. Sam Fleming, WBUR’s managing director of news and programming, noted, “I am so excited about the API system…our site is only possible because of NPR.”

The NPR News App currently under development for the iTunes App Store will offer iPhone and iPod touch users the opportunity to both read and listen to NPR’s news coverage; curate their own audio playlists; tune in and bookmark a favorite station for its live and on-demand streams; and listen to the most recent stories from NPR’s newsmagazine, talk and cultural programs. NPR serves more mobile web pages to the iPhone than to any other device.

These announcements coincide with near record on-air, online, mobile and social media audience growth over the past year with 27.5 million listeners tuning in each week to NPR programs, podcast downloads up 34% year over year, nine million unique visitors accessing NPR.org each month and the NPR Politics Twitter account reaching one million followers in June.

More NPR announcements will be made in the upcoming weeks and months as each application becomes available to the public.

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About NPR:

NPR is an award-winning, multimedia news organization and an influential force in American life. In collaboration with more than 880 independent public radio stations nationwide, NPR strives to create a more informed public – one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures. With more than 90 podcasts, NPR is the most successful podcaster among American media companies. Its 24/7 NPR Worldwide program stream reaches listeners in more than 100 countries. NPR Music, in partnership with leading music stations, is a free music discovery web site that offers live performances, studio sessions, first listens to new albums, blogs and features spanning all music genres. Since its launch in 1970, NPR has become a leader in representation and technology development in the public media community, assuring that the unique mission of nonprofit public media is preserved and grows.

NPR CEO VIVIAN SCHILLER ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF WALTER CRONKITE

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NPR CEO VIVIAN SCHILLER ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING THE PASSING OF WALTER CRONKITE

July 18, 2009

Walter Cronkite’s passing today marks the loss of the ultimate reliable source, the nation’s narrator and the standard by which all other TV news anchors are judged. It also marks the loss of a special friend to NPR. For six years, in a series of occasional essays for NPR, Walter Cronkite offered his unique perspective on news events he reported on over the past century that still resonate today. Beginning on December 7, 2001, on the 60th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Cronkite reflected on the lone dissenter in the Congressional vote to declare war — political pioneer Jeanette Rankin — and how another lone dissenting vote granting President Bush added powers to hunt Osama bin Laden echoes Rankin’s own vote. In another essay, Cronkite told the story behind his initial experience as a TV network anchorman. It happened in 1952 in Chicago, Ill., at the first-ever nationally televised political convention for the Republican Party. Later that summer, Cronkite handled the same chore at the Democratic session. Although he’d never attended a political convention — or done national TV — he was a hit. Walter Cronkite always used history to provide context and understanding and NPR was proud and honored to offer this distinguished veteran journalist an outlet for his work late in his career and to introduce him to a new generation of news consumers who were grateful for his wisdom and perspective from such a remarkable career covering the world.

You can hear all of Walter Cronkite’s unique essays on NPR:

http://www.npr.org/news/specials/cronkite/

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6711860

Irwin Hodson Press Announces Their Climate Neutral Printing Certification

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For immediate release

Portland, 1st of May, 2009

Irwin Hodson Press Announces Their Climate Neutral Printing Certification.
How does it feel to print climate neutrally? Innovative and responsible

Irwin Hodson Press can now offer its clients climate neutral print products. Hereby, all CO2-emissions evolving in the course of a print job will be calculated and neutralized by emission certificates from acknowledged climate protection projects. For Irwin Hodson Press, the possibility to print climate neutrally was yet another step in a broad sustainability strategy. Thereby the focus will continue to be on additional long-term development of the company’s internal environment philosophy and the diminution of the impacts on the climate.

From the carbon footprint to a climate neutral print product
Due to a large sense of responsibility, it is important for Irwin Hodson Press to keep the entry of environmentally relevant greenhouse gases as low as possible. In a printing plant CO2-emissions evolve in the course of the usage of energy, transports, paper, inks, coatings and other factors. The ClimatePartner California Inc. has calculated all the emerging CO2-emissions for the whole company [carbon footprint] and presents guidance for the reduction of emissions by means of the results. With an individualized emission calculator Irwin Hodson Press can report to their client the amount of emissions produced per print project. As an additional service, the emissions can be neutralized by investing in high quality emission-reduction-certificates from acknowledged climate protection projects.  Therefore every brochure, catalog, poster, etc can be printed climate neutrally. Continue reading →

NPR Wins Seven Webby Awards For Radio, Music, Mobile and Podcasts

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NPR TOPS ALL OTHER MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS WITH SEVEN WEBBY AWARDS

NPR HONORED BY WEBBY MEMBERSHIP FOR NPR.org, NPR MUSIC, NPR MOBILE

AND VIDEO DOCUMENTARY SERIES “PROJECT SONG”;

NPR.org, NPR MUSIC AND NPR PODCASTS WIN PUBLIC COMPETITION

May 5, 2009; Washington, D.C. – NPR has been honored with seven awards in the 13th annual Webby Awards – more than any other news organization – for NPR.org, NPR Music, mobile and podcasts, it was announced today. NPR was chosen as “Best Radio Site,” “Best Music Site,” “Best Mobile News” and “Best Music Online Video” among the Webby’s digital media membership, and “Best Radio Site,” “Best Music Site” and “Best Podcasts” in the Webby’s public competition.

Continue reading →

PRINT OR DIGITAL MEDIA – WHICH IS MORE SUSTAINABLE?

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THE BIG DEBATE: PRINT OR DIGITAL MEDIA – WHICH IS MORE SUSTAINABLE?

Strategic Business Leaders with answers to address The Green Media Conference

MERCER ISLAND, WA – April 29, 2009 – Which is more sustainable, physical mail or email, a magazine page or a web page, a book or an ebook? Which has the larger carbon footprint and what is the risk to a brand if their messaging says one thing and their media supply chain choices say another? Publishers, advertisers, marketers and supply chain professionals are increasingly being challenged to make decisions that address climate change and that are consistent with the principles of sustainability.

Carbon Dioxide has been ruled a pollutant dangerous to human life by the EPA, climate change legislation is pending in congress, and the leaders of 192 nations, including the US, China and India, will meet in Copenhagen this December to agree on a climate treaty to succeed the Kyoto Protocol. With an eye to the future, what efforts can be taken to measure the carbon footprints and otherwise qualify and quantify arguments for the sustainability of print and/or digital media? Continue reading →

O’REILLY releases The Twitter Book

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The Twitter Book by Tim O’Reilly & Sarah Milstein
–New from O’Reilly

The Definitive Guide to the Planet’s Most Useful  & Effective Communications Channel

Sebastopol, CA—Given the intense media spotlight shining on Twitter right now, chances are if you haven’t twittered yet, you’re probably considering it. Even Oprah twittered for the first time recently and Twitter traffic surged 43 percent as a result. Continue reading →

ROBERT C. TAPELLA, PUBLIC PRINTER OF THE UNITED STATES, TO KEYNOTE THE GREEN MEDIA CONFERENCE JUNE 9 IN WASHINGTON, DC

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ROBERT C. TAPELLA, PUBLIC PRINTER OF THE UNITED STATES, TO KEYNOTE
THE GREEN MEDIA CONFERENCE JUNE 9 IN WASHINGTON, DC

Tapella to Address the Government Printing Office’s Efforts Towards Green, Sustainable Media

Highlights:

1. The impact of the GPO’s efforts – and their 2000 affiliate printers – will set a new agenda for the printing industry.
2. Government agencies & independent printers will report their carbon footprint of their business and their products
3. Tapella will outline GPO’s plans in his keynote address at The Green Media Conference, June 9 in Washington, DC.

MERCER ISLAND, WA – April 9, 2009 – Lisa Wellman, CEO of SustainCommWorld announced today that Robert C. Tapella, Public Printer of the United States, will keynote their event, The Green Media Conference, June 9 in Washington, DC at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Mr. Tapella will be discussing the role of the Government Printing Office (GPO) in greening the communications of the federal government, both print and digital. The keynote speaker for the June 23 Chicago conference will be announced shortly. Continue reading →

NPR Labs Launches CPB-Funded Study on Power Increase for HD Radio

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NPR Labs Launches CPB-Funded Study on Power Increase for HD Radio TM

Challenge is to Improve Digital Radio Coverage

and Protect Today’s Analog FM Services

April 2, 2009, Washington – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has awarded a grant to NPR Labs to undertake an expedited Advanced Digital Radio Coverage and Compatibility Study to improve innovative HD Radio TM services. The study will establish industry recommendations for the amount of power increase needed to improve digital radio coverage while protecting the existing analog FM system and its subcarriers, which serve more than 32 million public radio and 239 million total FM radio listeners each week. (Source: ACT1 based on Arbitron Nationwide, Persons Using Radio, Fall 2008, Persons 12+, Mon.-Sun Midnight-Midnight)

The new study will seek to determine how to maximize HD coverage while minimizing interference with essential analog FM radio services.  It will build on earlier research by NPR Labs of digital radio coverage, also funded by CPB. The earlier study revealed that FM services would experience a high level of interference from HD signals in some areas, if the needed power increase was not closely managed.

“We’re pleased CPB has selected NPR Labs to expedite a detailed technical analysis so we can resolve these critical issues,” said Vivian Schiller, NPR President and CEO. “NPR is committed to advancing HD Radio TM and protecting the quality of the listening experience for all of our audiences.  If the power increase is not carefully managed, NPR member stations risk losing audience to signal interference.”      Continue reading →

What Would Jay Rosen Do? Huffington Post Taps Rosen as Senior Advisor

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THE HUFFINGTON POST TO LAUNCH NONPROFIT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM VENTURE

THE AMERICAN NEWS PROJECT AND THE ATLANTIC PHILANTHROPIES JOIN HUFFPOST IN BACKING FUND

Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism at Columbia University School of Journalism
To Collaborate with Fund By Involving Students in Investigative Projects

(New York, NY) — March 29, 2009 — The Huffington Post announced today that it is launching a new initiative to produce a wide range of investigative journalism — The Huffington Post Investigative Fund. It is being funded by The Huffington Post and The Atlantic Philanthropies, and will be headed by Nick Penniman, founder of The American News Project, which will be folded into the Investigative Fund.

“The importance of investigative journalism cannot be overstated — especially during our tumultuous times — and we are delighted to be creating an initiative whose goal is to produce stories that will have a real impact both nationally and locally,” said Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post. “Everyone who recognizes the role good journalism plays in our democracy is looking for ways to preserve it during this time of great transition for the media. The Huffington Post Investigative Fund is one of the ways we are addressing that need, while also providing work and a platform for seasoned journalists downsized by major media outlets. We are grateful to the American News Project and The Atlantic Philanthropies for their generous contributions, and intend to engage with other donors as we continue to expand the Fund.”

Kenneth Lerer, co-founder and chairman of The Huffington Post, said, “There is no more critical reporting than investigative journalism. This nonprofit investigative journalism venture is a very important and logical next step for The Huffington Post. Our mission will be to produce and distribute distinguished, independent journalism made widely-available to all news outlets. We are proud to be working with our prestigious partners and look forward to expanding and building upon this venture with other investigative news organizations from around the country, and the world.”

The Huffington Post Investigative Fund, headquartered in Washington, DC, will produce a broad range of investigative journalism created by both staff reporters and freelance writers, with a focus on working with the many experienced reporters and writers impacted by the economic contraction. The pieces will range from long-form investigations to short breaking news stories and will be presented in a variety of media — including text, audio and video — and will be free for any media outlet to publish simultaneously. The Huffington Post Investigative Fund will have an initial budget of $1.75 million.

Nick Penniman, Executive Director of the Huffington Post Investigative Fund, said: “I’m looking forward to producing journalism that can have an impact, and that incorporates the best of traditional journalism and the tools of new media and distributed journalism.”

Jay Rosen, associate professor of journalism at New York University’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, will serve as a senior advisor to the project. Rosen, as a director of NewAssignment.Net, his research project at NYU, previously collaborated with The Huffington Post on OffTheBus — an experiment in citizen journalism that drew 12,000 contributors and gained widespread media attention for its coverage of the 2008 campaign. Continue reading →

NPR Wins 2008 Scripps Award for Excellence in Radio Reporting

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NPR NEWS WINS 2008 SCRIPPS HOWARD FOUNDATION

NATIONAL JOURNALISM AWARD

FOR FOUR-PART SERIES “DIRTY MONEY”

 

NPR’S JOHN BURNETT RECEIVES JACK R. HOWARD AWARD,

MARKING EXCELLENCE IN RADIO REPORTING

 

March 13, 2009; Washington, D.C. – NPR News has been honored with the Scripps Howard Foundation’s National Journalism Foundation Award for “Dirty Money,” an enterprising four-part series investigating the drug money that flows along America’s highways from NPR News correspondent John Burnett.  Burnett shares the 2008 Jack R. Howard Award for “Excellence in Radio Reporting” with National Desk Editor Quinn O’Toole, National Desk Producer Marisa Penaloza and Digital News Editor Tanya Ballard-Brown.  The Jack R. Howard Award recognizes and celebrates the year’s best work in journalism.

The series, which aired in June 2008 on NPR News’ Morning Edition, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition, examined law enforcement’s pursuit of suspected drug money, which they can confiscate without filing charges against the person carrying it.  Local police and sheriffs get to keep a portion of the cash.  Complete audio of the award-winning series is available at:www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91856663

With reporting in Texas, Alabama and Georgia, Burnett revealed that some local law enforcement agencies have become more interested in seizing money than stopping the flow of drugs. Burnett found case after case of misused forfeiture funds, with departments using the money to pay for awards banquets and Christmas parties, leases of vehicles and a margarita machines.

Burnett is no stranger to covering the drug war.  In 2007, he was the lead reporter on NPR News’ 7-part series “The Forgotten War,” which examined the state of America’s war on drugs.  His “Cocaine Republics” series in 2004 detailed the emergence of Central America as a major drug smuggling region.

The 55th annual National Journalism Awards will be presented at a ceremony on April 24 in Washington, D.C. The National Journalism Awards are granted by the Scripps Howard Foundation, recognizing and aiming to advance the free press through excellence in journalism.  This is the second National Journalism Award for NPR.

 

-NPR-

Metaprinter to Attend Inaugural mediaXchange Conference 2009

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Metaprinter.com founder and senior writer Robert Ivan will be attending NAA’s mediaXchange this March, live blogging via twitter and updating daily at this blog.  Email robert to set up an interview or to showcase your innovative new product or service.  Readers are also encouraged to send robert questions, comments, and suggestions: robert at metaprinter dot com OR twitter.com/metaprinter. 

 

NAA Previews Inaugural mediaXchange Conference

Premier industry gathering focuses on future business models, multiplatform strategies

Arlington, Va. – Newspaper professionals from across the country will attend the Newspaper Association of America’s first annual mediaXchange Conference March 9-11 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The conference marks an increased focus on emerging digital infrastructure, and will allow attendees to share audience and revenue development strategies that have generated growth in print and online.

“As newspapers reinvent their business models and focus on monetizing digital content, NAA’s inaugural mediaXchange event will allow attendees to share success stories and revenue-generating ideas that are effective now and well into the future,” said NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm. “The opportunity for newspaper professionals to share audience and revenue development strategies, network with key newspaper advertising customers and listen to experts both inside and outside our industry will prove invaluable for those in attendance.”

This year’s show floor will feature 220 exhibitors that serve all facets of the industry – from production and digital platforms to advertising solutions. More than 40 of these companies will be exhibiting with NAA for the first time.

Conference Highlights:

March 9: Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com
Under Tony Hsieh’s leadership, the online show store zappos.com has grown gross merchandise sales from $1.6 million in 2000 to $840 million in 2007 by focusing relentlessly on customer service. Hsieh will share his experiences providing a culture that promotes excellence in customer service, a key component to this remarkable success story.

March 10: Future Business Models
In this session, Jim Chisholm, principal at iMedia Advisory Services, will share his findings and recommendations from a comprehensive analysis on newspaper financial models for the future. Afterwards, newspaper executives who are rethinking the traditional publishing model will share the strategies and results from product transformations at their own companies.

March 11: A Conversation with Lee Abrams
The Tribune Company over the past 12 months has moved aggressively to transform their product strategies and remake the traditional newspapers, including re-designs, shifting the editorial/advertising ratio, re-thinking content focus/presentation, launching companion tabloid products, breaking news sites and other innovations. Lee Abrams, Tribune’s chief innovation officer, has been the provocateur for many of the changes.

Full information on the conference, including programming and registration details, is available at mediaXchange.naa.org.

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NPR NEWS CAPTURES 18 PRESTIGIOUS VISUAL JOURNALISM AWARDS

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npr

WHITE HOUSE NEWS PHOTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATION BESTOWS “THE EYES OF HISTORY” AWARDS ON NPR JOURNALISTS

February 25, 2009; Washington, D.C. – NPR News has earned 18 honors in the 2009 White House News Photographers Association’s The Eyes of History awards.  The annual awards, announced earlier this week, recognize outstanding achievements in photojournalism.

NPR journalists were recognized in 12 separate categories, more than any other broadcast news media, with three first place awards in the following categories: New Media’s “Best Use of Photography and Audio with Narration,” Still Photography’s “Best Picture in Story/Politics,” and Video Editing’s “Sports.”

The awards will be presented at a White House News Photographers Association gala in Washington, D.C., on May 30, 2009, where the award-winning photographs and videos will be displayed.

The Eyes of History awards honoring the best in photojournalism were established as an annual contest in 1941 by the White House News Photographers Association, founded 20 years earlier.  The awards provide a historical look back on the year, with photos portraying compelling, interesting and memorable coverage of events in Washington and around the world.

Awards won by NPR are outlined below.  To view NPR’s winning entries visit: http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2009/02/whnpa_contest_winners.html Continue reading →

Increasing Revenue Via Online Contests – Free Webinar to be Hosted by Borrell Associates and Second Street Media

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                          

Contacts:
Callaway Zuccarello                                                                       
Callaway & Company
Phone: 314.862.4300                       
E-mail: callaway@secondstreetmedia.com

Peter Conti
Borrell Associates
804.360.9434
pconti@borrellassociates.com            

“Online Promotions to Triple by 2012 – Are You Ready to Profit?” Free Webinar to be Hosted by Borrell Associates and Second Street Media

   Continue reading →

Ink Savings of up to 30% from TGLC

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New Colour Profile for Printed Projects – Press Release

Cascades

Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, January 27, 2009 – Paper is an important factor in reproducing colours and projects must be carefully managed to achieve optimal results. Cascades, in conjunction with Québec based TGLC, has developed a new tool to facilitate the printing process for projects on Rolland Enviro100 Print paper.

The ICC (International Color Consortium) colour profile optimally separates colours and shows them as they will actually appear on press. This is achieve by taking into account the specifics of the paper and type of printing process chosen, being web or sheet-fed. Used at the design stage or during the printer’s pre-press, the colour profile provides better consistency throughout the project.

In addition to being a really simple method for obtaining optimal colour output, using the colour profile has several advantages in the printing process. Colours on the press can be adjusted much quicker and colour stability during printing is better, which result in less paper being wasted. Using the right quantity of ink also provides substantial ink savings of up to 30%.

This project is in line with Cascades vision to do more and better with less. The colour profile allows for efficient use of paper, with less ink and less waste. Therefore, the colour profile means cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint.

For more information and to obtain the colour profile, visit www.environmentalbychoice.com.

Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. is a Canadian leader in environmental and security fine papers manufacturing, with a century-long reputation for craftsmanship. Environmental by choice, the Group produces fine papers that contain 30% and 100% post-consumer fibre and works on an ongoing basis to reduce our ecological footprint on the planet. By buying recycled- content paper, you help us save more than 1.2 million trees each year.

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Contact:
Julie Loyer
Communication Advisor
(514) 232-4022
Julie_loyer@cascades.com

More information from TGLC web site: CLICK HERE

The Poynter Institute and NewsU Present Semantic Web For Journalists Webinar

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Register now for Wednesday’s Webinar and be ready for the future of the Web.

Advances in the Semantic Web will dramatically change digital news for journalists. You’ll have the power to go beyond simple “tagging” and build rich connections among all your content: articles, images, motion and audio. But how can online journalists consistently and comprehensively semantically tag and, more importantly, semantically associate assets? How can you thrive in the Semantic Web?

Join digital consultant Diane Burley at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, Jan. 28 for Discover Your Missing Links: The Semantic Web: An ONAvation Webinar with Poynter/NewsU. This one-hour Webinar, in partnership with the Online News Association and Poynter’s NewsU, will address powerful ways to make the connections you need with your readers. You’ll explore how the Semantic Web can transform the way readers find what they are looking for online — whether they know what they are looking for it or not.

Register now for Discover Your Missing Links: The Semantic Web: An ONAvation Webinar with Poynter/NewsU. This Webinar is part of Digital January, featuring a month of online training from The Poynter Institute and NewsU. To learn more about all of our Webinars, please visit webinars.newsu.org.

Sun-Times Media Group Announces Innovative Changes to The Courier News

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Chicago’s Premier Newspaper Group Announces A New, Reader-Friendly
Format, A Refreshing New Design And A Pledge To Increase Local News
Coverage in the Elgin, Illinois, Area
CHICAGO, Dec 26, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

Sun-Times Media Group, Inc. (OTCBB:SUTM), continuing its commitment to being the Chicago area’s best source of local news and information, announced today some exciting new format changes to The Courier News, the daily newspaper of record for Elgin, Illinois, and surrounding communities. Continue reading →

Metaprinter Founder Robert Ivan Starts Newspaper Professionals Group on KIVA.org

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Just because our industry is in transition, doesn’t mean we are indifferent to the plight of others. We seek peace on earth and good will towards all human kind.  With this and the holidays in mind…

I want to recruit you to my lending team, Newspaper Professionals, on Kiva, a non-profit website that allows you to lend as little as $25 to a specific low-income entrepreneur in the developing world. You choose who to lend to – whether a baker in Afghanistan, a goat herder in Uganda, a farmer in Peru, a restaurateur in Cambodia, or a tailor in Iraq – and as they repay the loan, you get your money back.

If you join my lending team, we can work together to alleviate poverty. Once you’re a part of the team, you can choose to have a future loan on Kiva “count” towards our team’s impact. The loan is still yours, and repayments still come to you – but you can also choose to have the loan show up in our team’s collective portfolio, so our team’s overall impact will grow!

Check out the Newspaper Professionals lending team, and learn more about lending teams on Kiva in general, by clicking here: http://www.kiva.org/team/newspaper_professionals.

Thanks,
Robert Ivan

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Download a PDF of this release

800 Newspapers From NewspaperDirect Now Available on iRex Digital Reader, Featuring ‘Electronic Paper’ Display

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By offering people a wide range of popular handheld devices on which they can read their favorite newspapers, NewspaperDirect gives publishers more ways to reach their readers.
Source: NewspaperDirect Official Release

Monte-Carlo, Monaco, November 12, 2008 — NewspaperDirect Inc., the world leader in multi-channel newspaper and magazine content distribution and monetization, is introducing its PressDisplay.com online news portal on the iRex digital reader at this year’s Monaco Media Forum, held this week in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. PressDisplay.com’s PressReader software will run on the iRex Digital Reader 1000 series, allowing readers to download their favorite daily newspapers in a matter of seconds and read them at their leisure.

With newspaper publishers facing mounting pressure to cut costs while maintaining their circulation, PressDisplay.com and the other distribution channels offered by NewspaperDirect (which include libraries, hotels, cruise ships and a range of custom-publishing solutions) are providing them with more ways to reach their readers. The iRex DR1000 is a sleek and lightweight portable digital reader featuring the world’s largest electronic paper display. The 10-inch screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper, unlike the strain and glare of a computer screen.

PressReader software on the iRex digital reader puts 800+ full-replica newspapers in your hand.With official release in December 2008, the iRex DR1000 will join a growing list of handheld devices on which PressDisplay.com is available, offering 800+ newspapers and magazines from 80+ countries. These include Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, BlackBerry and numerous smartphones.

“The DR1000 series equipped with NewspaperDirect’s PressReader software will offer readers an unparalleled digital newspaper reading experience with the feel of reading a real paper,” said Hans Brons, CEO of iRex. “We are pleased to be able to enhance our long-standing relationship with the newspaper industry by offering a unique reading platform to make publishers’ content available to a potentially untapped new audience.”

As with all its content distribution solutions, PressDisplay.com for iRex is available at no additional cost to publishers. NewspaperDirect’s technology taps into the pre-press workflow of any publishing system, making it possible for NewspaperDirect to extract rich digital content that can be repurposed for use in a variety of distribution channels. NewspaperDirect provides full hosting, payment acceptance, customer service management and technical support.

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