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Your connection to industry & member news | Sept. 17, 2020
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SCPA presents collegiate, associate and advertising awards
Here's the schedule for the remainder of awards:- Weekly Awards Presentation – Starts at 4 p.m. Thursday on Facebook Live
- Daily Awards Presentation – Friday at 4 p.m. on Facebook Live
Collegiate Top HonorsDuring the Collegiate Awards, SCPA honored Marcus Hamilton of Claflin University as Journalist of the Year in the Under 5,000 Division. In 2019, Hamilton stepped up to become the go-to reporter for The Panther, taking on conventional and special coverage with vigor and coming through in a big way.
He reported on campus administration, student activities and politics for the student newspaper, and even connected with The Times and Democrat to write stories for the local daily. All the while, he served as game announcer for Claflin volleyball and basketball. Judges said this year’s recipient is a to-the-point writer who covered a wide variety of stories.
In the Over 5,000 Division, Anna Sharpe of Winthrop University was named Journalist of the Year. She took on some major issues at Winthrop and fought for openness. Throughout her career, Sharpe has been consistently outstanding in her writing, reporting and editing, and she has demonstrated a determination to fight for information, question authority and demand accountability from those in power. She’s used the FOIA to seek specifics of then Winthrop President Dan Mahony. She also wrote a major enterprise story on sexual assaults on campus that will hopefully lead to better reporting of these crimes. Under her leadership, The Johnsonian has been serious, fun, entertaining and engaging. The paper has consistently reported on real, important news stories. We are also proud to announce that Sharpe has been named the South Carolina Press Association Foundation’s Mundy Scholar for the current academic year.
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Best of Show in the Under 12,000 Division goes to The Journal of Seneca.
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Best of Show in the Over 12,000 Division goes to the Charleston City Paper.
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| PALMY Top HonorsDuring the PALMY Awards, SCPA presented the President’s Awards for Best Overall Advertising to The Post and Courier and Charleston City Paper. These awards are presented to one daily and one weekly newspaper based on number and ranking of awards won, regardless of circulation.
This year’s Best of Show winners were chosen from all first place winning ads in each circulation division. In the Under 12,000 Division, Melissa Bradley and Larry Davidson of The Journal in Seneca won for the M.H. Frank Ltd. ad.
In the Over 12,000 Division, Déla O’Callaghan and Hollie Anderson of Charleston City Paper for The Rarebit's ad.
The 2019 Advertising Designer of the Year is Déla O'Callaghan of Charleston City Paper! (Ads below)
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By Eric P. Robinson, USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications
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| Protect Sources by Not Showing Them?
The past several months of protests in reaction to police shootings have raised several First Amendment issues, including police and protestors physically attacking journalists, police detaining and arresting reporters, and law enforcement agencies seeking media materials such as unpublished photos and unaired television footage in order to identify miscreants.
The latter has led to a current dispute in the Washington state Supreme Court, in which the Seattle Times and several TV stations are refusing to provide their unused photos and footage. Their arguments are based on their rights under Washington’s reporters’ shield law to protect their sources, as well as the general idea that the government should not use the media as surrogates for collecting evidence.
But even when they have not sought outtakes, law enforcement agencies also have routinely been using photos and video that is published, broadcast and/or posted online to identify violent protestors. And even non-violent protestors seen participating in protests and other controversial events have been subject to online and offline harassment, including from opponents who have contacted the participants’ employers and schools and demanded that they be fired or expelled.
So protestors have been responding by hiding their identities. In many cases, this meant wearing masks and neck gaiters before they became widespread ways of limiting Covid-19 transmission and exposure. But for a while now protestors for or against various causes – going back at least to the Occupy Wall Street protests in the early 2010s and protests at the University of Missouri in 2015 – have also been requesting, and in many situations demanding, that they not be photographed.
Legally, the protestors do not have any right to make such a demand. The media do not need someone’s permission to take a photo of them in a public place. While the law recognizes a right to privacy in circumstances and locations in which a person would reasonably expect such privacy, there is no right of privacy for the fact that an individual is present in a public location in which the person can be readily seen. And a person shown at such an event would not have a viable defamation claim for a factual statement that the person was present at a particular event. Read more
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Sponsor Spotlight: Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce/South Carolina's Hammock Coast
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Thanks to Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce/South Carolina's Hammock Coast, our diamond sponsor, for supporting SCPA and our member newspapers!
Contact: Mark A. Stevens, Director of Tourism Development
423-737-6139 (cell)
843-546-8436 (office)
Tell us about your organization: Lodged between Charleston to the South and Myrtle Beach to the north is a charming, never-crowded hamlet known as “South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.”
The quiet beach communities of Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, Murrells Inlet and Garden City beckon visitors to the Hammock Coast, and the cities of Georgetown and Andrews call to history lovers and outdoor adventurists. Each area has its own distinct personality, but when combined as the Hammock Coast, they all form a unique attraction that has drawn visitors for generations.
You’ll find miles of spacious beaches and pristine salt marshes for soaking up the sun, spiriting away on a kayak or catching some fish and blue crabs for dinner.
Pawleys Island is the oldest seaside resort in America. As the birthplace of the rope hammock, relaxation has a long history here. (And gave inspiration to the region’s moniker as the “Hammock Coast.”)
All the beach communities have their own charm and delights. Murrells Inlet, for example, is proudly known as the “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.” Originally a fishing village on a protected inlet, the community boasts some of the best seafood in the South!
Between the business districts of Murrells Inlet and Litchfield are two of the Hammock Coast’s most famous attractions – Brookgreen Gardens and Huntington Beach State Park. Recognized as one of the top birding spots in North America, the state park offers camping and access to a pristine undeveloped beach. Just across U.S. Highway 17 (also known as Ocean Highway) is Brookgreen Gardens, a 9,127-acre botanical and sculpture garden that has drawn visitors from around the world since 1932.
Award-winning golf courses, many built on former rice plantations giving a graciously Southern golf experience, dot the Hammock Coast. Three of Golf Magazines’ “Top 100 You Can Play” are here, in fact. Discover South Carolina’s Hammock Coast.
What services/resources/opportunities can you offer to SCPA member newspapers?
As the county's designated marketing organization, the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce staff provides tourism information about the Hammock Coast. For SCPA members, we provide information, stories, photographs, etc. about our region for reporters and editors. At times, we provide opportunities for reporters to take part in media tours and can, on occasion, set up exclusive tours for a publication looking to feature the Hammock Coast in print and/or online. We facilitate interviews with accommodations partners, local attractions, etc.
What's the most exciting thing going on at your organization?
Being a tourism destination always brings excitement. With miles of unspoiled beaches and waterways, we have been a draw for visitors for generations -- even during COVID-19. In fact, our region is one of the few spots in South Carolina that not only has continued to see a steady stream of visitors, but we've actually had an increase in visitors over last year! We chalk that up to our message of a natural and unspoiled area of America where visitors can feel safe coming to during these uncertain times.
Why do you support SCPA and our member newspapers?
We value the media and its role in our county, state and country. Three members of our staff previously were employed by newspapers. Another member was in broadcasting. And, it should be noted, two of our staff members are former SCPA journalism award winners! (And were members of a staff which won the President's Award, too!)
Fun fact about you and/or your organization:
We could go to the beach every day and call it work, but we don't. We work in front of a computer. Or in a boardroom. Or in a meeting. Or attending a government function. We write stories and take photos. Not too different than what all of you do on a daily basis. Now, when we choose to go to the beach, we go to enjoy it, to embrace it, to marvel at its beauty – just as we know you will if you choose to join us here on South Carolina's Hammock Coast.
Know someone that you’d like SCPA to spotlight? Email us your recommendations.
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Barend promoted to Index-Journal general manager
Pete Barend has been named general manager of the Index-Journal, president and publisher Mundy Burns Price announced.
Barend’s promotion comes at a time when the newspaper is better positioning itself to meet circulation and revenue needs that have changed in recent years, and even more so during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his new role, Barend assumes responsibilities covering advertising and circulation revenue generation, and print/digital sales and marketing initiatives. Barend has been with the Index-Journal for three and a half years as circulation director. ...
His newspaper career began in 1985 with the Los Angeles Times. He has worked for several different newspapers and in various positions during his career, including as director of circulation and general manager of the Orange & White-Anderson Independent Mail. He previously served as director of circulation sales and marketing at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and as regional circulation director at the Mansfield (Ohio) News Journal.
From the Index-Journal | Read more
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The Post and Courier Columbia will debut in October
[Starting on Oct. 1] The Post and Courier will launch postandcourier.com/Columbia to focus on local Columbia news while also maintaining a robust Free Times web presence.
Free Times will continue its focus on arts, entertainment and food coverage for both online and in print.
Combined the two organizations will have 11 full-time journalists based in Columbia covering local news for Columbia readers. The team will be supported by more than 75 Post and Courier journalists working across the state.
The weekly print edition out on Wednesdays will have two sections starting Oct. 7.
The front will feature Post and Courier Columbia news with local watchdog reporting, business coverage, opinion columns from Cindi Ross Scoppe and local writers.
The second section will be Free Times with its expertise in what to do and where to eat around Columbia and the local arts scene. Free Times will also include reader favorites like Rant & Rave and the puzzles.
By Andy Shain, The Post and Courier | Read more
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McClatchy voluntarily recognizes Packet/Gazette Guild
Newsroom employees working at the The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette will soon form a union, it was confirmed last week.
The reporters and photographers at the two news organizations, which share a combined newsroom, are expected to become South Carolina’s first active newspaper union.
“I’m proud of the work that I do at the Packet, and I’m equally proud of the efforts my colleagues and I are making to improve our workplace,” education reporter Rachel Jones said in the news release about the planned Packet/Gazette Guild. “Creating these protections for our newsroom will ultimately lead to better coverage of Beaufort County, and it’s an honor to lead the way in organizing for the Carolinas.” ...
The employees said the purpose in unionizing is to give journalists a louder voice, ensure wage equity, and fair hiring processes that prioritize diversity, among other goals. The employees requested voluntary recognition from management Wednesday and, late Thursday, received it.
“We will move forward together with our newsroom colleagues at The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette to voluntarily recognize the union they have proposed,” said Brian Tolley, president and editor for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette. “This pathway allows us to accelerate the process of starting negotiations. We commend our reporters for their passion and commitment to the mission of local journalism and are grateful for their continued efforts to keep our community informed under very challenging circumstances.”
By Noah Feit, The State | Read more
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North Augusta Star to switch to paid subscription model
Starting later this month, The North Augusta Star will be asking readers to pay $17 a month for a digital subscription. Along with access to The Star, the subscription will provide unlimited access to all of the newspapers across the state owned by Evening Post Industries.
Along with this new subscription model, The Star’s website will be getting a refresh. Read more
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 | By Ron Brinson,
former associate editor of The Post and Courier
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| Newspaper reading habits can be tough to change, but news is news
Digitizing a lifelong habit is a double-mouthful proposition and a heckuva challenge, especially for us older folks. After all, fetching the newspaper from the driveway and then reading it at a leisurely pace, with a cup of coffee in hand, is a rite of daily passage.
In our home, it’s each day’s beginning, the engine of informed discourse, spousal discussions and spirited household debates.
Now we senior newspaper readers are swallowing hard and hesitantly trying the digital versions of pages we can’t hold in our hands. The process is an upset of civilized routines, and gosh, you must make sure your smartphone or computer is well-charged, and the screen set with proper resolution.
A computerized coffeemaker is one thing — a digital newspaper is quite another, a giant leap of forced adjustments for some of us. Read more
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| Thanks Annual Meeting Sponsors!
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The following organizations support SCPA's Virtual Meeting & Awards! Please take a moment to visit these special organizations online.
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