Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
U.S. bill seeks to rescue faltering newspapers
Jason Towlen of Home News Tribune originally posted this link on Facebook - U.S. bill seeks to rescue faltering newspapers
By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With many U.S. newspapers struggling to survive, a Democratic senator on Tuesday introduced a bill to help them by allowing newspaper companies to restructure as nonprofits with a variety of tax breaks.
"This may not be the optimal choice for some major newspapers or corporate media chains but it should be an option for many newspapers that are struggling to stay afloat," said Senator Benjamin Cardin.
A Cardin spokesman said the bill had yet to attract any co-sponsors, but had sparked plenty of interest within the media, which has seen plunging revenues and many journalist layoffs.
Cardin's Newspaper Revitalization Act would allow newspapers to operate as nonprofits for educational purposes under the U.S. tax code, giving them a similar status to public broadcasting companies.
Under this arrangement, newspapers would still be free to report on all issues, including political campaigns. But they would be prohibited from making political endorsements.
Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax exempt, and contributions to support news coverage or operations could be tax deductible.
Because newspaper profits have been falling in recent years, "no substantial loss of federal revenue" was expected under the legislation, Cardin's office said in a statement.
Cardin's office said his bill was aimed at preserving local and community newspapers, not conglomerates which may also own radio and TV stations. His bill would also let a non-profit buy newspapers owned by a conglomerate.
"We are losing our newspaper industry," Cardin said. "The economy has caused an immediate problem, but the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken, and that is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.
Newspaper subscriptions and advertising have shrunk dramatically in the past few years as Americans have turned more and more to the Internet or television for information.
In recent months, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Rocky Mountain News, the Baltimore Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle have ceased daily publication or announced that they may have to stop publishing.
In December the Tribune Company, which owns a number of newspapers including The Baltimore Sun, The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times filed for bankruptcy protection.
Two newspaper chains, Gannett Co Inc and Advance Publications, on Monday announced employee furloughs. It will be the second furlough this year at Gannett.
By Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With many U.S. newspapers struggling to survive, a Democratic senator on Tuesday introduced a bill to help them by allowing newspaper companies to restructure as nonprofits with a variety of tax breaks.
"This may not be the optimal choice for some major newspapers or corporate media chains but it should be an option for many newspapers that are struggling to stay afloat," said Senator Benjamin Cardin.
A Cardin spokesman said the bill had yet to attract any co-sponsors, but had sparked plenty of interest within the media, which has seen plunging revenues and many journalist layoffs.
Cardin's Newspaper Revitalization Act would allow newspapers to operate as nonprofits for educational purposes under the U.S. tax code, giving them a similar status to public broadcasting companies.
Under this arrangement, newspapers would still be free to report on all issues, including political campaigns. But they would be prohibited from making political endorsements.
Advertising and subscription revenue would be tax exempt, and contributions to support news coverage or operations could be tax deductible.
Because newspaper profits have been falling in recent years, "no substantial loss of federal revenue" was expected under the legislation, Cardin's office said in a statement.
Cardin's office said his bill was aimed at preserving local and community newspapers, not conglomerates which may also own radio and TV stations. His bill would also let a non-profit buy newspapers owned by a conglomerate.
"We are losing our newspaper industry," Cardin said. "The economy has caused an immediate problem, but the business model for newspapers, based on circulation and advertising revenue, is broken, and that is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.
Newspaper subscriptions and advertising have shrunk dramatically in the past few years as Americans have turned more and more to the Internet or television for information.
In recent months, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Rocky Mountain News, the Baltimore Examiner and the San Francisco Chronicle have ceased daily publication or announced that they may have to stop publishing.
In December the Tribune Company, which owns a number of newspapers including The Baltimore Sun, The Chicago Tribune and The Los Angeles Times filed for bankruptcy protection.
Two newspaper chains, Gannett Co Inc and Advance Publications, on Monday announced employee furloughs. It will be the second furlough this year at Gannett.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
POY Deadline Extended
To save everyone overnight fees and to allow people more time to preparetheir entries we are EXTENDING the deadline for entries one week to March 19, 2009 at 8pm.
Everything else stays the same.
The rules went out on this list later than usual and I feel the additionaltime will enable more people to participate and make it a better contest.
Ed Murray
NJPPA POY
ChairThe Star-Ledger
Everything else stays the same.
The rules went out on this list later than usual and I feel the additionaltime will enable more people to participate and make it a better contest.
Ed Murray
NJPPA POY
ChairThe Star-Ledger
Thursday, March 5, 2009
POY 2008 Deadline
Hey Everyone - don't forget to get your New Jersey Press Photographers Association Pictures of the Year 2008 & Membership Renewal Form in! ONE WEEK FROM TODAY!!!
Contest Deadline: March 12, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Ed Murray
201-401-6914 cell
908-429-7860 home
emurray@starledger.com
Contest Deadline: March 12, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Ed Murray
201-401-6914 cell
908-429-7860 home
emurray@starledger.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
New President
Dear Fellow Members
First and foremost I would like to reach out and extend a heart-felt thank you to all the people who served the New Jersey Press Photographers Association for the last two years. Tony Kurdzuk did a great job as president during a time when newspapers and print media were beginning to spiral downward; Vice President Kevin Wexlar, Secretary/ Treasurer Reena Rose Sibayan, Clip Contest Chair Tyson Trish, POY Chair Jennifer Brown and Webmaster Cie Stroud all worked diligently holding the NJPPA together during a difficult time. Thank you very much for your service.
I am happy to announce the following officers for the upcoming term – Vice President Colin Archer; Reena Rose Sibayan has recommitted her time to be the Secretary/Treasurer again; Clip Contest Chair is now Andrew Miller of Courier News; POY Chair is once again Ed Murray with Co-Chair Jennifer Brown; and Cie Stroud will continue the upkeep of the website.
A couple of house keeping issues – Picture’s of the Year Contest Deadline is March 12, 2009 at 8 PM. Contest rules and submission information is available on the NJPPA.org website along with a membership renewal application. Yes, you must be a member to enter the contest. Please make sure to get your images to Ed Murray before the deadline.
Save the Date – May 17th, 2009 – our Annual NJPPA Dinner and Awards Program - 5 to 10 PM at Moonstruck in Asbury Park – Great food, great people, and good times. Please come out, bring a date, and support your fellow photojournalists.
The state of the newspaper industry is in flux right now. I’m not sure where we are going to be two years from now, but it looks like we are all going there together in one form or another. One of my goals as the NJPPA president is to provide resources to try to help photographers find their way through this mess – We have many members who have taken buyouts and who now find themselves freelancing again. I would like to bring speakers in once a quarter that will talk about how they market themselves and how they are making money while working as freelance photographers. Along with marketing ourselves – we need to better ourselves – so I would like to hold knowledge enhancement seminars to fill the gaps that may need filling – whether it’s technique, lighting or workflow – somebody may have a better solution.
Another one of our goals is for Colin Archer to form a committee to research the best way to do our jobs at crime and fire scenes. Tony Kurdzuk made some advances in this area with the NJ State Police; however, this continues to be an ongoing issue. We need to work hand in hand with the New Jersey Press Association to figure out how to best reach out to state and local municipalities and educate them on how to identify the professional press photographers, and to allow us to do our jobs.
Last, but not least, I’m looking for input - input on ways to improve the NJPPA, input on ways to better serve the members. I’m looking for ideas on how to tackle the new problems of being photojournalists. This is an open forum and I need your help. If you are like me, I love what I do, I love being behind the camera and I love being a photojournalist – but I hate what is happening to the industry. Let’s try to find a solution together.
Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you out on the street.
Tim Larsen
President, NJPPA
First and foremost I would like to reach out and extend a heart-felt thank you to all the people who served the New Jersey Press Photographers Association for the last two years. Tony Kurdzuk did a great job as president during a time when newspapers and print media were beginning to spiral downward; Vice President Kevin Wexlar, Secretary/ Treasurer Reena Rose Sibayan, Clip Contest Chair Tyson Trish, POY Chair Jennifer Brown and Webmaster Cie Stroud all worked diligently holding the NJPPA together during a difficult time. Thank you very much for your service.
I am happy to announce the following officers for the upcoming term – Vice President Colin Archer; Reena Rose Sibayan has recommitted her time to be the Secretary/Treasurer again; Clip Contest Chair is now Andrew Miller of Courier News; POY Chair is once again Ed Murray with Co-Chair Jennifer Brown; and Cie Stroud will continue the upkeep of the website.
A couple of house keeping issues – Picture’s of the Year Contest Deadline is March 12, 2009 at 8 PM. Contest rules and submission information is available on the NJPPA.org website along with a membership renewal application. Yes, you must be a member to enter the contest. Please make sure to get your images to Ed Murray before the deadline.
Save the Date – May 17th, 2009 – our Annual NJPPA Dinner and Awards Program - 5 to 10 PM at Moonstruck in Asbury Park – Great food, great people, and good times. Please come out, bring a date, and support your fellow photojournalists.
The state of the newspaper industry is in flux right now. I’m not sure where we are going to be two years from now, but it looks like we are all going there together in one form or another. One of my goals as the NJPPA president is to provide resources to try to help photographers find their way through this mess – We have many members who have taken buyouts and who now find themselves freelancing again. I would like to bring speakers in once a quarter that will talk about how they market themselves and how they are making money while working as freelance photographers. Along with marketing ourselves – we need to better ourselves – so I would like to hold knowledge enhancement seminars to fill the gaps that may need filling – whether it’s technique, lighting or workflow – somebody may have a better solution.
Another one of our goals is for Colin Archer to form a committee to research the best way to do our jobs at crime and fire scenes. Tony Kurdzuk made some advances in this area with the NJ State Police; however, this continues to be an ongoing issue. We need to work hand in hand with the New Jersey Press Association to figure out how to best reach out to state and local municipalities and educate them on how to identify the professional press photographers, and to allow us to do our jobs.
Last, but not least, I’m looking for input - input on ways to improve the NJPPA, input on ways to better serve the members. I’m looking for ideas on how to tackle the new problems of being photojournalists. This is an open forum and I need your help. If you are like me, I love what I do, I love being behind the camera and I love being a photojournalist – but I hate what is happening to the industry. Let’s try to find a solution together.
Thank you again and I look forward to seeing you out on the street.
Tim Larsen
President, NJPPA
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Change In Leadership
To all our members,
Though my term as President is now over I am happy to announce I am
being succeeded by Tim Larsen as President and Colin Archer as Vice
President. Our Secretary/Treasurer remains Reena Rose Sibayan, who
has graciously accepted the office for another term (thank you Reena!).
For those of you who know Tim, you know he's a respected photographer
as well as great guy. For those who may not know him yet, I can
assure you the organization is in very good hands. This goes for
Colin as well.
I had dinner with both Tim and Colin tonight to officially hand over
the reigns and talk about the future of the NJPPA. Both are very
optimistic about what is to come as well as having some great ideas.
I hope everyone will welcome and congratulate our new officers.
I have gotten several questions over the last few weeks regarding the
POY contest. Some minor changes are being made to the rules and it is
coming together thanks to the work of Ed Murray and Jen Brown. Notice
of deadline will be sent out in the near future.
It has been a pleasure to serve as NJPPA President and I will continue
to be active in our organization for years to come.
Thank You,
Tony Kurdzuk
Though my term as President is now over I am happy to announce I am
being succeeded by Tim Larsen as President and Colin Archer as Vice
President. Our Secretary/Treasurer remains Reena Rose Sibayan, who
has graciously accepted the office for another term (thank you Reena!).
For those of you who know Tim, you know he's a respected photographer
as well as great guy. For those who may not know him yet, I can
assure you the organization is in very good hands. This goes for
Colin as well.
I had dinner with both Tim and Colin tonight to officially hand over
the reigns and talk about the future of the NJPPA. Both are very
optimistic about what is to come as well as having some great ideas.
I hope everyone will welcome and congratulate our new officers.
I have gotten several questions over the last few weeks regarding the
POY contest. Some minor changes are being made to the rules and it is
coming together thanks to the work of Ed Murray and Jen Brown. Notice
of deadline will be sent out in the near future.
It has been a pleasure to serve as NJPPA President and I will continue
to be active in our organization for years to come.
Thank You,
Tony Kurdzuk
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Vote for Officers
Dear Members,
Two polls have been posted on the Yahoo board to elect a new President and Vice President of the NJPPA for the 2009-2010 term.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/NJPPA-L/polls
The polls close on Wednesday, Feb. 4 so please log in and cast your ballot before then.
Thank you!
Tony Kurdzuk
NJPPA President
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