New England Newspaper & Press Association

The Student Press Law Center will join the University of Vermont Center for Community News for a check-in on the legal challenges that college reporting programs are facing today, the rights we can exercise, and strategies for protecting our student reporters.

Bring your questions and concerns.

• Meg Little Reilly, CCN Managing Director
• Gary Green, Student Press Law Center Executive Director
• Mike Hiestand, Student Press Law Center Senior Legal Counsel
• Josh Moore, Student Press Law Center Assistant Director
• Jonathan Gaston-Falk, Student Press Law Center Staff Attorney

The social media landscape never stops evolving—and neither can publishers.

Join us for a forward-looking session as we explore the current state of social media and break down exactly what publishers need to do to stay ahead. We’ll also explore how AI and automation are unlocking new levels of scale, helping lean teams punch above their weight and consistently drive traffic without burning out.

You’ll learn:
Optimizing content formats to maximize performance
Why recirculating your best content is a major opportunity
How AI can help you do more with less—without losing your editorial voice

If you’re ready to win the feed and upgrade your social strategy, this one’s for you.

As news avoidance rises and trust erodes, solutions journalism offers a way to re-engage audiences. In the fourth installment of our series Solutions Journalism for Beat Reporters, we’ll explore how federal contract cancellations are disrupting local communities—and how to uncover both the local impacts and the community responses.

Thousands of federal contracts have been canceled since January, affecting local economies, workers, and essential services. This session, led by Big Local News, will show you how to use data tools to reveal these impacts in your community and spotlight how residents are responding.

Guest: Rosie Cima, Senior Data Journalist, Big Local News

About Big Local News: Based at Stanford University, Big Local News makes vital public records accessible to local journalists. The organization gathers data on policing, public health, government, and other critical topics, then builds tools and collaborates with reporters to turn that data into stories. Learn more at biglocalnews.org.

This session will unpack how hyperlocal outlets can become the most trusted information source in their communities. We’ll talk about how hyperlocal sites have built credibility and civic engagement by consistently delivering useful, verified, and deep local news, often in places underserved by traditional media.

Key Takeaways:

– Editorial guidelines and fact-checking practices for hyperlocal publishers
– Examples of how local trust leads to civic action, event participation, and brand loyalty
– The intersection of mission-driven journalism and business health

What does it mean for journalism to truly stand with the communities it serves? Join NENPA University and Dr. Anita Varma, a leading voice in ethical journalism and faculty member at the University of Texas at Austin, for a thought-provoking session on Solidarity Journalism — an approach that prioritizes the lived experiences of marginalized communities in the service of basic dignity.

In this webinar, Dr. Varma will share practical frameworks for journalists and editors to distinguish solidarity for basic dignity from partisanship, prioritize truth over both-sidesism, and build credibility through inclusive, justice-driven coverage. Learn how solidarity journalism can strengthen journalism’s pursuit of truth, deepen audience connection, and uphold the core mission of journalism to serve the public in an era of growing polarization and disinformation.

Perfect for reporters, editors, and newsroom leaders committed to meaningful community engagement and more equitable journalism.

In this essential workshop, discover the transformative power of Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and how it redefines digital measurement for news organizations. We will delve into what truly sets GA4 apart from previous analytics platforms, exploring its event-based data model and integrated approach to understanding user behavior across different platforms and devices.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of how measurement works in GA4, moving beyond traditional page views to focus on more meaningful user engagement metrics. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, you will learn how to leverage GA4’s full potential to identify trends, optimize content, enhance reader engagement, and ultimately drive your news organization forward in today’s dynamic digital landscape. This session will equip you with the knowledge and actionable insights to make data-driven decisions that foster growth and sustainability.

Note this session will not be recorded. So please plan to attend at the session date and time.

Presented by Iain Christie

With 20 years of experience in digital marketing, publishing, and tech, Iain Christie is now a Business Analyst for the Google News Initiative. Since spring 2022, he has instructed publishers in North America on leveraging Google tools for business sustainability, growing audience engagement, strengthening reader/advertising revenue, and leveraging the potential of AI.