ONA Offers Free Two-part training on AI for freelance journalists

The Online News Association is offering two opportunities specifically for freelancers to learn ways to leverage AI tools to streamline the reporting process. Add them to your calendar:

  • Led by Mike Reilley, the 60-minute AI for Freelancers Training on May 14 will cover AI basics and how tools can help you be more efficient with story pitches and pitch letters, manage your workflow, brainstorm story ideas, write FOIA requests, do research and more. We’ll also go over how to write prompts, discuss checking freelance contracts for AI use limits and disclosing any AI use in reporting your story to your editors. Participants get a handout with links to all the tools and some practice exercises.
  • Then, join us again for the AI Mini-Lab for Freelancers on June 4 for a low-stakes, 45-minute hands-on workshop, where we’ll work with the tools from the previous training to brainstorm ideas, write pitch letter outlines, FOIA requests and more. Participants get a handout with links to all the tools and some practice exercises.

Registration is free for both sessions, thanks to generous support from AI in Journalism Initiative funders Microsoft, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation and The Joyce Foundation.

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SPJ Training Program, In association with Google News Initiative

Since its inception, thousands of journalists have been trained by SPJ and the Google News Initiative on using the continually evolving suite of Google tools. Read more about the SPJ Training Program and the Google News Initiative here.

In 2025, GNI and SPJ are bringing in-person and virtual training to conventions, conferences and regional events at no cost (we provide the trainer and pay all their expenses). In addition, scholarships are available to SPJ regional conference and MediaFest25 attendees.

The training includes a workshop lasting from one to three hours, providing an overview of the Google tools or providing in-depth training on one Google tool. Longer training can be discussed.

A trainer is provided at no cost to your organization. Thanks to a grant from the Google News Initiative, SPJ pays the trainer’s fee as well as travel expenses.

While SPJ and Google provide the teaching talent and the tools, the host organization is responsible for:

— Marketing of the training program to reach a maximum number of event attendees. Prime positioning in your program, with minimal concurrent programming, is encouraged.
— A location for the program that will hold all the participants, with, if possible, table space for personal laptops.
— An LCD projector/screen, laptop audio, Wi-Fi, and power.
— Encouragement of the audience to complete a brief post-training online survey.
— Prompt communication should there be any schedule change.

Learn more

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Producing relevant content requires knowing your community

Jim Pumarlo is former editor of the Red Wing (Minn.) Republican Eagle. He writes, speaks and provides training on community newsroom success strategies. He is author of “Journalism Primer: A Guide to Community News Coverage,” “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage” and “Bad News and Good Judgment: A Guide to Reporting on Sensitive Issues in Small-Town Newspapers.” He can be reached at and welcomes comments and questions at jim@pumarlo.com.

Editors are regularly challenged: What mix of stories and photos will collectively make this edition a “must see” for readers and advertisers? There is no universal formula.

The first step in any market, however, is to know your community. Fundamental to providing pertinent coverage is living in the neighborhoods where your readers work and play.

That’s common sense for newspapers to truly have a pulse of their markets. Yet, as simplistic as it sounds, it’s distressing to see newsrooms relying more and more on remote reporting, and to see staff living miles away from the communities they are charged with chronicling everyday happenings.

I was fortunate to guide a staff when community newspapers were flourishing. As a bonus, the hometown owners recognized the value of and dedicated extra resources to the news product. The landscape admittedly is far different today. Newspapers are no longer the primary avenue to deliver news and spread advertising messages. 

Shortcuts in gathering news have become standard, almost essential. Reporters record meetings from online viewing, only occasionally attending in person. Press releases are accepted with minimal follow-up, often printed verbatim with PR language suited for internal newsletters.

I don’t minimize the challenges of the changing landscape. Maintaining community connections is hard work these days – especially with diminished resources, but building relationships still is critical to generating relevant content.

Making first impressions is important, especially if a newspaper changes ownership. Consider these messages:

  • A flagship newspaper that served a community for more than 150 years pulls up its roots – doesn’t even a storefront office – and moves its chain headquarters 25 miles away. A business out of sight is soon out of mind.
  • A new reporter writes an introductory column expressing her desire to learn about and become a part of the local community. In the same space, she tells readers she lives 40 miles away in the big city where she has a part-time job and on weekends enjoys exploring the metropolitan area with family and friends.
  • An editor comes on board, writes that he looks forward to living in the community and meeting people. A year later, he has yet to introduce himself – in written communication or in person – to local governing bodies and likely to other key newsmakers.

Connecting with community is paramount to producing substantive stories. Even more important, everyday contact is at the core of building confidence with readers. The point is underscored by Trusting News, a research and training project that empowers journalists to demonstrate credibility and earn trust.

Trusting News offers a Trust Kit with a goal to help newspapers:

  • Ask for community input in productive ways.
  • Identify and refine knowledge around local community members’ perceptions of local news.
  • Communicate more regularly with people who have low trust in news and address their frustrations.
  • Act on feedback to improve your overall coverage.

The kit forwards several ideas for engaging with community and then acting on feedback. The common thread? It’s far easier, and more meaningful, to execute the strategies if you are a part of community.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when launching a major initiative, so I advise taking baby steps. Here’s one suggestion from the Trust Kit: Have each journalist in your newsroom 

commit to interviewing one person a month who has low trust in news. One question to ask: What do journalists often get wrong about you or about things in your life?

In similar vein, map a plan for reporters to connect monthly with one person not in their regular network. Meet face-to-face. You’ll expand your knowledge of the community and gain one more source to forward story ideas to enrich your content while deepening community connections.

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Advertising lessons from a car wash

John Foust
John Foust has conducted training programs for thousands of newspaper advertising professionals. Many ad departments are using his training DVDs to save time and get quick results from in-house training. Email for information: john@johnfoust.com

Jerry used to be in the car wash business. One day, he was feeling down when he got home after work. When his wife asked him what was wrong, he said, “There were five customers who complained today.” 

She asked, “How many cars did you wash today?”

He said, “Six hundred at that location and about eighteen hundred at the others.” 

She smiled at him and said, “Hush!” 

Jerry told me that his wife’s remark put the problem into perspective. His focus on the handful of complainers had kept him from thinking about the overwhelming number of happy customers that day. “Customer service has always been the most important thing to me and the team,” he explained. “We want everybody to be happy, but I have to remind myself that people are people and not everyone is going to be happy every time. Every now and then, we’ll miss a spot.” 

The numbers reveal that Jerry has an excellent record of customer service. Those five complainers represented just 1.25 percent of his customers at that location and an even smaller percentage of the total customers that day in all of his car washes. Jerry’s big heart is one reason he built such a successful business. His wife was reminding him to be grateful for the 99-plus percent who were happy. 

There is a famous quote which is attributed to the poet John Lydgate and was later adapted by Abraham Lincoln: “You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” 

Perfection is a strange thing. On one hand, it drives us to create the best possible quality. But on the other hand, it makes bad news (no matter how small) stand out from the good news (no matter how big). On some occasions, perfection keeps us up at night. 

Jerry’s story reminds me of Alicia, who has managed an ad team for many years. She once said, “We teach our team to strive for perfection, but also to accept that sometimes things get messed up. 

“When mistakes happen, we do three things. First, we apologize and do everything we can to correct the problem, even if we discover it before the advertiser does. Staying ahead of the situation can keep it from getting worse. 

“The second thing is to learn from the mistake. One of my favorite sayings is, ‘There are two outcomes: successes and lessons.’  The real tragedy of a mistake is when no one learns anything. 

“The third thing is to celebrate the things that are going right. We deal with the blunder, then let it go and focus on the good. That’s a big part of maintaining morale in the ad department, or in any department in the newspaper.” 

Alicia makes a great point. Dealing with mistakes is a little like a car wash. Below the dirt and grime, there’s a nice shine.

(c) Copyright 2025 by John Foust. All rights reserved.

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NEACE returns to Hotel Northampton for its spring conference May 4-5

The NorthEast Association of Communication Executives (NEACE) is thrilled to return to the historic Hotel Northampton for its annual Spring Conference on Sunday, May 4, and Monday, May 5, 2025. Don’t miss this dynamic gathering of regional media professionals, packed with thought-provoking sessions, expert speakers, and plenty of opportunities to connect.

🎟 Registration: $349 includes access to all meals, sessions, and networking events.

Sunday

  • Celebrate the weekend with fellow attendees at the President’s Celebration

  • Enjoy a complimentary dinner

  • Relax and mingle in the hospitality suite

Monday: A Full Day of Insights & Inspiration

  • Keynote: Shaun Palmer, Publisher of the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Greenfield Recorder, and Athol Daily News

  • AI for Customer Service: Scott Swanson of SingleComm explores cutting-edge tech innovations

  • Obituaries as Legacy and Revenue: Mark French of MassLive.com shares insights on one of journalism’s most essential (and often overlooked) verticals

  • Audience Growth & Paid Subscriptions: Daniel Petty of ProPublica offers strategy-backed guidance

  • Meeting Your Audience Where They Are: Teresa Hanafin of The Boston Globe brings her engagement expertise

  • Capturing Customer Feedback for Business Growth: Dan Christ of Advance Local shares how subscriber insights are shaping strategy

  • Lunch at the iconic Wiggins Tavern, vendor introductions, and more!

👥 Second registration: +$99 Bring a colleague, co-worker, or significant other for just $99. They’ll enjoy full access to all meals and events alongside you.

🌟 Sponsorship opportunities are still available! A great way to showcase your brand and support regional journalism.

👉 Learn more and register today

Let’s connect, learn, and lead the future of communications—together in Northampton.

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NENPA supports press freedom in a joint statement during Ethics Week 2025

In a powerful show of unity, a coalition of more than 50 organizations, including NENPA, that support press freedom issued a joint statement reaffirming the vital role of ethical journalism in a healthy democracy and calling on government leaders and the public to support the principles that guide the profession. 

The statement comes as the Society of Professional Journalists launches Ethics Week 2025, April 14-18, 2025, a time to spotlight the values that form the backbone of responsible reporting: accuracy, fairness, independence and transparency. SPJ plans to send the statement to all members of Congress. 

“At a time when misinformation spreads faster than facts, and government officials routinely attempt to delegitimize professional journalists, it’s more important than ever to stand up for ethical journalism,” said Emily Bloch, SPJ national president. “This coalition letter is a unified message: Journalism ethics aren’t a political weapon — they’re a public good.” 

The statement warns of intensified efforts to discredit reporters, restrict access to information and retaliate against those who expose uncomfortable truths — tactics that erode trust and undermine the public’s right to know. 

It also emphasizes that ethical journalism is nonpartisan and essential, not optional: 

“Attempts to delegitimize responsible reporting do not diminish its value; instead, they underscore the importance of a resilient, independent press that remains steadfast in its pursuit of truth.” 

The coalition urges citizens to critically evaluate the information they consume and support credible news sources. The coalition also calls on authorities to respect the role of a free press. “Citizens should hold government officials accountable for their treatment of journalists,” Bloch said. 

SPJ’s Code of Ethics, considered a foundational document in U.S. journalism, serves as a guide for ethical decision-making among journalists across the country. Ethics Week offers an opportunity for journalists, educators and the public to engage with and recommit to those standards.

SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member and give to the Legal Defense Fund, First Amendment Forever Fund or SPJ Foundation.  

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2025 New England Newspaper Convention – A Weekend of Journalism, Innovation, and Community

From cutting-edge discussions on AI and branded content to skill-building sessions on interviewing, public records, and inclusive storytelling, the 2025 New England Newspaper Convention delivered two full days of practical takeaways and powerful ideas.

Held March 28 and 29 at the Portland Regency Hotel in Portland, Maine, the event brought together journalists, editors, publishers, students, and media experts from across New England.

This year’s program featured more than 20 sessions, keynotes, and workshops — covering everything from sales and marketing strategies to equity in journalism, First Amendment protections, and investigative reporting. Whether you came to learn new tools, connect with peers, or get inspired by industry leaders, the convention offered something for every corner of the newsroom.

On Friday, attendees learned from Shannon Kinney of Dream Local Digital about boosting digital ad sales (download slide deck), while Mike Donoghue shared decades of insight with 30 tips for better interviewing. Kevin Berrier of MDDC Ad Services showed how AI is reshaping advertising, and Cheryl Phillips of Big Local News introduced powerful tools for data-driven reporting. Dan Cotter, Terry Williams, and Mark Stodder discussed philanthropy as a sustainable model for journalism, and the Maine Trust for Local News team — Mackenzie Gregory and Molly Adams — unpacked their branded content success story (download slide deck). The day closed with a vital First Amendment Town Hall led by Aaron Julien and Rob Bertsche, followed by the annual Hall of Fame Dinner.

Saturday’s sessions opened with artist Alexandra Bell, whose keynote explored how bias in news design can distort narratives. Meg Heckman of Northeastern University discussed responsible gender coverage, and Sig Schutz of Preti Flaherty led a panel of public records experts, including Jenifer McKim, Judy Meyer, and Steve Greenlee. In a two-part hands-on training, Mike Reilley of JournalistsToolbox.ai walked participants through AI tools and fact-checking strategies. Lunch time featured the Yankee Quill Award Luncheon.

The day continued with discussions on equity in journalism from Emma Carew Grovum of The Marshall Project, narrative craft from Judy Meyer, Link McKie, and Mike Donoghue, and podcasting strategies from Monica Brady-Myerov (download slide deck) and Elaine Appleton Grant (download slide deck). Bell returned to lead an interactive workshop on rethinking coverage, while Larry Parnass moderated a panel of Publick Occurrences winners: Colin Flanders, Sruthi Gopalakrishnan, Rose Lundy, and Shaun Robinson. The final session of the day featured a timely media law refresher with Louise Carron and Rob Bertsche. The day closed with the Awards banquet, where the results of the 2024 Better Newspaper Competition were announced.

Each session offered tangible takeaways and fresh perspectives — whether the goal was to inspire a new project, strengthen newsroom processes, or simply reconnect with the power of good journalism.

Be sure to check out the full program, with links to our sponsors, the speakers, and the photo gallery below to revisit the people and moments that made the 2025 convention sessions and workshops so memorable.

A special thank you goes out to the USM Free Press for sending Emilyn Smith, Director of Photography, Abbey DeRosia, Staff Photographer, and Lucille Siegler, Business Manager, to cover the event and who contributed to the photo gallery.

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AP Fund for Journalism announces 1st program with nearly 50 local newsrooms including three NENPA members

The AP Fund for Journalism (APFJ) today announced its board of directors and a local newsroom pilot program in which it will work with nearly 50 nonprofit news organizations to support state and local news reporting.

Participating newsrooms include three NENPA members in New England, The Connecticut Mirror, The Maine Monitor, and VTDigger. Congratulations to these organizations on your selection!

The program marks the first such project for APFJ, the charitable organization created by The Associated Press in 2024 to support public service journalism and make it accessible to state and local news organizations in the U.S.

“Fact-based, independent journalism is the backbone of engaged communities and informed civic discourse. Local newsrooms are on the frontlines telling the stories that matter most to their audiences, yet often they lack the resources to do so effectively,” said APFJ CEO Rachel White. “This pilot program is a critical first step in our mission to close that gap, ensuring that state and local newsrooms have the tools they need to keep the public informed on stories and issues that wouldn’t otherwise receive coverage.”

Through the APFJ pilot program, which is supported by the Google News Initiative, participating newsrooms will receive a selection of AP text, video and photo content and access to editorial tools and training to further support their newsgathering work.

Learn more and see the full list of newsrooms selected at https://www.ap.org/media-center/press-releases/2025/ap-fund-for-journalism-announces-board-of-directors-1st-program-with-nearly-50-local-newsrooms/

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Journalism Advisory Organizations Issue Rare Alert to Student News Outlets

Student staff journalists and editors from around the country gathered at Nieman in Cambridge, MA to attend the Christopher J. Georges Conference on College Journalism on 4/5/25. Photo by Jodi Hilton/Nieman Foundation
Student staff journalists and editors from around the country gathered at Nieman in Cambridge, MA to attend the Christopher J. Georges Conference on College Journalism on 4/5/25. Photo by Jodi Hilton/Nieman Foundation

A coalition of national student media advisory organizations has issued a rare alert to student journalists, revising long-standing guidance on journalistic practices in light of what it calls an “unprecedented” threat to the free exercise of student speech on campuses across the United States.

The alert recommends that student media organizations “revisit their policies on takedown requests and anonymous sources, particularly for those whose immigration status may make them targets for their lawful speech.” It also advises being transparent with sources and audiences about anonymous bylines and sourcing, and educating staff on these issues. The group of signatories — comprising the Associated Collegiate Press, Journalism Education Association, College Media Association, National Scholastic Press Association, Quill & Scroll, and the Student Press Law Center — acknowledged that the advice represents a departure from traditional journalistic norms.

“Many of our organizations have existed for a century or more, and we have never before issued this type of alert. We do not do so lightly now,” the coalition said in its alert, which was issued on April 4.

Read more at https://niemanreports.org/student-journalists-press-freedom-splc/

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Congratulations to the 2024 Better Newspaper Competition Winners

The New England Newspaper & Press Association proudly congratulates all the winners of the 2024 Better Newspaper Competition! The awards were presented on March 29 in Portland, Maine, during a celebration of the region’s finest in journalism.

As New England’s largest journalism recognition program, the Better Newspaper Competition highlights the incredible talent, passion, and dedication that go into producing outstanding publications. Each year, this prestigious competition offers newspaper professionals the opportunity to be recognized for their exceptional work—work that informs, inspires, and strengthens our communities.

We applaud all the winning journalists, photographers, designers, editors, graphic artists, and teams whose work stood out in a competitive field. Your commitment to excellence in local journalism is vital to the health of our democracy and the vibrancy of our region.

Please view the presentations from the Awards Banquet below and download the 2024 Better Newspaper Competition Award Winners.

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