NewsBeat

September 2022 NewsBeat 19 Around New York state April 2020 NewsBeat 15 Rebuilding journalism, together he relationship between news organizations and the public is difficult. So is the relationship between news organizations and their journalists. We're tackling multiple unknowns at once, at a speed that makes many of us feel overstretched and underprepared for our jobs — or for what we think should be our jobs. Could it be that honest conversations about our experiences — within our teams, within a wider organizational structure, and with our readers — might help relieve some of that pressure and provide solutions? Just as a more experienced colleague can help a young journalist dealing with a tricky reporting situation, or be a sounding board for untangling complicated narratives, so can a reader with expertise in a particular field provide insights or a new perspective to help unblock projects feeling the weight of indecision. Small media organizations without resources for long-term strategic thinking could do a lot worse than asking their readers what directions they could follow in the future. At DoR — an independent journalism platform that helps readers connect, understand one another and what they can do to tackle the problems of modern-day Romania — we've embarked on a journey to establish a feedback loop with our readers, through surveys, in-person interviews, and focus groups. It's easy to start a conversation with readers when you want to discuss the subjects you're reporting on. Many journalists do this with resounding success and see their own work benefit from these check-ins with their audience. But it's another process entirely when you're hoping to build a shared understanding of each other's relationships with journalism: for them to know why you're there as a journalist, and for you to understand why they're there as readers. Building common ground takes time, effort, and uncomfortable conversations, but we're likely to see more editorial teams dedicating resources to this in 2020. Publishers hoping that reader revenue holds the key to at least sustainability (if not growth) will need more than a lead- acquisition campaign. (Though that's definitely also on our wishlist at DoR for 2020!). We're all going to need more readers who understand our mission and our values — and for that to happen, we need to talk more, listen more, and work together. Catalina Albeanu is digital editor at Romania's DoR (Decat o Revist). — Reprinted from NiemanLab "Small media organizations without resources for long-term strategic thinking could do a lot worse than asking their readers what directions they could follow in the future." T By CATALINA ALBEANU nynewspapers.com Under New York State's new sexual harassment prevention regulations, all New York State employers, public and private, must complete annual sexual harassment prevention training annually. The final regulations also require that all new hires be trained "as quickly as possible." In response to this statewide mandate, NYPA has produced an interactive sexual harassment training webinar, providing employers with an affordable solution to meet their ongoing sexual harassment training needs. We distributed sample sexual harassment policies, posters and complaint forms. All employers must display the poster and distribute a written sexual harassment policy to every employee. If you have not done this and need the sample copies, please contact NYPA. NYPA will offer annual subscription packages to newspapers, for access to monthly sexual harassment training webinars. For companies with fewer than 25 employees, the annual subscription will be $30 per year. For companies with 26 – 50 employees, the annual subscription will be $55 per year, and for companies with more than 50 employees, the annual subscription will be $75 per year. Annual subscriptions include guaranteed reserved admission to monthly training webinars, dated attendee training certificates, and admission to the live training at NYPA's spring conference or regional workshops. For more information contact Doug Rea: doug@nynewspapers.com Sexual Harassment T R A I N I N G New York Press Association 518.464.6483 nynewspapers.com Hinman, Bessen promoted at Herald Community Newspapers Michael Hinman was named executive editor of the Herald Community Newspa- pers in March. Hinman succeeds Scott Brin- ton, who had led the editorial department since 2016. Herald Community Newspapers include nearly two dozen publications and more than 20 report- ers and editors. Hinman will also oversee The River- dale Press. Although he was born and raised in rural Penn- sylvania, Hinman spent most of his adult life in central Florida. His work ranged from neighbor- hood newspapers like the Zephyrhills News and The Laker, to the larger Sunbelt News- paper division of The Tampa Tribune. He also spent years as a real estate reporter for the Tampa Bay Business Journal, as well as the Sarasota-based Business Observer. Longtime Nassau Herald editor Jeff Bes- sen was appointed deputy editor. Queens pays tribute to Maureen Walther The late Maureen E. Burns Walther was honored by local luminaries in August in a street-naming ceremony in Ridgewood, Queens. Walther, who died in August, 2020, was the former longtime owner and publisher of The Ridgewood Times/Times Newsweekly. Buffalo News names Rayman top editor Sheila Rayam was named the executive editor of The Buffalo News in July. She is the first Black journalist and the second woman to hold the position in the paper's 142-year history. The News was purchased in 2020 by Lee Enterprises from its longtime owner, Warren Buffett's Berk- shire Hathaway. Rayam, who was Gannett's executive editor of Mohawk Valley news operations, spoke about new approaches to police cov- erage at the New York Press Association's conference this past spring. East Aurora Advertiser celebrates sesquicentennial The East Aurora Advertiser marked 150 years of continuous publication in August. The Advertiser is one of six community newspapers (subscription based) in the Neighbor-to-Neighbor News group, and is the flagship title. There have only been three publishers in the last 100 years: R. John Spooner, followed by his son Alfred P. Spooner. Grant Hamilton purchased the newspaper from the Spooner family in 1981 and remains publisher. Over the years, five additional community newspa- pers have been added to the group. McTigue joins NYPA as senior VP of advertising Marlene McTigue has joined the New York Press Service as Senior Vice President for Advertising. Marlene will focus on NYPS' digital products and print display advertising. Formerly she worked as New Business Development Manager for KathodeRay Media in Greenville, NY. Prior to that she worked as a multimedia specialist for Co- lumbia-Greene Media (a division of John- son Newspaper Corp). She currently volunteers on the lead- ership team at the Center for Economic Growth, on the board of directors of the Albany County Industrial Development Agency and is the chairperson of the Ravena Coeymans Selkirk Business Asso- ciation. Siena grad Brooks named NYPA accounting specialist Lawrence Brooks has joined the New York Press Service as a Media Planner/ Accounting Specialist. Lawrence is a 2022 graduate of Siena College, Loudonville, NY. NYPA public notice portal grows to 59 with Litmor Litmor Publications, publisher of five weekly community published in Garden City, joined NYPS' public notice portal August 19th, bringing the total number of NY newspapers using the portal, to 59.

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