The Indiana Publisher

Publisher The Indiana Volume 79, Issue 4 • April 10, 2014 Published on second Thursday monthly Public notice lives to fight another day MAP tries out public notice placement T he Hoosier State Press Association completed a successful project test that could make life easier for pri vate entities that frequently run public notice advertising. Midwest Adver tising Placements, HSPA's advertis ing arm, placed two public notices for Vectren, the Evansvillebased power company. The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission required the notices. Vectren, which serves more than 80 Indiana counties, reached out to HSPA about a better way to place public notices. Sharon Katterjohn of Vectren's Regulatory Affairs division outlined the difficulties of contacting newspapers individually to place ads, obtaining their federal ID numbers for tax purposes, and more. HSPA's executive director and general counsel Steve Key and advertising direc tor Pam Lego put together a proposal from MAP to place the notices for Vectren for a fee. This is different from MAP's procedure for companies or ad agencies that place dis play advertising. "Most MAP clients have options beyond newspapers, so our display ad placement service is free to encourage their selection of newspapers to distribute their message," Key said. "Newspapers are the only option for public notice advertising, so a fee is appropriate given the special service MAP provided." See MAP, Page 7 Foundation Front: Eugene S. Pulliam interns have strong journalistic drive. Page 3 Advertising deduction: Newspapers stand to feel negative impact if federal advertising tax deduction lowered. Page 4 Key Points: Federal Privacy Protection Act could be at play after journalist's camera confiscated. Page 8 Hey, can they do that? Steve Key answers your legal questions. Page 7 INSIDE HSPA offers political advertising resources Visit hspa.com/2014political to download materials promoting political advertising in newspapers. Get customizable components including a full-color brochure, handout, PowerPoint document and more. T he 2014 General Assembly was marked more by what didn't happen than what did hap pen from an Indiana newspa per industry perspective. The legislature did not pass: • Five of six bills that attacked the concept of public notice advertising. • A bill amending the Access to Public Records Act in two ways. • "Ag-gag" legislation. The press did benefit from the legislature's desire to pro tect citizens from government intrusion. Legislation passed that will force law enforcement to notify a media outlet when they attempt to gain a subpoena of phone records so the newspaper or radio or TV station can take action against the move in court to protect its sources. State Rep. Eric Koch, RBedford, inserted the pro tection language in H.B. 1009 at the request of the Hoosier State Press Association. The bill, sponsored by State Sen. Brent Steele, RBedford, passed in both the House and Senate by large margins. The language should block law enforcement agencies from making an endrun around the state's Reporter's Privilege Law. State Sen. Travis Holdman, RMarkle, worked with HSPA to amend S.B. 101 to avoid First Amendment issues with the agricultural protection bill. The changes eliminated any connection between photos or video and criminal activity. With the changes, S.B. 101 enhanced penalties for crimi nal mischief and trespass to agricultural property, similar to standards for churches and schools. Since Holdman removed "aggag" provisions, HSPA had no objections to its pas sage. S.B. 101 passed in the amended form easily in both the Senate and House. State Rep. Jud McMillian, RBrookville, sponsored the legislation. Public notice advertising Unfortunately, the legis lature did pass H.B. 1385, authored by State Rep. Mike WRAP UP: 2014 INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY ROADSHOW FOR REPORTERS "Newspapers receive the same rate whether MAP or individual entities place the public notices." Pamela Lego Advertising director See Notice, Page 6 S mart phones make up most of the new mobile phones sold in the United States and usually come with the ability to shoot high definition video. But many newsrooms – busy already with breaking news and enterprise reporting demands – haven't had the chance to learn the new tools. A new program from the HSPA Foundation, Associated Press Media Editors and Ball State University will get you started and grow the skills you already have – for the same low cost as always at the Road Show for Reporters. Ball State will host the confer ence Thursday, June 19 in its stateoftheart media labs. "Smart Video" is a concise, Mobile video training: There's a seminar for that Video reporting workshop What: Smart Video When: Thursday, June 19, 2014 Where: Ball State University, Muncie Cost: $35 (early-bird rate) or $45 (regular registration); includes lunch and a 2014 AP Stylebook Registration: Watch for mailed and emailed registration information later this month. By John Strauss Ball State University See Video, Page 7 More online Look for a detailed account of HSPA's 2014 legislative work online at hspa.com.

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