Want to start restoring confidence in the South Carolina system of justice? Disregard both banks of lawyers in the murder case against Alex Murdaugh and demand that the business of the court remain public, not gagged. At a bond hearing July 20 in the historic Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro,...
Seize opportunity to steer, moderate election noise
Seize opportunity to steer, moderate election noise Published April 2022 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant Election coverage was a priority when I toiled behind the editor’s desk. It was all-hands-on-deck in the newsroom as we sought information to help voters make their choices.As a final step, we endorsed in all...
Are you ready for the new year? Take inventory, prepare calendar
Are you ready for the new year? Take inventory, prepare calendar Published Jan. 2022 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant It’s standard procedure at many newspapers to chronicle headlines in year-end editions. The continuing social and economic impact of COVID-19 is certain to capture a lion’s share of attention in most...
Into the Issues (Aug. 2021)
INTO THE ISSUES Editorials provide leadership needed in pandemic Published Aug. 11, 2021 By Al Cross Editorials are falling from favor at many American newspapers, for various reasons, including a desire not to upset and chase away readers, especially when it comes to our increasingly tribal and polarized politics.Unfortunately, many...
Government Accessing Electronic Communications to Identify Sources: It Can Happen to You
Government Accessing Electronic Communications to Identify Sources: It Can Happen to You Published June 2021 By Eric P. Robinson, USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications The revelations that the U.S. Justice Department secretly sought information on reporters’ e-mail, phone and other communications has sent shock waves through media and...
Sharpen your editing with these press releases
Sharpen your editing with these press releases Published June 14, 2021 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant The hyper partisanship in today’s political landscape was on full display with passage of the American Rescue Plan. It passed on a straight party-line vote.A Minnesota congressman joined in the chorus of his fellow...
Make public affairs coverage relevant and timely
Make public affairs coverage relevant and timely Published Jan. 21, 2021 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant How many newsrooms have received complaints about coverage of local public affairs – specifically meetings? It might be the city council, school board, county board or one of the numerous other government bodies under...
Free Speech Issues Abound After Capitol Hill Riot
Free Speech Issues Abound After Capitol Hill Riot Published January 2021 By Eric P. Robinson, USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications The riot at the Capitol building on Jan. 6 and its aftermath have raised several serious concerns about American politics and society. These events also raise several questions...
Don’t close books just yet on 2020 elections
Don’t close books just yet on 2020 elections Published January 5, 2021 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant Mention election coverage in the aftermath of this year’s tumultuous presidential contest, and many newsrooms will likely turn a collective deaf ear. For most editors and reporters, the next cycle of elections is...
Who do you support on the election ballot?
Who do you support on the election ballot? Published Oct. 1, 2020 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant Election season is in its final stretch, and newspapers have been there at every step. You’ve introduced candidates. You’ve quizzed them on the issues. You’ve covered the debates. Your coverage has laid the...
Tell the stories behind the statistics
Tell the stories behind the statistics Published Aug. 20, 2020 By Jim Pumarlo, Newspaper Consultant Everyday news reports are filled with statistics as COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines.The number of individuals who have tested positive and those who have died of the coronavirus. Patients hospitalized and those in ICU. Confirmed...
Thank you, S.C. journalists
Thank you, S.C. journalists Published June 3, 2020 By Bill Rogers, Executive Director These are very tough but important times for South Carolina journalists.Demonstrations continue over the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.We have seen legal protests turn into violent confrontations with cars set afire, businesses damaged...
Daniel Island News publisher to lead state press association
Daniel Island News publisher to lead S.C. Press Association Suzanne Detar, publisher of The Daniel Island News, has been elected president of the South Carolina Press Association. Suzanne Detar, publisher of The Daniel Island News, has been elected president of the S.C. Press Association after a digital vote of the...
Summerville Communications, Georgetown Communications name Kelly-Gilbert publisher
Summerville Communications, Georgetown Communications name Kelly-Gilbert publisher Susan Kelly-Gilbert has joined Summerville Communications as its new publisher and advertising manager.She is also publisher of Georgetown Communications, which publishes the Georgetown Times and South Strand News.Kelly-Gilbert began with the community news organization in October, working out of the company’s Summerville office...
Garnet Media Group national wins
USC's Garnet Media Group wins multiple first-place honors in prestigious national student media contests Efforts by creative services team and student-run organizations recognized with 17 awardsGarnet Media Group, also known as the Office of Student Media at the University of South Carolina, recently earned national honors in four awards contests...
Trustees’ attorneys release details of Scott settlement
Trustees’ attorneys release details of Scott settlement By Graham Williams, Union County NewsPublished in the newspaper on Aug. 19, 2019Picked up by the SCPA eBulletin on Aug. 28, 2019As part of the settlement agreement between Billy Scott and the Union County Board of School Trustees both parties agreed to release...
Localize national rural health issues
Localize national rural health issues By Al Cross, Into the Issues Rural communities have been disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic, but rural newspapers have been disproportionately quiet about it. They seem to cover it as a criminal-justice problem, when it is primarily a health problem. Smart law enforcers and...
Social Media Insights Lab opens at University of South Carolina
Tom Reichert, Dean, College of Information & Communications | From how we get our news to how we connect with other people, there’s no doubt that social media has changed the game when it comes to communications. The sheer number of users is staggering. Social media companies measure their base...