April 20, 2004

THIS ISSUE:

Credibility Survey: Readers react to graphic Fallujah photos

Great Ideas: The hunt is on for readership ideas to share at the conference

Cooperation: Members cited for sharing news, photos

IMPORTANT CONTEST NOTICE: The Associated Press Managing Editors has revised its 2004 contest cycle. These will be key dates for the Freedom of Information, Public Service, Online Convergence and International Perspective Awards: May 31 - Contest period ends June 1 - Postal deadline for sending entries June 7 - Entries must be received at APME offices in New York This action is due to AP's scheduled headquarters move in July. APME's offices are part of that move. We regret any inconvenience.

CREDIBILITY PROEJCT SURVEYS READERS ABOUT GRIM WAR PHOTOS
Twenty-nine news organizations across the country queried 13,642 readers early this month to find out how they felt about newspapers publishing photographs of a gruesome killing of four foreigners in Fallujah, Iraq. More than 2,000 readers responded with outspoken but divided remarks. Nineteen news organizations have published stories about the Fallujah Photo project so far; links are posted on the Web site of APME's National Credibility Roundtables project.

On April 1, The Observer of Charlotte, N.C., published the graphic "bridge photo" from Fallujah on page A1 and, in the cutline, referred inside to an editor's letter inviting readers to call in with comments. The newspaper received more than 200 calls from both critics and supporters. Without the note, says Joe Sovacool, Charlotte's CPR (Connecting the Paper with Readers) Team Leader, the newspaper likely would have heard only from those offended. "Along the way," Sovacool wrote in a note to the Roundtables project, "we offered some callers -- those who not only felt strongly but who were also well-spoken and civil -- an opportunity to be part of the reaction story that was coming together for the (April 2nd) paper." Editor Jennie Buckner's letter to readers and The Observer's follow-up story are posted on the Credibility Roundtables site.

LET US SHOWCASE YOUR "GREAT IDEAS" IN LOUISVILLE
The hunt for Great Ideas 2004 is under way, so gain exposure for your best work by contributing to this year's booklet and presentation at the Louisville conference. Our goal is an even better Great Ideas booklet and workshop, showcasing the best efforts from newspapers of every size. Content contributions will be needed throughout the year. Great Ideas are anything that other editors can learn from, including cutting-edge concepts or improvements to things that we do every day. Possibilities include:

• Outstanding content from any section
  
• Ideas that generate reader involvement
  
• Content strategies or niche publications that work to capture hard-to-reach audiences
  
• Content for young readers
  
• Newsroom management concepts that forward creativity, teamwork
  
• Approaches that forward diversity in the newsroom or in the community
  
• Photography and graphics content
  
• Bringing news of the world to the reader's door
  
• Web strategies, especially as they relate to breaking or in-depth coverage
  
• Just plain cool stuff
  
• Strong approaches to community news
  

E-mail descriptions of your ideas and electronic page images to Lance Johnson, managing editor of The Day in New London, Conn.. Tearsheets will be accepted and photographed, but electronic images are preferred. Final deadline is Aug. 15, but please don't wait until then.

COOPERATION KUDOS: MEMBERS CONTRIBUTE TO AP REPORTS
These members will receive APME Instant Citations for their assistance on recent stories.

To receive e-mail notification of new APME Updates write to APME@ap.org

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