Interactive features highlight National Newspaper Week

Saturday, October 6, 2007
Photos for the Your Newspaper, Start Here Photo Contest must incorporate the Sunday Herald-Tribune, Fort Scott Tribune or Nevada Daily Mail in some fashion. At left, Tony Wade becomes the centerpiece of the Herald-Tribune, under the apt headline "Wonders of wildlife." Possibilities are endless. For contest details, see the story above or visit www.nevadadailymail.com or www.fstribune.com -Lynn A. Wade/Herald-Tribune-

The Sunday Herald-Tribune, Fort Scott Tribune and Nevada Daily Mail are taking advantage of National Newspaper Week, Oct. 7-13, to offer readers a chance to be the editor -- well, sort of, anyway -- to win a photo contest for a chance to have your photo featured in the newspaper, and maybe another surprise thrown in for good measure; and to show our appreciation for readers and customers with special activities, a drawing for prizes more.

"We have an exciting week planned, and the best thing about it is that we'll be offering a unique chance to our readers to tell us how they'd handle some of the issues we face behind the scenes, plus a chance to showcase photos from our readers in a fun, unique way. It's your newspaper. We want to offer you a special chance to be a part of it," said Sunday Herald-Tribune Re-gional Editor Lynn Wade.

You Be the Editor

Readers in Missouri and Kansas can take part in the Sunday Herald-Tribune's "You Be the Editor" feature.

Below, and on the Web sites, is a series of questions relating to behind-the-scenes dilemmas often faced in newsrooms.

"We're asking the readers to let us know how they'd handle these situations if they were in our shoes. We've chosen scenarios that commonly come up in the world of journalism, and they're much-debated every time they do; so we'd like to know what you think. Next week, we'll print a summary of your answers, along with what we would have done," Wade said.

Readers can respond to any one or all of the scenarios online at www.fstri-bune.com or www.nevadadailymail.com. Nevada readers can send an e-mail to editor@nevadadailymail.com, or bring or mail responses to the Nevada Daily Mail, 131 S. Cedar St., Nevada MO 64772. In Fort Scott, respond by e-mailing editor@fstribune.com, or by bringing or mailing your responses to the Fort Scott Tribune, 12 E. Wall, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

* Local police conducted a sobriety checkpoint, and you photographed a prominent citizen's family member being given a field sobriety test. The person was not charged, and it's the best-looking photo you have. Can you publish the photo? Should you? Why? why not?

* A sports figure is charged with date rape; do you name the accuser? What if other news outlets have already named the accuser? When is it appropriate to name the accuser in sex crimes? What length should you go to to protect an alleged victim's identity? Should measures to protect the identity of alleged sex crime victims extend to the newspaper's Web site and comments on it from the public?

* Your reporter is covering a murder case and writes several pre-trial stories, using testimony at the preliminary hearing and court documents. The judge has issued no restrictions. After two stories have been published, the county prosecutor, asks you to tell your reporter to back off on coverage, because the defense attorney has asked for a change of venue, claiming the stories may have prejudicedthe jury pool and that a change of venue would be costly to the county. Do you tell the reporter to back off? Do you let him continue with pre-trial coverage? Please explain your decision.

Your Newspaper, Start Here Photo Contest

"Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to send us your most creative photos. The catch is that photos must somehow incorporate the Sunday Herald-Tribune, The Fort Scott Tribune or the Nevada Daily Mail. Have fun. We can't wait to see how creative you are," said Wade. "Next Sunday, we'll publish the three winning photos."

Photos may be submitted via e-mail to editor

@nevadadailymail.com, editor@fstribune.com or tbeerbower@fstribune.com; prints, CDs or discs containing photos may be brought or mailed to the Nevada Daily Mail or Fort Scott Tribune offices. Photos will not be returned.

Photos must include the name, address and phone number of the photographer and may include a short caption if desired. Photos must be received no later than 10 a.m., Friday, Oct. 12, to be considered for the contest.

All three newspapers will sponsor special events throughout the week, so watch for special opportunities in the pages of the Nevada Daily Mail and Fort Scott Tribune, or visit www.nevadadailymail.com or www.fstribune.com for information.

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