Vetoing journalists hurts public debate

Maryland citizens will have one opportunity to hear the candidates for governor debate. Monday, September 24, Ben Jealous and Larry Hogan will face off to discuss the issues. Many Maryland news outlets will be on hand to report on the debate, informing and providing context for the public, and representatives from a handful of news organizations will be on the debate panel. One reporter, however, will not be on the panel. Tamela Baker, of The Herald-Mail in Hagerstown, was vetoed from participating in the panel of questioners by Democratic candidate Ben Jealous.

The MDDC Press Association is outraged that Baker, an award-winning journalist covering Maryland politics for decades for The Herald-Mail ... More

The International Trade Commission voted 5-0 on August 29th to reverse the newsprint tariffs that have increased newsprint costs by about 30% since January. This is a huge win for newspapers and local communities across the country. But what happens next? ... More

Last week, a citizen of Dewey Beach, DE, was arrested for theft of a draft audit report which was handed out at the town's Audit Committee meeting. Jeffrey Smith, a long-time open government advocate who has been closely watching the work of Dewey Beach's Audit Committee, received the report at the committee meeting and took it with him at the conclusion of the meeting. Reporters from the Cape Gazette and other news outlets were also present at the meeting and received the same report. After the meeting, the committee chair demanded the draft report be returned. Reporters complied, after making a copy of the report. Jeffrey Smith did not comply. ... More

Delaware's Senator Tom Carper met with representatives from Independent Newsmedia Inc.'s printing and executive teams and MDDC on Tuesday to discuss the ramifications of the newsprint tariffs in effect since January 2018. The story is not pretty. MDDC members have seen newsprint costs rise by about 30% over an eight-nine month period. For instance, INI is spending about $40,000 more PER MONTH on newsprint than it was just one year ago, for less paper. Senator Carper and his staffers educated themselves on this issue and understand how it affects local communities. ... More

The Business Monthly, the biggest selling business publication in Howard and Anne Arundel counties, has changed hands.

Daniel Medinger, an experienced publisher and media executive, has purchased the venerable publication and its digital outlets from current owners Becky Mangus and Cathy Yost. The transaction, that was signed Aug. 6, 2018, takes effect Sept. 1, 2018.
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