National Newspaper Assn. sets D.C. lobbying meeting March 13; Bob Schieffer set to speak

Leaders of the National Newspaper Association, the main lobby for rural weeklies, are reminding publishers of the group's annual meeting in Washington next month. "Governments can work for or against us. But when our voices are not heard, it can usually be predicted to go against us. That is why an industry facing the challenges we face in community newspapers cannot afford to be silent." NNA President Robert M. Williams Jr. of Georgia told members in an email today. "That is why we need YOU in Washington on March 12-13 for the We Believe in Newspapers Leadership Summit."

Williams, publisher of The Blackshear Times ("Like by many, cussed by some, read by them all") points out the issues in play: "We do not want to wake up this time next year and find advertising taxes facing us. Or even higher postal rates. Or more cuts in service. Or yet another U.S. Postal Service contract aimed directly at taking our advertising away. No one can do this work for us. Once upon a time, newspapers could count on speaking truth to power on their editorial pages alone. That is no longer enough."

The meeting will be based at the Crystal City Marriott in Arlington. It will begin with a policy briefing on the morning of March 13, followed by individual visits to congressional offices. CBS News anchor Bob Schieffer will speak at dinner that night. Registration information is at www.nnaweb.org. The deadline for hotel registration is Feb. 22.