Pennsylvania News Media Association

03/30/2026

Reminder: Nominations for the Audience Development Person of the Year and Newspaper Hero of the Year are due this Tuesday, March 31! 🌟

Honor Pennsylvania’s exemplary news media professionals and submit your nomination today.

🏆 https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/

🏆 https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/audience-development-person-of-the-year/

🏆 https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/newspaper-hero-of-the-year/

Each year, the PNA and the PNA Foundation honor the exceptional work of outstanding professional and student journalists, sales professionals, and newsroom leaders across Pennsylvania. Through our contests and awards, […]

03/29/2026

As part of Sunshine Week, on March 18, the Pennsylvania Center for the First Amendment brought together journalists and attorneys to examine how tools like the Pennsylvania Right-to-Know Law and Pennsylvania Sunshine Act are being used to scrutinize Pennsylvania State University and where transparency gaps persist.

The discussion focused on ongoing challenges in accessing university records and decision-making processes, highlighting tensions between public accountability and institutional resistance.

Panelists included Paula Knudsen Burke (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press), Heather Elyse Murray (Cornell First Amendment Clinic), Melissa Melewsky (Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association), Terry Mutchler (Obermayer Rebmann), Amy Kristin Sanders (Penn State Curley Chair First Amendment), Sara Rafacz (Spotlight PA), Jessica McCallister (Centre Daily Times), and Min Xian (Penn State).

Thank you to all who attended!

03/26/2026

Big news for the future of journalism in Pennsylvania! 🗞️ The PNA Foundation is proud to announce $115,000 in funding for the Newsroom Internship Program, fueling real-world opportunities for the next generation of storytellers.

Now in its second year, the program continues to grow as a statewide hub connecting student journalists with professional newsrooms. And the momentum is undeniable:

📈 77% increase in student applications
📰 44% increase in newsroom participation
🎓 64% increase in student interns
💡 156% increase in program funding

This is what investing in local journalism looks like. Read more in the full press release: https://pnafoundation.org/uncategorized/pna-foundation-announces-115000-in-funding-for-the-newsroom-internship-program/

In its second year, the program aims to create a statewide internship hub connecting student journalists with professional opportunities across Pennsylvania.

03/25/2026

Help strengthen local news across Pennsylvania: Register for the Keystone News Summit today!

Join us April 15-17 at the Hershey Lodge as we build on last year’s momentum through thoughtful dialogue, collaboration and shared learning.

Choose your pass and register today: https://keystonenewssummit.org/register/

Visit the post for more.

03/24/2026

Looking to celebrate excellence in journalism? The Society of Professional Journalists is now accepting nominations for various awards!

This contest is open to all journalists who either lived in Pennsylvania or New Jersey when their work was published or whose work was first published in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Apply by March 31: https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/spj-keystone-pro-chapters-best-in-journalism/

Award Details The Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Pro Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism Awards contest annually recognizes the best in journalism. This contest is open to all journalists who either […]

03/23/2026

🏆 Reminder: Audience Development Person of the Year and the Newspaper Hero of the Year nominations are due Wednesday, March 31! 📰

Join the PNA Foundation in honoring Pennsylvania’s exemplary news media professionals for their outstanding service, steadfast support and enduring success in strengthening their communities.

The Audience Development Person of the Year (https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/audience-development-person-of-the-year/) and Newspaper Hero of the Year (https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/newspaper-hero-of-the-year/) contests are open to PNA member news organizations.

There are no limits on the number of submissions from any news organization. We encourage all members to submit a nomination today!

Butler Eagle publisher Tammy Schuey, The Indiana Gazette publisher Margaret Weaver, former Butler Eagle photographer Morgan Phillips, Butler Eagle assignment editor Tracy Leturgey (Geibel), and Butler Eagle managing editor Donna Sybert pose for a photo as Weaver and Phillips were named as 2025 Newspaper Heroes of the Year.

03/19/2026

We are thrilled to announce that Terry Mutchler has been named PNA Advocate of the Year! 🌟 🏆

Chair of Philadelphia-based Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel LLP’s Transparency and Public Data Practice, Terry Mutchler is a former journalist and the first executive director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Open Records.

“Not only did she launch the Office of Open Records from the ground up and trained reporters, government officials and the public on the state’s overhauled Right-to-Know Law, she has been a steadfast champion of government openness, accountability, and public access to information transparency throughout her career,” said William Cotter, PNA president and CEO.

Access the full press release here:https://panewsmedia.org/wp-content/uploads/Awards/Advocate_of_the_Year/Advocate-of-the-Year-2025-Mutchler-PR.pdf

Learn more about the Advocate of the Year award here: https://panewsmedia.org/legislative-affairs/advocate-of-the-year/

📸 PNA Director of Government Affairs Jan Murphy (right) presents Terry Mutchler with the 2026 PNA Advocate of the Year award.

03/18/2026

Student Keystone Media Awards ceremony registration is now open! 🏆 🗓️ View the complete list of winners to see the students and publications earning top honors.

This year’s winners will be recognized during the awards ceremony Tuesday, April 14 in Harrisburg. Along with the awards presentation, the event will include a job fair, networking, scavenger hunt, training and buffet luncheon.

Register for the Student Keystone Media Awards Event today.

https://panewsmedia.org/event/2026-student-keystone-event/

03/17/2026

The Society of Professional Journalists' Keystone Pro Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism Awards are now open for applications! Apply by March 31.

This contest is open to all journalists who either lived in Pennsylvania or New Jersey when their work was published or whose work was first published in Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Learn more and apply today: https://panewsmedia.org/contests-and-awards/spj-keystone-pro-chapters-best-in-journalism/

Award Details The Society of Professional Journalists’ Keystone Pro Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism Awards contest annually recognizes the best in journalism. This contest is open to all journalists who either […]

03/16/2026

This Sunshine Week, do your part to reinforce the importance of open meetings, accessible public records and government accountability. Help demonstrate the vital role local news plays in keeping communities informed by sharing the free PNA ad campaign. ☀️

Complete this form to access the ads: https://panewsmedia.org/sunshine-week-2026-ad-campaign/

Include this link when sharing digital and social ads: https://panewsmedia.org/legal/pennsylvania-sunshine-act/

03/12/2026

Get ready for Sunshine Week and join us for ‘Sunlight in Happy Valley: Confronting Penn State’s Transparency Gap’ on March 18!

Alongside Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Pennsylvania First Amendment Center and the The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, PNA is proud to present this informative, in-person session in honor of Sunshine Week 2026.

Register today: https://bellisario.psu.edu/events/sunlight-in-happy-valley-confronting-penn-states-transparency-gap

Sunlight in Happy Valley: Confronting Penn State's Transparency Gap

03/11/2026

Engage young readers with high-quality educational content for ages 6–14 at no cost to PNA members with KidsPage!

Each edition includes science, puzzles, fun facts and engaging illustrations, ready to publish as a one-page broadsheet or four-page tabloid. Download today.

One publisher recently shared that after introducing the children’s content, they sold out sponsorship inventory for several publications for the entire year in just one week. Local advertisers were drawn to the “brand safety” and premium environment the educational youth content provides.

After expenses, profits from this single initiative already exceed annual PNA membership dues.

Learn more: https://panewsmedia.org/editorial/free-weekly-childrens-content-for-members/

Engage Young Readers with Free Educational Content Through a new partnership with What on Earth magazine, PNA members can download high-quality educational kids content at no cost. This weekly children’s […]