You know the old tagline from the state lottery: If you don’t play, you can’t win?
It’s the same for lobbying. If you’re not there, you have no chance. Our industry has no chance.
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.
And that is why we need YOU in Washington on March 12-13 for the We Believe in Newspapers Leadership Summit. You are needed to be the voice for your industry. 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. That is why I am asking you to make room in your budget—tight as it is—and on your calendar (I know it is full). Join me, and your industry leadership, at the Crystal City Marriott March 13. We will go to Capitol Hill together, and WE WILL BE HEARD.
Registration information is on the NNA website at www.nnaweb.org. Cutoff for hotel registration is Feb. 22.
Robert M. Williams Jr.
NNA President and
Publisher of The Blackshear (GA) Times