The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash., Joins The Learning Newsroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESTON, VA--The News Tribune in Tacoma, Wash., is the eighth newspaper selected by the American Press Institute and the American Society of Newspaper Editors to join The Learning Newsroom, a program that works to help newspapers improve readership by improving newsroom training and culture.

The News Tribune's yearlong, on-site training partnership with The Learning Newsroom will begin in October. Once that is concluded there is a second year of follow-up monitoring.
The paper was selected in part because of its existing commitment to improving workplace culture, including its long history as a team-based newsroom, said Vickey Williams, project director for The Learning Newsroom.
"This is a newsroom where people are familiar with non-traditional management models," Williams said. "Since he arrived there in 1994, the paper's editor, David Zeeck, has been focused on creating a place where journalists can do their best work."

As a Learning Newsroom participant, the News Tribune's newsroom will work with experts to foster innovation, improve communication, agree on priorities and set up strategic training.

"Many factors commend the News Tribune as an ideal Learning Newsroom partner," said Andrew B. Davis, API president and executive director. "From its strong training calendar to its commitment to growing readership to its goal of producing one of the most valuable online news sites in the field, this is a forward-thinking newsroom."
"The successful team-based environment at the News Tribune affords the Learning Newsroom a special opportunity," said J. Scott Bosley, ASNE's executive director. "We are very pleased to partner with this strong staff and leadership team."
The Learning Newsroom program is funded through a $1 million grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Ten newsrooms will pilot the program. Lessons learned will be shared by ASNE and built into API's core curriculum when the pilot programs end in 2007.

Newsrooms already participating are The Bakersfield Californian; The Citizen-Times in Asheville, N.C.; the Corpus Christi (Texas) Caller-Times; The Hamilton Spectator in Ontario, Canada; The Herald-Times in Bloomington, Ind.; The Journal Star in Lincoln, Neb.; and The Telegraph in Nashua, N.H.

The Learning Newsroom is part of Knight's $11 million Newsroom Training Initiative. The initiative began in 2003 after 50 journalism groups nationwide called for a unified effort to increase both the amount of training available and the news industry's investment in it.  For details, see www.learningnewsroom.org.

About the American Press Institute

The American Press Institute is an independent educational center for providing skills-training and leadership development in the news industry, offering myriad seminars for newspaper professionals. API houses the Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism, which offers a nationwide forum and educational opportunities for improving the quality of American business journalism. API is also the home of the Media Center, which conducts research, educational programs and symposia and facilitates strategic conversations and planning on issues shaping the future of news, information and media. Visit API online at www.americanpressinstitute.org, or call (703) 620-3611.

About the American Society of Newspaper Editors

With about 750 members, ASNE is the principal organization of American newspaper editors. It is active in a number of areas, including open government, freedom of the press, journalism credibility and ethics, newsroom management, diversity and readership. Visit ASNE online at www.ASNE.org.

About Knight Foundation

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation promotes journalism excellence  worldwide and invests in the vitality of 26 U.S. communities.  Since 1950, when Knight Foundation was created, the foundation has approved more than $260 million in journalism grants. Learn more online at www.knightfdn.org.

Media Contacts:

Larry Meyer
Vice President of Communications
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Wachovia Financial Center, Suite 3300
200 S. Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33131-2349
(305) 908-2610
meyer@knightfdn.org

Lisa Rabasca
American Press Institute
11690 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1498
(703) 715-3322
lrabasca@americanpressinstitute.org