As part of ongoing cost-cutting by its parent company, the 26-year-old alt-weekly will publish its last print edition next week. Its website will remain, and the paper may resume publishing when the economy improves, according to Maurice Jones, president and publisher of the Virginian-Pilot, which owns Port Folio. The Pilot is also laying off 30 employees, including some at Port Folio.

Continue ReadingPort Folio Weekly’s Print Edition to be Suspended

A federal shield law that would protect reporters from testifying about confidential sources was re-introduced in the Senate on Friday, just two days after shield legislation was re-introduced into the House. The Senate bill, S. 448, was introduced by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.). The bill is similar to a previous shield law that was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee in 2007.

Continue ReadingFederal Shield Law Reintroduced in Senate

Since we made note last week of Academy for Alternative Journalism graduate Ling Ma's recent Chicago Reader cover story, we'd be remiss not to mention that fellow class of 2008 alum Rich Knight also had a cover story in the Reader recently. Knight's Jan. 8 piece profiled Chicago's Michael "Frosti" Zernow, who some speculate could become the first superstar in the emerging sport of parkour.

Continue ReadingAnother AAN Diversity-Program Alum Pens Cover Story

Last month, Phoenix New Times reported on three flight attendants facing a lawsuit from a US Airways pilot for daring to report their safety concerns to federal regulators. "Now New Times is getting sucked into the litigation," the paper reports. "[The pilot's attorney] filed a subpoena last week demanding that we turn over all our notes, as well as any documents provided to us by the flight attendants." New Times reports that the attorney is also attempting to subpoena information about people who've posted messages on a fund-raising website erected by the flight attendants.

Continue ReadingPilot Demands Alt-Weekly’s Notes in Suit Against Whistleblowers

"You're not picking cotton under a blazing Mississippi sun, man. You're not digging ditches in pools of raw sewage. You draw cartoons," San Diego CityBeat columnist Edwin Decker writes in response to alt-weekly cartoonists who've recently lamented the downturn in the alt-cartoon market. "There are a bizillion artists out there, writing, drawing and sculpting in obscurity, never to be paid a dime for their labor of love, or receive fanfare -- going out of their effin' minds every day craving something that resembles an audience or a paycheck." MORE: Lloyd Dangle of "Troubletown" responds, calling Decker's column "some of the most humorless, self-pitying, gen X, real-artists-must-starve hyperbole I've seen in a long time." And comic artist Jason Yungbluth has a bit of advice for Decker: "Let me suggest that you actually demonstrate some solidarity with the brothers of your profession instead of evacuating your bowels on them."

Continue ReadingColumnist to Alt-Cartoonists: ‘Don’t Tell Me About Hard Times’

Six businesspeople tell the East Bay Express that sales reps from the popular user-generated review site promised to move or remove negative reviews if their business would advertise. "In another six instances, positive reviews disappeared -- or negative ones appeared -- after owners declined to advertise," the Express reports. Similar accusations were made by California small business owners last fall. Yelp officials deny that they move negative reviews. "We wouldn't be in business very long if we started duping customers," chief operating officer Geoff Donaker says.

Continue ReadingMore Accusations of ‘Extortion’ by Yelp

Boston Phoenix staff writer David Bernstein was named Journalist of the Year by the New England Press Association. He also brought home two additional first-place awards for the Phoenix -- in the Investigative Reporting and Serious Columnist categories. "Mr. Bernstein's in-depth articles are compelling and hyper-relevant, challenging myths and assumptions with sharp, clear reporting and a highly readable writing style," the judges write. "Very impressive!" All in all, the Phoenix won another nine awards, including additional first-place wins for Convergence and Reporting on Religious Issues. Worcester Magazine took home six awards, including first-place finishes in the Personality Photo, Social Issues Feature Story and Local Ad: Color categories. Boston's Weekly Dig won four awards, finishing first in Educational Reporting, Infographics and Transportation/Commuter Reporting. The Portland Phoenix also won four awards, and placed first in the General News Story category.

Continue ReadingFour AAN Members Win Scores of Regional Press Awards