The Minnesota News Council Thursday issued a decision narrowly supporting the use of anonymous sources in an August report on DFL finances posted by the on-line publication MinnPost.com.

In a hearing on a complaint filed by DFL Chair Brian Melendez against MinnPost, the Council also ruled 12-to-1 that before MinnPost published its original story, reporter Doug Grow gave the DFL an adequate opportunity to respond to the accusations made, but again split 8-to-5 in favor of MinnPost on the question of whether the publication responded appropriately to the issues raised in the DFL Party’s complaint. More »

The deadline for submissions has been extended to December 23, 2009.
Honor fair and trusted journalism at your newspaper!

Are you proud of your political coverage during the most recent election cycle?  Did you cover a particularly difficult social or political issue in your area this year?  Do you think the work improved your community?  Nominate your work for the 2010 Rasmussen Family Fairness Award today.

The award, established to honor and promote fair and balanced journalism will be presented by the Minnesota News Council and the family of former Minnesota publisher Duane Rasmussen at the Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention. More »

Presented by the Minnesota News Council and the League of Women Voters Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Newspaper Association

The Minnesota News Council and the League of Women Voters Minnesota in cooperation with the Minnesota Newspaper Association and its 143rd annual convention are pleased to present a Pre-Caucus Gubernatorial debate on Wednesday, January 27, 2010.

For 30 years, the League of Women Voters Minnesota has successfully sponsored non-partisan debates with candidates in an effort to educate the public about campaign issues, provide an opportunity for voters to hear candidates discuss those issues face-to-face, and stimulate public interest and participation in the election.

The Minnesota News Council is pleased to present this opportunity for members of the Minnesota media community and the general public to hear from the 2010 Gubernatorial candidates in advance of the February precinct caucuses.  The event also marks the opening night of the 2010 Minnesota Newspaper Association Convention.

All declared major party candidates for governor (as defined by the Minnesota Secretary of State) have been invited to participate in the debate.  Stay tuned to our Web site for more information.

RECEPTION | 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

The pre-debate reception will feature hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Reception attendees will have a chance to visit with candidates and the media prior to the event.  Tickets are $25.

DEBATE | 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The gubernatorial debate is free and open to the public. Seating for the debate begins at 6:00 p.m.  Tickets are free; pre-registration is required.

SPIN ROOM | 8:30 – 9:30

All credentialed media will be permitted into this unique opportunity to interview candidates and campaign surrogates along with representatives of the Major Parties.

CHECK-IN | Starting at 4:30 p.m.

The registration desk will be open at 4:30 and will remain open until the start of the debate.  You will receive your event ticket at the check-in desk.  Tickets must be presented at the door for entry into the event.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

No outside audio or video recording will be allowed at the event except by credentialed media.  If you require media credentials, or a blogger looking to cover the event, please email Minnesota News Council Executive Director Sarah Bauer at sarah.bauer@news-council.org.

The Minnesota News Council and the League of Women Voters Minnesota are both non-partisan, non-profit organizations.  In this spirit, event attendees will not be allowed wear clothing promoting candidates or bring candidate signage or stickers into the event.

We invite public input for the debate questions.  If you would like to submit questions for the candidates to answer at the debate, please email them to info@news-council.org.

LOCATION

Sheraton Bloomington, Minneapolis South
7800 Normandale Boulevard
Minneapolis, MN 55439

QUESTIONS

Please email Minnesota News Council Executive Director Sarah Bauer at sarah.bauer@news-council.org.

REGISTRATION

Click here to register for the event.

Click here to support this event with a financial contribution.

Follow the debate and debate news on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mn_newscouncil and #TMPDebate2010.

What: CCE Headliners, December Edition featuring Nora Paul, Director of the Institute for New Media Studies at the University of Minnesota

When: Thursday, December 3 | 7:00 p.m.

Where: U of MN Continuing Education and Conference Center, 1890 Buford Ave., U of M St. Paul campus

Cost: $10 More »

When: December 9, 2009
Registration 5:30 pm; program 6:00-7:30 pm

Where: Coffman Memorial Union Theater, University of Minnesota- East Bank Campus

Cost: $5 MIC members, cosponsors and students | $15 Non-members

Advance registration and payment is required. More »

Where: Minneapolis Central Library
Room: Pohlad Hall
When: Tuesday, Jan. 26, 7 p.m.

The Twin Cities are consistently ranked one of the most literate places in the country. Executive directors from Graywolf Press, Coffee House Press, Milkweed Editions and The Loft Literary Center will discuss why so many nationally-recognized literary organizations have thrived here, tell tales of the literary life, and share their vision of what readers and writers can expect in the days ahead.

Presented in partnership with the Loft Literary Center, Coffee House Press, Milkweed Editions and Graywolf Press. Co-presented by the Library Foundation of Hennepin County.

Best-selling author, and host of A Prairie Home Companion, Garrison Keillor will discuss his new book, A Christmas Blizzard, on Wednesday, December 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the University of Minnesota Bookstore in Coffman Memorial Union.

A Christmas Blizzard is vintage Keillor, a wry, witty look at a contemporary Scrooge that is sure to please. Follow the journey of James and Joyce Sparrow as they struggle with each other, Christmas in general, and their life circumstances. Everything changes when James finds himself snowed-in in a fishing shack during a blizzard where he meets a wolf, the Big Hair Lady, and a Chinese wise man, each attempting to teach him the great mystery of life.

Keillor will sign copies of his book following the discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Reserved seating and priority signing placement is available for the first 100 customers who purchase A Christmas Blizzard from the University of Minnesota Bookstore or its web site.

When: January 27 – 29, 2010

Where: Sheraton Bloomington Hotel Minneapolis South

What: The 143rd Annual Convention will feature a trade show, a multitude of speakers and professional development opportunities, several keynote sessions, and the annual Better Newspaper Contest Awards Banquet.

More information and registration coming soon!

We are pleased to offer our monthly newsletter in an online format. If you have not signed up to receive this monthly update, please sign up to join our mailing list at the top of our homepage.

In this issue:  please support the News Council on GiveMN’s “Give to the Max” day, read about exciting new changes at the News Council, and read a recap of our fall forum.

You can view Newsworthy Online by clicking here.

Please consider making a year-end gift to the News Council on Tuesday, November 17th. We are partnering with GiveMN.org make the online giving process even easier.

Every donation made during Give to the Max Day will now receive a portion of the $500,000 match. This means the exact amount matched per dollar donated will be determined after Give to the Max Day concludes. We will divide the $500,000 of matching funds by the total donations.

This means that on November 17, your gift to the News Council will go even further!

Visit our GiveMN page to make your year-end gift today!