Guide to Membership for University, College, and Community College Newspapers
Application for Student Newspaper Membership
Student Newspaper Members Listing
MEMBER SERVICES
- EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, CONFERENCES & CONVENTION - Education pays! From top level management conferences to regional workshops, conventions, and seminars on writing, layout and design, ad sales, technology, and other topics, MPA and the MPA Education Foundation offer members training opportunities that are affordable and convenient -- including training via the Community College Network, a statewide interactive videoconferencing network. Students and journalism professors always get discounts on registration fees.
- STUDENT NEWSPAPER CONTEST - Compete with the best in Mississippi! Student journalists are motivated with professional recognition and awards. In addition to the Better Newspaper Contests for regular member newspapers and the advertising agency contest, MPA has a Student Newspaper Contest for member student publications. And, beginning with the 1998-99 contest period, it includes two divisions for college journalists-a community college level as well as the four-year college level.
- WWW.MSPRESS.ORG (you are here) - MPA provides a website where members can receive press releases, camera ready ads, news stories, job bank listings, continuing education information, and much more. Businesses, universities and other organizations can have MPA distribute their news information via the website for a small fee. Newspaper members are more likely to use the information from the website since it doesn't have to be typeset. Members can even send and receive internet e-mail via the website. Just call to set up an e-mail address with MPA.
- PUBLICATIONS - MPA's monthly bulletin links member newspapers with other members, keeping you updated and informed on a broad scope of industry-related issues and member news. The quarterly FOURTH ESTATE newsletter records the history of the association and its associates with photos and stories. The membership directory lists up-to-date vital statistics of members and the quarterly rate card lists current rate and data information for all member newspapers.
- JOB BANK - MPA acts as a clearinghouse for professionals seeking employment in the newspaper industry. Available positions and job seekers are listed. Send resume or call MPA with information to be shared. Internships and students available as interns are included at appropriate times.
- LENDING LIBRARY - If your budget doesn't permit the purchase of training materials for your staff, no need to worry. Just borrow training videos, tapes and books from MPA. A listing of available library materials can be viewed on the MPA website or obtained by calling the MPA office.
- PRESS CARDS - Regular newspaper members, student newspaper members and associate members receive a PRESS card acknowledging MPA membership and an interest in a high standard of ethics for journalism professionals.
- MEDIA HOTLINE - It's like having your own staff media attorney. One call to the hotline could save your student newspaper, college or university thousands of dollars in legal fees. Both pre- and post-publication advice is offered regarding libel, privacy, access and other First Amendment issues. Up to one hour of FREE legal assistance is available per incident as a member benefit.
- GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - The MPA is helping to protect newspapers' business and First Amendment interests in the state legislature as well as at the national and local levels. In 1998 laid the groundwork to establish the Mississippi Center for Freedom of Information.
- HEALTH INSURANCE - The MPA can't solve the health insurance crisis, but it can provide solid benefits for members and their staff through its Blue Cross/Blue Shield group plan.
- LIBEL INSURANCE - Newspapers need more than the Bill of Rights to protect their business. Without adequate insurance a newspaper could be lost. MPA members can save money with the premium discounts available because of the MPA legal hotline and MPA's endorsement of the NNA's "Libel Plus" plan through Walterry Insurance Brokers.
- COLLECTION AGENCY - No business can afford to keep writing off losses. MPA members can get help from professionals -- proven techniques administered by one of the best in the business -- I. C. Systems.
- INTERNSHIPS/SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS/PROGRAMS - The MPA Education Foundation offers paid summer internships, journalism scholarships for up to four years, grants to purchase needed equipment for journalism schools, and other education related opportunities throughout the year. A new training conference will soon be offered to journalism students as well as working professionals: The O. C. McDavid Journalism Conference - Coverage of Lifestyles and the Arts, underwritten by a memorial fund established in 1998 by the McDavid family.
Article III, Section 4
Any bona fide student newspaper of any four-year College or university or any two year community college located within the state of Mississippi, whether state supported or private, shall be eligible to become a Student Member of the Association, provided that such newspaper is originated and published for the dissemination of current news and intelligence of varied broad and general interest to the university or college community and is not published, sponsored or financed by or to further the interests of any particular sect(s), fraternal organization(s), profession(s), or trade(s), or other special group(s) or class(es) of persons; and provided that such newspaper is, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the association, of the highest ethical and journalistic standards which would reflect credit on this association.