Panola Watchman editor selected for Poynter Institute leadership academy

Meredith Shamburger, editor of The Panola Watchman in Carthage, has been selected to attend Poynter Institute's 2019 Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media scheduled in October in St. Petersburg, Fla.
“It’s a pleasure to see one of our own selected for this prestigious training,” M. Roberts Media Regional Publisher Jerry Pye said. “Meredith is one of the best young talents in the business and this will give her the opportunity to meet with journalists from across the county to improve her journalistic skills.”
Shamburger was chosen from more than 400 applicants for the 2019 academies. She is among 29 women joining a network of more than 300 graduates of the program.
“Every women’s leadership academy is special, so we are eager to empower our latest cohort,” said Doris Truong, Poynter director of training and diversity. “Their time at Poynter will give them greater insights into how to manage their teams and themselves. And it’s always special when we have non-U.S. journalists participate because we can find globally relevant solutions to shared challenges in connecting with a 21st-century audience.”
During the intensive program, participants receive one-on-one career coaching from top media executives, learn practical advice on navigating newsroom culture and gain a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully lead today’s digital news organizations.
Shamburger, who grew up in Carthage, graduated from Southern Methodist University in 2011 with a major in journalism and a minor in political science. After graduating, she worked in New York and for the Dallas Morning-News until 2016. Since then, she has worked at M.Roberts Media, first at the Marshall News Messenger, then the Longview News-Journal. She joined the Watchman staff in January 2018 and became editor in July 2018.
Shamburger has received numerous individual and team reporting awards from both the Texas Press Association and the North East Texas Press Association.