The Texas Ethics Commission recently revised rules regulating disclosures in online political advertising. Among other changes, the new rule exempts political advertising shared or re-posted on social media by persons other than a candidate or political committee from general requirements to disclose the message as political advertising and to identify the candidate or person responsible for the ad.
By Paul C. Watler
Q: Our county sheriff caught and penned a few head of cattle that broke fence and then merely posted what he considered a “notice of estray” on his social media page. I told him those notices are supposed to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county, etc. He said he doesn’t have to. I am familiar with the publication law so what I am looking for is a Texas Attorney General opinion that backs up what I am telling the sheriff. Can you help?
I’m like the kid in that proverbial candy store this week, unable to decide which tempting morsel to sample first.
My brain receptors and neurotransmitters are completely overstimulated from three days spent with Texas Press Association friends, old and new.
First, a disclaimer: I had very little to do with the planning or execution of TPA’s 2019 Convention & Trade Show, nor can I claim any responsibility for its success. So when I proclaim it a success—and a stunning one – I take absolutely no credit.
Roy Eaton and Bob Schieffer sharing stories from 60 years in journalism.
Two old friends reminiscing about the early days of their careers together and sharing stories from more than 60 years in journalism provided some of the most memorable moments of the 2019 Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show.
Wise County Messenger President Roy Eaton, the 2019 Mayborn Award winner, and legendary broadcast journalist Bob Schieffer, retired CBS News anchor and chief Washington correspondent, sat down together on stage Saturday morning for the final program of the convention.
Roy Eaton received the Frank W. Mayborn Award for Community Leadership from TPA President Laurie Ezzell-Brown at the annual TPA convention in Denton.
The Frank W. Mayborn Award for Community Leadership was presented to Roy Eaton, president of the Wise County Messenger, at the closing event of the Texas Press Association convention and trade show in Denton. TPA President Laurie Ezzell Brown made the presentation.
The award includes a $3,000 journalism scholarship to help a student at school of the recipient’s choice. Eaton said he was putting Texas Center for Community Journalism Director Dr. Tommy Thomason in charge of awarding the scholarship to a TCU student.
Stephen Collins, veteran sports editor of The Alvin Sun and The Alvin Advertiser, receives the Hartman Award For Excellence in Sports Writing from Fred Hartman of Hartman Newspapers.
Stephen Collins, veteran sports editor of The Alvin Sun and The Alvin Advertiser, was awarded the Fred Hartman Award by the Texas Press Association.
Fred Hartman, grandson of the award’s namesake, made the presentation at the Texas Press Association Convention and Trade Show in Denton. He noted that Collins, a long-time employee of the Hartman Newspapers publication The Alvin Sun, was a two-time winner of the award. He was previously honored in 2014.
Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame inductees (from left) Donnis Baggett, Bill Cooke and Chuck Hubbs (representing the late Barney Hubbs) with Texas Newspaper Foundation President Greg Shrader.
The 2019 Texas Newspaper Foundation Hall of Fame induction ceremonies celebrated generations of service to the newspaper industry and local communities.
Members of the 2019 class of inductees are Bill Cooke of Rockdale, Donnis Baggett of Bryan and the late Barney Hubbs of Pecos.
Staff changes, additions and promotions at Texas newspapers.
Obituaries published in the February 2019 Messenger
Obituaries published in the January 2019 edition of the Texas Press Messenger.