If you’re just tuning in today, you’ll need to go back and look at page 4A of the Friday Press (or go online) to read the first part of this series, wherein we address the answers to your questions. Here’s the second part.

Q: Can I get a free birthday announcement in the paper?

A: Only if you’re 75 or older, but you can see our ad staff about a paid announcement. We also have birthday forms you can fill out.

Q: What about anniversaries?

A: Sure, and they’re free, once you hit the 25th; otherwise, it’s a paid announcement. After that, we’ll publish every five years free until your 50th, and after that – well, anyone who makes it that long deserves credit!

Q: Will you promise to run my news item exactly as I wrote it?

A: Sorry, no can do. ALL newspapers edit for clarify, to correct grammatical errors, to avoid libelous content, to meet space limitations and to conform to established journalism writing “style.” There are no exceptions to this rule. If you want something to be published exactly as you’ve submitted it, you should see one of our account executives; you’ll need to pay for it. (Incidentally, this is largely the case with paid obituaries, since many of them don’t conform to “style.”)

Q: How do I make sure you publish my items on specific days, or several times?

A: Again, we can’t do this, because we have too many other things to publish for our readers, and our space is limited. You may request that we publish a brief as many times as possible, and we’ll hold it in an embargoed folder, printing it as we have space. We try to honor requested publication dates, but if you want a guarantee, a charge will accompany it. The best way to get several items published about an upcoming event is to submit several items.

Q: How do I get my name kept out of the paper if I’m arrested or sued; if I get married or divorced; or if I file a report with a law enforcement agency?

A: Such items are public record, and we do NOT withhold names from publication, period – no matter who you are. This is our company policy, and an almost universal policy for all newspapers. We get requests like this almost every day, and the answer is always the same. The only names we do withhold are those of juveniles (and then only in criminal cases), and rape victims, though we won’t publish the name of an “accused” individual until a law enforcement agency moves to file charges.

Q: How do I get the best publicity for a political candidate I’m trying to help?

A: Although we will sometimes run brief announcements that candidates will be speaking at a particular venue, in general, we do not offer “free” publicity to political candidates due to the regulations governing political ads. This especially goes for letters to the editor. Fundraiser announcements must be treated as paid ads, as are endorsements (or condemnations, for that matter). During campaign season, only “legitimate” news items about candidates are published as such, and while this obviously means an advantage for incumbents, we do severely limit their “free” exposure. An account executive can help you get the results you need. Call our ad manager, Pam Hutson, or one of her staff.

Q: How do I thank businesses for helping me with a fundraiser or making a donation to my cause?

A: Most folks know that newspaper employees’ salaries are funded through paid advertising. If we allowed repeated “free” publicity for businesses, they’d have no need to buy ads, and we wouldn’t have jobs – nor would you have a community newspaper you could depend on! Such “thank you” lists and other items must be run as paid advertising.