Kev Hamm 12/12/16 Kev Hamm 12/12/16

New study finds Montana news organizations and consumers solidly in the internet age

Greater Montana Foundation report reveals how Montanans use the internet and social media among their news sources and highlights benefits and possible concerns.

December 9, 2016 — Helena, Mont. — A new study commissioned by the Greater Montana Foundation, the organization dedicated to Montana’s communications sector and the issues, trends and values important to Montanans, finds that Montana residents and the news organizations they rely upon are solidly moving toward more internet use. Internet access continues to grow in the state, with some 87 percent of residents having access — and almost three quarters of internet users accessing news through smartphones.

Seeking to measure Montanans’ use of the internet for gathering information, the 2016 Montanans’ Internet News Sources and Use Survey follows last year’s inaugural and unique Issues and News Media Preferences Survey (also commissioned by GMF and conducted by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research) that identified key issues of importance to Montanans and found the state’s citizens rely on both strong traditional news sources — including television, radio and newspapers — and online news outlets. The survey findings released today result from additional work to dig more deeply into the growing use of online news sources by Montanans, including social media and electronic sharing.

“We’re seeing fascinating parallel trends among Montana news consumers and providers,” said Bill Whitsitt, chair of GMF and executive‐in‐residence at UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. “Many Montanans are going to the internet for at least a share of their news while still relying on more traditional television, radio and newspaper sources. At the same time, traditional Montana news organizations have websites named as among the most credible sources of local and state news. It appears that business models are evolving to meet new technology‐based preferences of Montana news consumers.”

“Equally fascinating is that many Montanans who get at least part of their news on the internet, especially from social media sites or through email from others, recognize that some of what they receive may not be credible,” Whitsitt said. “That’s positive and may indicate recognition of citizen responsibility to at least attempt to verify information and sources as credible.”

The Internet News Sources and Use study reveals that of those Montanans who are reading a shared news item from the internet, 38 percent believe the information is somewhat credible and 22 percent believe it is slightly or not at all credible.

On the other hand, Whitsitt pointed out that those who receive forwarded news items tend to believe them if they come from individuals with whom they already tend to agree. And social media users also tend to share news items most with like‐minded individuals.

The study finds that almost a quarter of Montanans (23 percent) who use the internet share online news items via email or social media mostly with people who agree with them. About 36 percent of Montanans who use the internet either share or receive news items mostly with like‐ minded people and limit who can see their social media posts.

“Seeing, hearing and sharing information mainly with people we already agree with may not be as positive if it means we are insulating ourselves in ‘information echo chambers,’ rather than exposing ourselves and being receptive to new and different ideas on important issues,” Whitsitt continued.

In retesting issue priorities identified by Montanans in the 2015 survey, today’s results show the same top five: jobs and the economy (overwhelmingly), education, health care, moral values, and energy and resource development.

About the Greater Montana Foundation

Founded in 1958 by visionary pioneer broadcaster, entrepreneur and philanthropist Ed Craney, the Greater Montana Foundation aims to benefit the people of Montana by encouraging communication with an emphasis on the issues, trends and values of importance to present and future generations of Montanans. Through scholarship and grant programs, GMF funds television and radio programs, webcasts and a variety of other communication initiatives. greatermontana.org

You’ll find additional findings and survey methodology on the separate Fact Sheet available with this press release. A detailed set of results, with cross tabulations, is available by request and will soon be posted here and on the UM Bureau of Business and Economic Research’s website, bber.umt.edu.

The final presentation slide deck can be downloaded here.

Montanans’ Internet Sources and Use Survey Results: News Conference and Stakeholder Discussion

A news conference and discussion among stakeholders regarding the Greater Montana Foundation’s Fall 2016 internet survey was held at the Craney Studio at the Montana Historical Association on December 9, 2016. The news conference portion of the program was approximately 50 minutes. Following the news conference there was a stakeholders’ discussion involving: Larry Abramson, Dean of the University of Montana School of Journalism; Dewey Bruce, President of the Montana Broadcasters Association; Jim Rickman, Executive Director of the Montana Newspaper Association; Jim Senst, Vice President and General Manager of STARadio and GMF Trustee; and many others from media, business, and state government.

The entire program is available below. During the latter discussion portion, there are some microphone technical difficulties from time-to-time, but they do not detract significantly from the important content of the conversation.

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Educational Assistance Grants to Encourage and Support Media Reporting on Jobs, Business and the Economy

The Greater Montana Foundation is now offering new education assistance grants to individual Montana news media professionals and journalism students to strengthen their ability to report more effectively on issues of jobs and the economy. The $500 per person grants are for any course related to these issues, whether on-line or in-person, at any of the state’s post-secondary institutions.

A recent media survey undertaken by GMF indicated that jobs and the economy are the top concern for Montanans, said Chair Dr. Bill Whitsitt. “It is our goal to respond to this concern by providing financial assistance to working journalists and journalism students to improve their knowledge and skills.”

The new grant program was announced at a GMF-sponsored seminar on Jobs, Business and the Economy held at the University of Montana. It was taught by School of Business Administration and School of Journalism faculty, as well as practitioners from media and business.

The grants are being publicized at this time so that working journalists, journalist students and others in related fields can plan to apply in advance of the Spring 2017 semester. Information and application packets are available at the Greater Montana Foundation’s website, www.greatermontana.org.

Dr. Whitsitt said that GMF partners with all types of media organizations, with emphasis on commercial and non-commercial broadcasters, as well as independent producers and organizations, in a competitive grants process.
The grant awards include documentaries, political debates, topical news and public affairs programming, videos and webinars. GMF also funds training for future broadcasters and internships at radio and TV stations awarded through the state’s university system.

Founded by pioneer broadcaster Ed Craney in 1958, the Greater Montana Foundation’s mission is to encourage communication, with an emphasis on electronic media, on issues, trends and values of importance to present and future generations of Montanans.

Please review the program summary, below, prior to completing the grant application.

Background

The Vision/Mission statement of the Greater Montana Foundation is:
The Greater Montana Foundation benefits the people of Montana by encouraging communication with an emphasis on electronic media on issues, trends and values of importance to present and future generations of Montanans.

In accordance with its vision and mission, the Greater Montana Foundation (GMF) has determined by quantitative and qualitative research that Montanans rank issues involving jobs and the economy as the highest priority set of issues facing our state. The Trustees of the Greater Montana Foundation believe that improvements in media reporting on such issues should be encouraged and supported.
The resulting educational assistance program described below has been approved by the IRS to provide grants to qualified applicants without the applicants incurring a tax liability.

Program Summary

In addition to news and public affairs program grants and educational and internship grants that the GMF makes to and through other non-profit organizations such as the University of Montana, the Trustees have approved a program to encourage and assist Journalism students, working journalists and those in direct supporting positions such as editors, news directors and program producers, who wish to improve their knowledge, skills and ability to report on economics, business, jobs and related subjects and who will provide feedback on their progress in so doing. Grants are made to individuals to provide educational incentives and to help defer tuition costs of college- and/or university-level courses in economics, business and related subjects.

Grant Amounts

Grants are $500 per college- or university-level course, transmitted to successful applicants in advance of courses in anticipation of successful completion. Applicants must agree to return grants in the event courses are not successfully completed.

Eligible Grant Applicants

Montana Journalism students, working journalists and those in direct supporting positions such as editors, news directors and program producers are eligible for grants made to individuals selected by the Greater Montana Foundation. Not eligible are GMF employees, trustees, donors, or their relatives.
Grant Consideration Process

The Greater Montana Foundation Grants Committee, with final Board of Trustees approval, determines eligibility of applicants and awarding of grants as necessary during the year, based on the Committee’s evaluation of how well the applicants meet the criteria listed below. Grants are made on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.

Grant Requirements

Grant applicants must plan to attend a Montana institution of higher learning (college or University) and, in the case of working journalist or support field employee, be employed by a Montana news organization.
All prospective grant-receiving students must meet entry, and/or course prerequisite, requirements of the institution providing the course(s) being sought.
Working journalists must obtain a recommendation or endorsement by his/her employer as well as adequate schedule flexibility permission to take a course with GMF assistance.

Students and working journalists must explain why they are applying for the grants, how they anticipate benefitting by the courses, and how they anticipate applying what they will have learned.

Applicants must agree to provide GMF with feedback on the program upon course completion, including educational institution evidence of successful course completion.

Applicants must agree to return all grant funds if a course is not completed.
Applicants must agree to provide, within one year following successful completion of courses, a brief report one year following course completion on:

whether or how their new knowledge and skills were put to practical use to improve media reporting on business, economics and related topics; and,
whether or how they expect they will be able to continue to use knowledge and skills obtained through the program into the future.

Roles of Colleges and Universities

Accredited Montana higher education institutions provide eligible courses from their standard curricula course offerings, and provide to GMF any advice or recommendations they believe to be appropriate regarding the program.
Evaluation

The Greater Montana Foundation compiles and tracks information on the program and its results from participant and educational institution reports and other feedback. Both the GMF Grants Committee and the full Board of Trustees review the program annually to recommend and approve program improvements.

Further information and an application form are available here.

Questions may be addressed to the Executive Director of the Greater Montana Foundation.

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On The Mountain

The Greater Montana Foundation is proud to have been a part of the Emmy-winning production of the story of the Lady of the Rockies with the amazing team at the MTN Studios.

In the winter of 1979, Joyce O’Bill would undergo emergency surgery. Her husband, Bob, would make a promise. If Joyce recovered, he would build a statue. Six years later that promise became a ninety foot tall statue on top of the Continental Divide. This is the story of that promise made reality. A story of a statue, built with donated equipment, volunteer labor and enduring commitment from the people and the community of Butte. The people, that turned a husband’s promise into an enduring tribute, tell their story, decades later, of how the Lady of the Rockies came to stand…On The Mountain.

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2016 Grant Awards

Greater Montana Foundation awards over $300,000 in communications and media education grants

At the annual summer board meeting, the Greater Montana Foundation awarded over $300,000 in 2016 grants, elected two new trustees and launched two education initiatives designed to encourage Montana news reporters to address the top issue identified by Montanans in a 2015 survey: jobs and the economy. The Foundation is also funding a follow-up survey to better understand how Montanans use the Internet to access news.

Helena attorney, Leo Berry, Browning, Kalecyzk, Berry and Hoven law firm, and former Commissioner of State Lands, and Mary Willmarth, Great Falls, co-owner and partner in Vision West, and active in communications and marketing, were named to the board.

“Our grant awards are intended to strengthen quality communications on “issues, trends and values of importance to Montanans with an emphasis on electronic media,” as reflected in our mission statement, “said William Whitsitt, Board Chair. “Using professional surveys to determine what those values are will provide a better focus for our granting. Offering educational opportunities to members of the media to improve their reporting of the top issue, will mean a better informed public.”

Grants provide funding for a wide range of recipients, including Montana PBS and Montana Public Radio, as well as commercial broadcasters and online publications. They also support students in TV and radio at the state’s universities. A variety of documentaries, interview and webinar news programs, and an award-winning after school media training program also received grants.

Ed Craney, pioneer broadcaster, entrepreneur and philanthropist, established the Greater Montana Foundation in 1958, long before public radio and TV or the internet were available. GMF offers awards for excellence and continuing professional development for Montana broadcasters, through the Montana Broadcasters Association EB awards, reflecting Mr. Craney’s emphasis on commercial broadcasting. At the MBA annual convention, GMF funded a debate between Governor Steve Bullock and candidate Greg Gianforte. Also reflecting Mr. Craney’s interest are grants to commercial TV stations, with the most recent to KRTV-MTN, funding a reporter to accompany the Montana National Guard on a training mission to Romania.

GREATER MONTANA FOUNDATION GRANTS BY TOWN - 2016

(GMF awards over $300,000 in grants. Statewide organizations are listed in the towns of their headquarters)

BILLINGS

Billings Library Foundation: $5000 to support the production of four (4) television vignettes as part of a new program to educate the community about the free services available at their local libraries -- with a focus on building literacy. Per the GMF committee's direction, the vignettes were produced with a generic look and message to be applicable to all libraries across the state. Each of the MTN stations in the major statewide markets received the spots in multiple lengths to run as public service announcements or to be used as a sponsored spot with sponsor tag information available at the end of the spot.

MusEco Media and Education: $3000 for Green Smarts with the Green Man, a series of one-minute entertaining and engaging TV vignettes with positive messages integrating responsible natural resource and conservation choices into daily life.

BOZEMAN

Center for Independent Documentary: $5000, continued support to complete Life Interrupted, a feature-length documentary about breast cancer that chronicles the lives and experiences of three unique survivors, including the film maker’s own experiences and a 70 year old Montana tribal member, living on the Fort Belknap Reservation. The shared stories will illustrate the important role that educations plays in successful detection, treatment and survival rates.

Friends of MTPBS: $55,000 for the Montana Friends of PBS Program Fund, including continuing support for numerous programs, among them coverage of the 2016 elections; the completion of a major three hour series on Montana’s noted artist: C.M Russell and the West, scheduled for 2017; The Rundown with Beth Saboe, a new series of providing in-depth coverage of issues that matter to Montanans; Backroads of Montana, and 11th and Grant.

Montana State University School of Film and Photography: $2,000 for the annual Hugh Galusha-Ed Craney award for two outstanding senior film projects.

DARBY

Rosten Foundation for the Media Arts (MAPS): $20,000 for the award-winning MAPS Media Institute free after-school program, serving four county schools, along with a summer session and a week-long intensive “film camp” in St. Ignatius. This public/private partnership combines arts education (film, video, design and music) vocational training and on-the-job experience for students grades 8 through 12. The program integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts and math concepts within multiple hands-on media courses disciplines, including a new entrepreneurial program.

GREAT FALLS

The History Museum: $10,000 for “Thunder Under the Big Sky: The Legacy of the Military in North Central Montana,” with film maker Craig Wirth and Jim Meinert, History Museum Director, who will produce a major television documentary chronicling the importance of the old Army Air Corp, the US Air Force, and the Montana National Air Guard for their historic roles in serving and protecting north central Montana, the United States and the world, using thousands of Montanans to perform this vital role. This will be the museum’s fifth major documentary film.

KRTV-Montana Television Network: up to $4500 in actual and necessary travel-related costs for a TV reporter to accompany members of the Montana National Guard's 16V Cavalry Regiment taking part in "Exercise Saber Guardian,” part of the U.S. European Command's Joint Exercise Program, in Romania in August. It is designed to enhance the relationship between Romania, the U.S., NATO, and Partnership for Peace nations. Coverage focused on the Montana Guard's role in international peacekeeping efforts.

HELENA

Artemis Common Ground: $13,000 in continued support for Home Ground Radio, whose purpose is to encourage in-depth dialog on important issues, through 30 minute conversations with a wide variety of Montanans, interviewed by host Brian Kahn. The award-winning weekly program explores areas of conflict, but highlights the often unseen “common ground” of shared values held by parts of our community often portrayed in opposition. The program is broadcast on Montana Public Radio and on commercial station KGHL 790 AM Billings.

Montana History Foundation: $10,000 as fiscal sponsor for Gary Tyree and Moving Pictures Production, for a video documentary, “Born Under a Bad Sign: The Story of Women in Montana’s First Prison, narrated by Ellen Baumler, Montana Historical Society and Interpretive Historian, and based on her research.

Montana Broadcasters Association: $29,380 for the annual EB awards for broadcast excellence. $5500 for expenses associated with the debate between Governor Steve Bullock and gubernatorial candidate Greg Gianforte, held in June, in conjunction with the MBA Annual Convention.

Montana Historical Society: a $20,000 challenge grant as continued support for the Edmund B. Craney Film and Media Archives, funded with an initial grant of $67,000 at year-end 2015, to launch the first year pilot project. This will ensure the long-term preservation of, as well as access to, Montana’s disappearing film and media history.

LIVINGSTON

Livingston Center for Art and Culture: $3000, as fiscal sponsor for Loose Horses Productions, continued support for post-production editing on Loose Horses, a feature length video documentary that looks at the divisive subject of America’s unwanted horses via the Montana horse auction subculture.

MISSOULA

Montana Public Radio: $15, 000 for the “Montana Jobs and Economic Recovery Report,” featuring enterprise reporting on these issues and when covering the 2016 election and the 2017 legislature.

University of Montana O’Connor Center for the Rocky Mountain West: $5000 for Mountain West News, a daily on-line web-based aggregator news service focused on important issues in the region, with daily news summaries and links to important news stories. $10,000 for Mountain West Voices, a series of innovative radio and multi-media stories about Montana individuals and their communities, produced by Clay Scott, Helena.

University of Montana School of Radio-TV: $36,500 in continued support for various programs including the student documentary, summer internship program, Business Made in Montana, Montana Journal and for two student reporters at the 2017 legislative session.

GRANTS FOR BOARD-INITIATED PROGRAMS - $59,500

Communications Research: In-depth Follow-up Quantitative Survey on Internet Use for News and Information in Montana: $29,000 for survey and roll-out. In 2015, to better inform GMF’s grant making, GMF commissioned a professionally-conducted public opinion poll to determine issues of importance to Montanans and how they receive information on them. Significant insights were gained about internet use and the follow up survey will better inform GMF on how it is used and might be used for news and information.

Educational Assistance Grants: $8000 for a pilot program of up to 16 grants. Because the initial survey indicated that jobs and the economy were the highest priority for Montanans, this program will assist individuals involved with the news by providing educational incentives and help to defer costs of college or university level courses in economics, business and related subjects, to help improve their reporting.

Seminar for Working Journalists: $22,500 for a two-day seminar for working journalists and others in related positions (such as editors, radio and television news directors and producers) interested in exploring new information sources and techniques to improve their jobs, economy and business reporting, at the University of Montana, Missoula. This will include expenses for participants when in Missoula. The seminar will be managed by the new UM Center for Enterprise and Executive Development in cooperation with the UM School of Business Administrations Bureau of Business and Economic Research and School of Journalism.

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Montana Internet Access Reaches National Levels

New study reveals Montanans’ strong reliance on traditional news sources, preference for coverage of local issues and the economy, and growing use of online information sources.

September 10, 2015 — Helena, Mont. — A new study commissioned by the Greater Montana Foundation, the organization dedicated to Montana’s communications sector and the issues, trends and values important to Montana, finds that 84 percent of Montanans today have Internet access at home — the first time Montana has met the nation’s average Internet access rate. The Montana Issues and News Media Preferences Survey, completed earlier this summer by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana with analytical assistance by Public Opinion Strategies, offers the latest measurement of resident Internet access in the state as well as citizens’ top preferences for issues and information sources.

“We’re seeing Montana come full blown into the digital age — both in terms of Internet use to access traditional news sources and exposure to information from new sources,” said Dr. Bill Whitsitt, chair of GMF and executive-in-residence at UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. “Through the survey findings we’re getting valuable insight into Montanans’ growing use of online information sources as well as into the issues that matter to them the most.”

The first statewide survey of its kind to poll Montanans both about the issues that are most important to them and how they get their information about those issues finds that local news from all sources is very closely followed and highly sought — with 48 percent of Montanans considering local community news one of the top three news stories that interest them. The survey also reveals that Montanans consider jobs and the economy the top issue facing the state, followed by education and health care.

“We’re seeing the lines of traditional media blurred — newspapers and TV and radio stations are expanding their online and social media presence, TV reporters are writing online articles and video has become a tool for all outlets not just television broadcast,” Whitsitt said. “Undoubtedly, in a digital world, journalism and communication will continue to evolve and so will Montanans’ media habits.”

As Montanans’ access to the Internet increases, the issues and preferences survey reports that social media usage in the state is also on the rise with 62 percent of Montanans having at least one social media account. Facebook is the most-used social network by Montanans, and one in three are using social media to access news and information.

Even with the mounting options for people to obtain news and information, the survey finds that existing traditional media are holding ground. Television remains the information source Montanans turn to most to get their news. More than 60 percent of Montanans listen to radio for entertainment, news and sports. Community weekly newspapers are read by 52 percent of Montanans in rural counties. And the Billings Gazette online is the most read Montana-based news website in the state.

“Part of our mission at the Greater Montana Foundation is to lead the effort to understand the dynamics of information and issues in the state now and for the future,” said Ron Davis, GMF vice chair. “For the communications sector, knowing how Montanans are getting their news and information about what matters to them is key to how the industry serves our citizens and adapts in a changing world.”

About the Greater Montana Foundation

Please refer to the accompanying Fact Sheet for survey methodology and additional trend analysis of the Montana Issues and News Media Preferences Survey.

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Key findings and Insights Fact Sheet

Key findings and insights from the Montana Issues and News Media Preferences Survey

Major trends in utilization of available information sources:

Traditional sources of news and information are dominant in Montana, but technology — led by online and mobile information sources — is changing how Montanans are informed about their key issues.
Most Montanans turn to local and/or national television and the Internet to get their news: 53 percent television and 49 percent Internet.
The majority of Montanans access local news sources to get their news over national news outlets: 64 percent turn to local TV news, 63 percent regularly read a local daily newspaper and 52 percent read their weekly community newspaper. Radio also continues to be a significant news source.
62 percent of Montanans say they have a trusted information source. Of those, 14 percent cite Fox News as their most trusted news source; 11 percent TV news in general.

Significant trends in Montana’s Internet use and online media consumption habits:

At 84 percent, the rate of Internet access in homes now matches that found nationwide.
In the state’s seven most populated counties the rate of Internet access at home is 89 percent, and in rural counties 75 percent.
Four in 10 Montanans access news online or on a mobile device on a daily basis: 58 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds and 26 percent of adults over age 65.
62 percent of Montanans use social media. 76 percent of men age 18 – 49 are daily users of social media; 46 percent of men over age 50. 75 percent of women age 18 – - - 49 are daily users of social media; 66 percent of women over age 50.
Facebook is the most-used social media network at 59 percent; Pinterest is second at 11 percent.
34 percent of Montanans use social media to access news and information; women age 18 – 49 access news on social media more than any other demographic.

Top 5 issues facing the state:

Jobs and the economy — 32 percent of Montanans consider it the most important issue.
Education — 18 percent of Montanans consider it the most important issue.
Health care — 12 percent of Montanans consider it the most important issue.
Moral values — 8 percent of Montanans consider it the most important issue.
Energy & natural resources development — 8 percent of Montanans consider it the most important issue.
Methodology: The Montana Issues and News Media Preferences Survey was commissioned by the Greater Montana Foundation and conducted by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana. The random-sample survey was completed April through May 2015 and surveyed 526 adults living in Montana. Public Opinion Strategies provided analytical assistance. The survey has a margin of error of ± 4.3 percent.

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GMF Media Survey in the News

The Greater Montana Foundation Media Survey was covered by the Helena Independent Record, KBZK did a story, as did the Montana Newspapers Association.

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Greater Montana Foundation Media Survey

In April of 2015 the Greater Montana Foundation commissioned a Montana-focused survey to discover changing access trends in media and identifying top issues.

Our future grant awards will incorporate these findings and allow for the Greater Montana Foundation to more effectively achieve its mission.

The press release and fact sheet are available here.

GMF Chairman Bill Whitsitt talks about changing communications media technology, media preferences of Montanans, and issues they see as those most important, at the opening session of the Montana High Tech Jobs Summit at MSU in Bozeman on September 13, 2015. His comments were based on a unique public opinion survey commissioned by the Greater Montana Foundation.

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