A guide that shows what the GateHouse Media News & Interactive Division uses to evaluate production expectations of our different newsrooms. This is part of our Inner Circle program, which I manage the evaluation and communication process of, that recognizes newspapers that are meeting newsroom expectations.

1. GateHouse Media ™
NEWS & INTERACTIVE DIVISION
Web Cube, News Cube expectations
Scoring for report cards was based on expectations previously established in the Newsroom Handbook
and through training. Below is a breakdown of production expectations used when grading newspapers.
WEB CUBE EVALUATION NEWS CUBE EVALUATION
Updates Community partner journalism
Newspapers had to produce unique updates that were relevant for Newspapers had to show they had anchored positions for
that day’s edition, not print content held from the previous day. community profiles, such as volunteers, students and coaches of
the week.
1-2 staff members: 6-19 staff members:
0-1: — Fewer than 10: — Daily newspapers: Weekly newspapers:
2-3: √ 10-12: √ None to 2: — None: —
4 and above: √+ 12 and above: √+ 3-4: √ 1: √+
5: √+
3-5 staff members: 20 staff members or more:
Fewer than 5: — Fewer than 15: —
5-7: √ 15-19: √ Public service journalism
8 and above: √+ 20: √+
Newspapers had to show they had anchored positions for public
service journalism formats like “what’s your problem” and “what’s
going on here.”
Photo galleries Requirements were the same for all newspapers.
None: —
Based on one week
1: √+
1-2 staff members: 6-19 staff members:
0: — 0-2: —
1: √ 3-4: √
2 and above: √+ 5: √+
Reader involvement
Newspapers had to show they had anchored reader callouts in
every edition.
3-5 staff members: 20 staff members or more:
0-1: — 0-4 : — Requirements were the same for all newspapers.
2-4: √ 5-6: √ None: —
5: √+ 7: √+ 1: √+
Reader callouts First in Print
Newspaper had to show they had a consistent reader callout on Newspapers had to show they had a daily or weekly, based on their
their homepage that was specific to a theme, like back to school. frequency, promotion for First in Print or a print exclusive program.
Requirements were the same for all newspapers. Requirements were the same for all newspapers.
None: — 1 on homepage: √ More than one: √+ None: —
1: √+
First in Print
Newspapers had to show they had a daily or weekly, based on their
frequency, promotion for First in Print or a print exclusive program.
EXPECTATIONS KEY:
None: — 1 on the homepage: √+ √+ Exceeds √ Meets — Doesn't meet
QUESTIONS? Contact David Arkin, darkin@gatehousemedia.com or 630.936.6070