Membership dues will decline dramatically for most American Society of News Editors members and prospective members under a new dues structure unveiled today. Under the new plan, ASNE returns to graduated dues rates based on the size of a member’s organization and his or her position within the company.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) had bipartisan support and its eventual passage appeared inevitable on Dec. 14, when ASNE became the first journalism organization to oppose the bill. By this past weekend, the bill’s progress had stalled, leaving almost no chance that it would pass in its original form.

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which is likely to be voted on by the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, Dec. 15, would violate the constitutional rights of free speech and due process, and stifle innovation in the news business, ASNE says in a letter sent today to members of the committee. ASNE opposes piracy and supports the committee's efforts to eradicate it, but a scalpel is needed to strike the proper balance between copyright and free speech. SOPA is a sledgehammer.

The Internet exploded in umbrage last week when a federal court ruled that blogger Crystal Cox doesn't qualify for protection as a journalist under the Oregon shield law. But a close examination of the judge's opinion reveals that the online anger over his interpretation of the shield law is largely misplaced. ASNE counsel Kevin Goldberg explains.

Finding good, diverse talent on the business side is just the beginning. Convincing them to join your organization is the real challenge. Growth in mobile is going to be huge and companies need to plan an aggressive strategy. The ability to collaborate and innovate are essential for today’s executives. Those are just three key take-away messages from the second day of the “Leadership in Diversity: New Models for Growing Audience, Talent & Revenue” held last week at the New York Times Conference Center.