DONEGAL MEDIA GROUP NEWS AGENCY LLC
FAQ
The word "Donegal" pays homage to our local municipality -- West Donegal Township in western Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This scenic farming area in the "Pennsylvania Dutch Country" was settled by Irish immigrants from County Donegal, mainly during America's colonial era.
WHY HAVEN'T I EVER HEARD OF YOUR FIRM?
You've probably seen, heard or read our work, you just didn't know it. We usually work behind the scenes. Over time, we expect to gain higher visibility and name recognition to the general public within our market area.
We are legally bound by confidentially and non-disclosure agreements that protect the anonymity of our clients, some of which are large media organizations who don't want it known they are using outside resources.
DO YOU COVER VENUES OTHER THAN YOUR SPECIALTY AREAS?
Occasionally we do, but we prefer to stay within the fields of history, science and technology. We consider other venues on a case-by-case basis, especially those of news significance that may be overlooked by traditional media sources.
No. We are "accredited working press" who cover the news daily as professional news media. We don't do speculative work like many self-employed freelancers who aren't tied to a specific news organization. However, we differ from most media because we typically aren't the end-users of our own news products. Our business model loosely resembles news services such as AP, UPI or Reuters, but with a narrower focus, differing methodologies, and a regional emphasis.
DO YOU COVER VENUES OUTSIDE OF THE
MID-ATLANTIC?
Sometimes we do travel to adjoining states, depending on the newsworthiness of the story. In the past, we've covered some news events in New England and as far south as Florida.
Yes. There are limited applications where the use of small unmanned aircraft can play a role in covering new events within FAA rules. We support the commercial use of drones and are working to integrate our own small UAS into our business model.
DO YOU LOAN EMPLOYEES TO OTHER MEDIA COMPANIES?
During slow news cycles, we may permit an employee to be a temporary contractor for a specific assignment, providing there's no conflict of interest. However, normally our workload is too heavy and the loss of even one employee can have a severe impact on our own news gathering capabilities.
DO YOU OFFER LIVE TELEVISION FEEDS?
We currently have two Electronic News Gathering (ENG) vans, but neither is equipped with a microwave transmission tower. This is very expensive technology and have chosen, at this time, to invest in studio equipment upgrades. However, we plan to offer more sophisticated services as our business expands.
CAN AN INDIVIDUAL
PURCHASE YOUR SERVICES?
Ordinarily not. We're strictly a business-to-business firm working directly with other media. Our products can only be used for news purposes. However, we're willing to discuss your print or broadcast needs and may be able to offer alternative solutions.
CAN I INTERN FOR DMG?
We offer the opportunity for one qualified undergraduate or graduate student to intern for us each academic year. This program provides real, resume-building experience for those seeking a career in the news media. Our innovative program, according to many past participants, has been a real game-changer in terms of exposure to real-world media experiences that simply can't be replicated in an academic environment. One of our former interns is now employed by a major Chicago TV station.
Unfortunately, there's no way for us to answer this due to our unusual business model. We only gather news and aren't the end-user of our news packages. We make news immediately available to our media partners (print, broadcast and web). Our clients' respective news directors or editors -- located across six states -- decide how, when and where to use this news, consistent with our terms of usage and customary news practices. We don't have the technical capability or resources to track individual usage.
Due to the extremely competitive nature of the news business, we're unable to provide pricing online. However, we'll be fully transparent with any media seriously interested in utilizing our varied services. Just contact us and we'll arrange a meeting to set the stage for a long-term, productive business relationship. You'll quickly discover the financial benefits of dealing with a small, flexible and talented organization that's fully committed to achieving exceptional results.
