Why we’ll continue
In the Light
I didn’t take journalism in college. Well, maybe one class called “media” or something. I don’t remember, that’s been 104 years ago it seems.
I chose another course of action and I have, however, forsaken my college credits and college counselor’s advice, and worked in the newspaper business for 35-plus years.
Just a little “FYI.”
I was asked some time ago to write a “state of the newspaper.”
So, buckle up, this may be wordy, it may get long.
But I believe in newspapers and not because it’s my paycheck.
I believe in community institutions like The Courier News.
I believe, with all of my heart, that newspapers, the media, a free press, is one of the three factors — if not the number one — of a free society.
Melodramatic?
Yes. Definitely, yes.
The other two factors are education and the right (the obligation as a citizen) to vote.
I spent many hours researching statistics on newspapers; trends in newspapers; reading articles and op-ed pieces by “newspaper” experts, etc., etc.
I came up with …
Nothing.
Or rather, nothing original, nothing captivating, nothing sublime.
Working at a newspaper, being a newspaperman, being part of the print media … It is unlike anything you have, or will, experience in your life. It can’t be described in words.
Because it’s not just a job, it’s protecting the First Amendment.
Trust me … If you don’t take that seriously, you are truly ….
So, here’s this:
• There are 10 million quotes and anecdotes from famous and infamous folks throughout history saying something profound — and obviously worth repeating through several generations — concerning the importance of a free press and the venue a free press generally uses: Newspapers.
And why is that? Why would a free press use newsprint?
Simple: Newspapers make mistakes. Newspapers are manned by human beings — mere mortals.
But a newspaper owns its mistakes. Those mistakes are in print. It’s kinda hard to deny them.
It’s like a reporter saying, “I didn’t write that.”
“Uh … Here’s the copy of the paper.”
A newspaper retracts, it runs corrections and clarifications.
A newspaper doesn’t delete, hide, or try to misdirect.
A newspaper can’t.
A good newspaper holds itself accountable, just like it holds elected officials and newsmakers accountable.
And I mean EVERY SINGLE DAY.
• Newspapers are in danger everwhere, and it’s not just a “revenue problem,” as frequently cited in numerous articles about the so-called demise of newspapers.
Every business has revenue problems. That’s not new and it’s not just a newspaper problem.
A newspaper is a business. Newspapers deal with that. Staffs are cut, printing schedules are cut, sponsorships are cut.
Revenue problems are just one of the situations facing newspapers.
A free press is attacked at every turn — from elected officials’ and propagandist’s cries of “fake news,” to the newspaper’s own accountants and pencil pushers who favor profit over everything else.
Even news.
And if a newspaper isn’t providing news ...
A celebrity’s child can sell only so many newspapers. Even if it’s George Clooney’s.
Way back in the 1980s if you worked for a newspaper your expense account was endless (new camera lenses every year; raises were never out of the question; and traveling to spring training was “not a problem” for a weekly newspaper sports editor).
Owning a weekly newspaper was like having a license to print money.
Those were heady times.
And then the price of newsprint started going WAY up. Profit margins became smaller. Independent newspapers became part of a “news service” or “media group.”
Local news? Too expensive.
Local readers? Going to the internet.
Community?
What’s that?
Maybe if newspapers didn’t start giving away their content on the internet that wouldn’t be such an issue.
But at the time it was such an “in” thing to do. And so … Cool.
“Oooooh ... We have a web page.”
To me it was like posting a sign on your head that read “Too stupid to survive.”
We gave our content away and then asked the readers on the internet to subscribe.
Nobody is that good.
And there has been an alarming instance — from non-newspaper people — to run gimmicks — stuff that advertisers will buy, but not the readership.
It’s like we’re not a newspaper, we’re a revenue source.
And it’s hurting the credibility of newspapers as a “news” source.
• Of course the internet should not be blamed for the so-called downfall of newspapers.
The internet is the internet. People want to find a “news” site that fits their opinion.
Then it seems like “real” news and not an opinion.
Do you want a balanced look at news? Do you want truth?
If not, by all means, stick to “Nazi Times,” or whatever you fancy, on the internet.
Newspapers will be, and have always been, blamed (duh) for presenting one side of an argument.
If it’s not yours.
If I had a nickel for every time someone said (usually a politician) we didn’t run his/her side of the story, all I can say is … I’d be a very rich man.
Or, I’d have a lot of danged nickels.
If you think an article is one-sided, that’s usually the person getting bashed’s take on such an article.
Remember what I said about a newspaper being accountable for what it prints?
Newspapers — everywhere — are short staffed. Nobody has time for dramatics.
Answer. Respond. Let a newspaper know. Our mind reading licenses weren’t renewed last time around because our paperwork wasn’t correctly filled out. We’re not giving anybody the “high hat.”
Whatever.
Reach out. We will respond.
Here’s a clue: Return a phone call; answer an e-mail; do not assume that the paper is taking one side.
• Another thought on newspapers being accountable:
We ask people for the truth, we ask them to be accountable. Why shouldn’t a newspaper be the same?
Because we’re a private business?
Okay. Newspapers are just that, a private business. But we are also a member of the community we serve. An important part of that community.
It sows seeds of mistrust and doubt in a community when a newspaper lies to its readership about its well being.
Several years ago newspapers started printing on smaller pages — a smaller web, as we say — and the reason given was: “We’re being more green.”
You could almost hear forests in the great northwest sigh in relief, couldn’t you?
What newspapers should have done was be honest at the time.
Green? Nah.
Trying to save money? Definitely.
We shouldn’t cut staff and/or coverage and then put the blame on readers.
If only a small percentage of a certain age group reads your product, try harder.
We’ve cut staff at The Courier News and in a related move we have not been able to cover everything we want to cover.
Not because of what some poll says.
It’s just the reality of the times.
So know this: The Courier News has an owner who is committed to The Courier News. He’s not committed to me or anyone else on this staff.
He is committed to The Courier News.
Have you noticed the new paint job on the building? That’s an investment saying, “We’re here for the long haul.”
And yes, I think every person on this staff has been asked, “Is the paper for sale?”
The answer is simple: Yes it is.
Seventy-five-cents at a time.
• A state of a newspaper — all newspapers — is the state of its readership.
Are we putting out the information that is important to you?
At the end of the day — at the end of a press day — does the staff of a newspaper ask: “Are our readers getting their 75-cents worth?”
They damn well should.
Do you trust a “news” item on the internet (that could be taken down within the next 10 minutes) over that of what you read in The Courier News?
If it’s on the internet, on social media … Does that make it true?
Or just what fits your opinion?
And know this: We won’t use an “anonymous source.”
Heck, I could say (and I’ll pick on Tim Shelton just because he’s a really good guy), “Register of Deeds says people who don’t drive Jeeps should not be allowed to vote,” An anonymous source close to the situation says, and use one of my brothers as an anonymous source.
Do you want that kind of news?
I hope not. I think our readers expect better.
See, that’s the real state of newspaper — any newspaper.
Its readers and what they want and what they expect.
Because believe it or not, we’re partners in this.