Mark Twain, legendary writer and poet, once stated “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated” in response to an obituary detailing his demise, which was published in error. Twain was very much alive.
For a decade now, commentators from television to online bloggers have indicated the Newspaper industry is on its way out. According to our industry News site, there are causes for concern and examples of its demise are plentiful – but all hope is not lost.
Recent opinion postings on the Globe and Mail website continue to detail a premature in memoriam. Many comments deal with the fact many corporate chains focus too much on return, rather than on doing a great job of covering the News.
Further, the notion exists that the chains are all in bed with other corporations and that much of the bad News we are experiencing now has been suppressed to prop up the corporate behemoths that have emerged in the last two decades.
If we believed all the conspiracy theories that are espoused on the internet, most of us would not leave our homes, and be cowering in fear.
Of those bloggers intent on seeing Newspapers destroyed, a common thread emerges when it comes to the internet and how it has unshackled the levers of power for the masses.
In its stead, a healthier brand of democracy is emerging, where citizen journalists will provide News that people need – for free. As with all theories, there are positive and negative points to that way of thinking.
Far too often, opinion has a way of seeping into News, which has historically been differentiated within mature News organizations from opinion.
The News amounts to the facts, while opinion is a writer’s assessment of those facts. Most bona fide News operations, employing trained craftsmen, are trying desperately to walk that line – subscribing to a set of standards that include fair play and determining relevance.
Despite those efforts, few reporters worth their salt would say every story is perfect, but certainly best efforts are made to give a balanced, relevant account of what takes place.
Our thinking on this issue this week was brought on by the demise of another big daily Newspaper in the United States. The Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colorado shut down its operation after 150 years of service to that city. Shrinking advertising revenue, stagnant circulation and tough competition made its continuance impossible.
The mechanics of closure are a deep blow to the staff and the city it serves. A voice has been lost, but as sure as happens when a family loses a member, time will march on and something new will emerge to fill the void.
But, like most Newspaper people and popular columnists have opined, the loss of a magnificent tradition and part of a city’s lifeblood, leaves a knot in the stomach. It’s a shared sympathy for what was, and what will not be again.
In Canada, media companies have announced further cuts. Television stations in Hamilton, Wingham, London and so on, risk sale or closure.
Publications in this county and from Guelph, Kitchener, and Hamilton, have announced permanent layoffs. The deepening recession, the continued ravaging of ad revenue by non-traditional sources, and increasing costs makes those cuts necessary business choices.
But we continue to see a bright future for community Newspapers. It was not that long ago that we commented on Conrad Black sweeping the country, picking up publications and how that corporate chess match would create opportunity for smaller publishers.
Part of that bright future includes continuing to listen to readers and advertisers and meeting their needs every week.
As always, we are interested in those we serve and encourage feedback on how we can be of better service to our readers.
