I love newspapers and newspeople.
That may not be readily apparent, since this column is the designated source of criticism in the Times-Union. Yes, I love newspapers so much that I want them to uphold the highest standards.
That’s one reason that I place newspapers on a pedestal. Few other news media sources broadcast their corrections, let alone give critics regular space.
So I would like to touch on some of the positives of newspapers. We hear the negatives all too often. Newspapers report negatives to a fault, even when it relates to them.
The last mass medium
It has been well reported that newspapers are struggling to maintain their circulation bases. Yet, the Times-Union remains a powerful force in this community, with about 574,000 readers on Sunday and 400,000 readers daily.
Meanwhile, TV and radio continue to break into smaller and smaller parts, leaving the newspaper as one place that people can go to share a common experience. Newspapers have been a major resource for historians because you could obtain a realistic feel for life of the times by reading their pages.
As businesses, local newspapers remain leaders in their communities. Newspaper industry analyst John Morton has been specializing in this industry since 1971. I interviewed him by phone from his Maryland office.
“Newspapers are hugely profitable and influential, especially on the local level,” he said.
In many markets, newspapers produce more advertising revenue than TV, radio and cable combined.
“Average profit margin for publicly traded companies last year was about 20 percent, and it wasn’t a bang-up year for advertising,” Morton said.
Newspaper service now includes various specialty publications, appearances on TV and radio and the Internet. This newspaper’s Web site has won several national awards and gives Jacksonville readers an instant source of news coverage.
Adhering to standards
There is a meaningful distinction to be made between a newspaper that publishes corrections, gives critics a chance to respond and follows an ethics code and news media organizations that don’t.
The Times-Union strives to maintain high standards. When it fails, as any human organization does, it strives to set the record straight.
Finally, one request. When you hear someone criticize the Times-Union, remember that you may be hearing one side of the story. Critics have their biases, as well. And when you hear someone question the motivation of a reporter or editor, be doubly skeptical.
Following up on Iraq coverage
Last week, I wrote that the newspaper needs more positive stories about the reconstruction of Iraq to provide a well-rounded view. In that day’s newspaper, Metro columnist Mark Woods offered interesting comments from a Jacksonville reservist serving in Iraq. And in Monday’s newspaper, there was an impressive front-page spread on Purple Hearts being awarded to a unit of Seabees, complete with a stunning photo of them standing in front of a U.S. flag.
Tara Friend wrote: “If the story had run without photos and been tucked inside the Metro section, most people wouldn’t have noticed it. But the layout that your editors gave it made it a standout piece. That sort of coverage means a lot to military folks in the area.”
John Edwards’ background switched
A front-page story on the selection of Edwards as the Democratic Party nominee for vice president said that he earned millions “defending people in personal injury cases.” As several readers noted, he was representing individual plaintiffs against corporate defendants
