I arrived at the Star on a blistering June day in 1980. Now, more than 20 years later, I’ve finally found the hottest seat in town.
As your new reader advocate, listening to readers is the most important job I do each day. I expect I’ll get an earful on some days.
It’s not all that different from what I have been doing.
As features editor for more than a decade, not a day went by that a reader didn’t call me with a suggestion, a concern or a thank you.
I’ve talked to you about comics, TV listings and crosswords. I’ve spent hundreds of hours reading comments on comics’ ballots and responding to e-mail questions.
I dreamed up the democratic comic process in which every two years readers can vote in or vote out every comic we run. Not everybody likes it, but it’s what we do, or at least until the new features editor, Maria Parham, changes it. Yes, we’ve swapped jobs.
Earlier this year, features created a restaurant review policy to ensure fairness for both diners and restaurant owners.
And just last month I worked with Frank Cermak to find that third of an inch needed to add Sci-Fi channel programming to TV Week.
All of these changes grew from readers’ suggestions about how the Star could be a better newspaper and do a better job of serving our communities.
Starting Tuesday, my job is to listen to you all of the time, about all aspects of what we do. I’m excited and looking forward to your calls and letters.
I don’t replace the circulation department. Delivery questions still go to 573-4511. Of course, you’re always welcome to call individual reporters or editors.
I’m generally available weekday mornings, starting at 8 to take your calls.
Call me when you think the Star has done something right and when you think we’ve done something wrong.
Let me know what you think we can do better. I’ll share your ideas with staff members.
In the coming months, I plan to explore how the Star covers conflict in the Mideast and I will be asking for input from readers.
I’m eager to hear what other issues you would like me to explore in the newsroom or here on Sundays.
Each month, a handful of readers will be invited into the newsroom to take part in our daily meeting as we evaluate the stories of the day and create the front page. The first will be Sept. 26. Let me know if you’d like to join us.
I’d like to join you, as well.
I’m available to speak to your organization or to find a colleague who knows best the part of our news organization that most interests your group.
In early October, we’ll hold a workshop for small nonprofit groups on how to get their information in the paper. I have a brochure that I can send you if you have an event coming up before that.
As a journalist, I’ve asked thousands of questions. As a manager, I’ve answered a thousand questions and worked through just as many problems.
As the reader advocate, I’m here for you. I’m here to listen, to make sure that your voice is heard in the newsroom and to find answers to your questions. You have my word. And my phone number and e-mail address.
Let’s talk. Call, fax, e-mail or write:
