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Don't listen to naysayers; newspapers will have a bright future
Vibrant, creative newspapers are here to stay; our best days lie ahead
Date published: 11/11/2009 By Ed Jones I'M CHARGED UP But there's more to my enthusiasm than that. Recent visits to Washington, D.C., and Lexington, Va., have reminded me why I so strongly disagree with the media pessimists, why I feel confident that newspapers are here to stay. For starters, stroll down Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the wonderfully innovative Newseum in Washington. There you'll find a display of that day's front pages from all over the country--a robust reflection of the liveliness and professionalism of today's print media. On the day of my visit, I saw investigative stories from Utah and Michigan about the impact of federal stimulus programs on local communities. There were Halloween features from Maine and Arizona--sprightly written pieces that gave a sense of what life is like in those towns as the holiday season approaches. Eye-catching pictures of a beleaguered mayor and a heroic school nurse adorned two of the fronts. A few days later, I ventured across the Blue Ridge to Washington and Lee University to hear a lecture about the future of newspapers by former Detroit Free Press editor Caesar Andrews. Andrews, a friend of mine from national editor associations and a visiting professor this semester at W&L, didn't shy away from the fact that some newspapers have seen their circulations and revenues drop precipitously in recent years. In Detroit, for example, the two local papers have reduced the number of days for home delivery. Still, Andrews was upbeat on the future of journalism in all its delivery forms. There's something enduring about people's need to know critical information, he suggested--a need that can best be filled by creative, credible journalists. The blogs and Web sites that contribute to the overflow of information contain some journalistic jewels. But newspapers and their Web sites retain the gold standard for credibility in I know there's a bright future for the news media when I meet the passionate journalists-to-be at W&L, the University of Mary Washington and many other schools. We see it in our own interns at The Free Lance-Star, as they contribute to everything from election-night coverage to centerpiece medical features in our Healthy Living section. So here's my bottom line: Straight talk about the challenges facing newspapers, including ours, doesn't equate to doomsday scenarios. Yes, changes are coming. The means to deliver news will continue to evolve and grow. But the need has never been greater for information and stories edited by trained journalists who follow the highest ethical standards. The Free Lance-Star is fully engaged with the Web, through our e-edition and our Web site, fredericks burg.com. But our company's commitment to print is evident by the state-of-the-art printing facility we will open next year. That new plant will offer color capability on all pages, along with a faster press that will make possible later deadlines and earlier delivery times. Our best days are still ahead of us. Ed Jones: 540/374-5401
Date published: 11/11/2009
We have no "local" paper
(posted by
tpifos
, Nov. 13, 2009 8:27 am)
People have to beg to get local stories covered even
though it seems like there are dozens of reporters on staff.
Why? Articles have no depth of investigative nature. Most
of it is ads & AP stories. Hokey local columnists who write
about worms? Waste of paper. If there was a real paper in
town this one would have been out of business years ago.
Another perspective
(posted by
hobbs
, Nov. 12, 2009 3:27 pm)
The Free-Lance Star is a monopoly newspaper supported by a strong retail base. that relies heavily on federal spending. This is hardly a typiccal situation. For another perspective on the future of print journalism, pay an occasional visit to newspaperdeathwatch.com.
I read this article online
(posted by
Einstein
, Nov. 11, 2009 5:12 pm)
'nuff said.
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