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One Opinion: Newspapers: We are our own worst enemy
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Disclaimer:
Elaine Kolodziej is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com. |
November 29, 2011 | 926 views | 6 comments
If people are not going to attend the board meetings -- and most will not -- the only other way for them to keep informed about local issues is to read about it in their community newspaper. The need for community journalism is not going away anytime soon.
Our system of government works best when people pay attention to city hall, to their school, to the hospital board, the appraisal district, and to commissioner’s court. When people pay no attention, they will find their taxes going through the roof, and corruption eke its way into the system.
Oops! Sounds like Washington, doesn’t it? But the same will happen on a local level if taxpayers are not careful.
It’s alarming to hear people say they no longer read a newspaper -- any newspaper -- because that means they are not informed. People can’t get reliable news from ABC, NBC, and CBS, and they certainly cannot get local news from these sources. As a consequence, they either vote without being informed -- or they do not vote. You can be on Facebook and Twitter, and receive Google alerts, but that does not make you part of the real community. Not only that, but you risk the chance of getting lost in the virtual world and thinking you are connected, yet all the while remaining clueless about local issues.
In our industry, we are battling more than just the economy. Competition comes from television, radio, billboards, and now social media as well. We are simultaneously dealing with everything wireless, mobile, and Smart! Trying to be all things to all people leaves us a bit breathless at times, but we need to take a deep breath and understand whom we are.
A generation or so ago, newspaper publishers were making money with little effort. Today, I know that we are not alone when we say that we are working three times as hard JUST TO STAY EVEN. Whereas, we used to graciously answer the phone when advertisers called wanting to buy an ad, we now are planning special projects, tab sections, contests, and other promotions involving our readers and advertisers. Our business is helping their business, and we take our business seriously.
Newspapers are the glue that keeps a community together.
We may just be our own worst enemies for not recognizing that and proclaiming it in big, bold headlines. |
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| Your Opinions and Comments |
Elaine K.
Floresville
January 5, 2012 9:54am
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Winston Shaffer
Floresville, TX
January 5, 2012 9:41am
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Elaine K.
Floresville
January 4, 2012 3:00pm
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Fred Ohnesorge
Floresville, TX
January 4, 2012 2:48pm
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XO
Floresville
January 4, 2012 2:33pm
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Elaine K.
Floresville
November 29, 2011 4:47pm
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