There's value in having a reporter in the room
Bill, I agree with much of what you say. Democracy suffers when no one is left to tell us what is going on. Blogs are a poor substitute, but not because they are opinionated. Blogs suffer from the liability that they are primarily reactionary. Bloggers tend to react as opposed to ferreting out a good or not so good story. You get great diversity of opinions, but little regard for facts. In fairness, it takes time and/or luck to develop a story that is even good enough for a blog. Most bloggers simply have no time to do anything other than ruminate. Moreover, we lack the skills I've seen in reporters. But you let yourself off the hook far too easily. It is not all demographics and changing times, etc., etc. If papers were to become more opinionated, it would only be a matter of time before there were several in one town, as used to be the case when papers did have a point of view. It is ridiculously impossible to feign objectivity. Any paper, including yours, already has a built-in incumbent bias. You rely on them for access. You also have a built-in establishment bias. You rely on the money bags for advertising revenue. It is very evident in what is covered and how it is covered. I know all about the firewalls. You're kidding yourself. When you set yourselves up as the sole arbiters of objectivity and what is and is not newsworthy, you begin to appear very condescending to the rest of us. Words like "stodgy" and "unresponsive " come quickly to mind. Whether you like to acknowledge it or not, that has played a role in the demise of the MSM. It has led to reader disenchantment. That's something you should not dismiss as quickly as you seem to have done. As you point out, news in this country has not always been "objective. " I'd suggest a more honest, in-your-face approach might save the industry. I understand your FOX news argument, but a paper can have a point of view and still be fair. I think that was the point Hunter Thompson was trying to make before he blew his brains out. (Monday Aug 18 | post #1)
Cemetery critics are plentiful, help is not
Thank you, Mr. Villa. (Friday Aug 15 | post #20)
O'HARE: An early nominee for Allentown mayor
Was it something I said? (Tuesday Aug 12 | post #9)
O'HARE: An early nominee for Allentown mayor
Gimmie, I agree. It's simply outrageous the MC would allow me to discuss the people considering a challenge to King Ed's throne. The King is displeased. (Tuesday Aug 12 | post #3)
Cleared: Coach-teacher was accused of beating boy after footbal...
I'd be curious to know how many of the indignant commenters sat in for just five minutes of this trial. A jury of Melosky's peers listened to the evidence and concluded he was not guilty. That's our system. Not lynch mobs. (Aug 8, 2008 | post #34)
No heretical suggestion of any other belief is allowed.
Now let me get this straight. Because Northampton County maintains a plaque of the Ten Commandments in Courtroom One that nobody really notices, it is an intolerant theocracy that stomps all over Buddha statues. The Supreme Court has ruled that Ten Commandment displays are constitutionally permissible if they’re portrayed neutrally in order to honor the nation’s legal history. That's precisely the reason that plaque was donated to the county. If Mr. Carpenter or anyone else is sufficiently offended by this plaque, he has a constitutional right to challenge its continued existence. If that challenge succeeds, the plaque comes down. Suggesting that PJ McFadden is some kind of ogre, simply bc she received some award from a religious group over 10 tears ago, is just plain goofy. (Jul 17, 2008 | post #4)
Rekindle that righteous indignation
Bill, When you criticize the apathy of your readers, I think you need to take a closer look at your own example. The titles of your last few blogs? "Monster Snowstorm Threatens Naked People Stuck on Toilets," "Movie Quotes," "Cape May," "Arf Arf" and "Best Serial Killer Movies." I don't think the MSM should point fingers, except at themselves. (Jun 17, 2008 | post #2)
Mourner mayhem earns high ranking
Gemma Turtzo was well known and respected in the slate belt. That's evidenced by the large turn out at her funeral. But can you tag Bill White for writing about the disrespect that Severson showed? I think his article actually draws attention to that kind of behavior. As a person who was present for the preliminary hearing and who heard and saw the witnesses, let me make these observations: 1) Severson walked into church after the funeral mass was already underway, and Angle was seated in the rear of the church, next to Mary Ensslin. 2) Severson sat several rows in front of Angle and Ensslin. He would never have even seen Angle except for the fact that Severson's cell phone went off and he got up to take the call. In the course of turning this way and that, he saw Angle. 3) Angle had never known Severson prior to this date. In all the years that these two have taken shots, he had never seen Severson. In fact, the first time I ever saw Severson was at the preliminary hearing. 4) Angle did wave and mouth hello at Severson after the first time that Severson flipped him a bird and threatened him, but had no idea that person was the famous King of Sleazeball Politics. Both Ensslin and Angle testified to that. 5) Although Ron is an instigator, it was physically impossible for him to instigate Severson, who was seated several rows in front of Ron. 6) Severson did not merely approach Mary, as Bill White writes. Instead, he lunged at her and she was terrified. She thought Severson was armed and would do something to her. She ran towards Lenny Zito for protection. Ensslin was scared enough to stay away from the burial the following day. (Jun 14, 2008 | post #3)
One reason I like to bring my grandson to watch minor league ball is bc the players are supposed to be more down-to-earth. On Sunday, Rouse threw his bat when he struck out and now we have this baloney. These dudes should be playing ball. They can be prima donnas later. (Jun 10, 2008 | post #4)
Sportsmanship, discipline part of the package for inner-city ki...
They are out of their minds. (May 12, 2008 | post #2)
In short, he is a one-man wrecking crew.
I would nominate The Morning Call for its disgustingly vile Readers' Forum, in which hate speech is allowed to linger for too long by a news organization that emphasizes profits over responsibility. (May 6, 2008 | post #1)
Americus Center's wires still hum
This story was first reported by Michael Molovinsky over two weeks ago, but without the details provided here. (May 6, 2008 | post #4)
Deputies may be facing discipline
And this has exactly what to do with whether deputy sheriffs should be disciplined? Incidentally, it's not a very good book. (Apr 29, 2008 | post #234)
Like what you see?
Create your own Topix Profile
