As National Newspaper Week continues (where have you BEEN?!?), I took the opportunity to write about some of the reasons I’ve enjoyed my 17 years here at our small-town newspaper as a columnist and journalist — and now as its editor.
Over the last several years I’ve heard many people comment how the newspaper industry is a dying institution thanks to the digital age and access to instant information. While it has certainly impacted the larger news formats, I have to disagree with their prognosis when it comes to the continued relevance of small-town papers. I believe they provide our communities with perspectives, information and a voice like no other resource. More than news pushes and canned feeds from automated sources, small-town newspapers offer the most true reflection of their readership and the commuities they serve.
Here’s why…Â
Along with this opinion piece, I included a cartoon that I feel illustrates (see what I did there?) this point beautifully, thanks to the words of Arthur Miller…
I know most of you don’t have a subscription to Siuslaw News (I’m not sure why), so I’ll by posting my weekly editorials here each Wednesday so that, in addition to the humor I love sharing with all of you, I can also share this new addition to my daily life that is just as important to me.
And almost as important as the bacon in my life…
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Ned Hickson is a nationally syndicated humor columnist with News Media Corporation and the editor of Siuslaw News. He is also the author of Humor at the Speed of Life, a collection of more than a decade of humor columns; and Pearls of Writing Wisdom: From 16 shucking years as a columnist, a writer’s survival guide. Both are available from Port Hole Publishing.
Ned's Blog 
I’m watching Ned…Great job on the editors position….Kudos!!!
Two thumbs up…
xx
Sooz
Awww, thanks Sooz! Great to see you around these parts 😉
Nice, congrats!
Thanks, grannyK 😉
This may be the age of access to instant information, but I don’t think anyone actually uses it. I think people were better inform back in the day when they had to read the paper, or actually go to the library to do research. Now there is so much misinformation out on the web that people buy into without even taking a second to double check. The lies that get passed around on my facebook alone are ridiculous. And the worst is that people don’t care, I’ve had so many get mad at me for correcting them, they straight up ask why does it matter? Um it matters because lies are bad. Maybe we should go back to the old pen and ink world, it feels more real.
There is definitely something to that, RG. We move so fast now — and online journalism isn’t much different — that know one takes time to sift for the truth before posting it as such.
The newspaper business model is dying because people are posting stuff online for free. In other words, it’s all your fault.
(I bear share of the blame, but not as much because I don’t post as often as you do. 🙂
Actually, that’s as close as anyone has ever come to thinking I was a model… So thanks, X.
great words
Thanks, Beth 😉
Congrats Ned. Glad to see there is so much of Ned Hickson in your article, you didn’t even forget to mention bacon, lol! I agree, there’s nothing like reading a newspaper. It’s not the same experience to me in digital. May newspapers reign forever!
Looking forward to having you over to my place on Friday! BRING MORE BACON! 🙂 🙂
How could I forget bacon?!?
And I’m definitely excited about being your guest on Friday, Debby 🙂
Bacon gingersnap cookies?!!! Wow! Sounds amazingly delicious. I can taste the salty goodness of the bacon enhancing the sugar, complimented by the spice and heat of ginger (and probably a dash of allspice and molasses). What? There was something about a newspaper in this post? You had me at bacon gingersnap.
All kidding aside, I definitely believe there is a special place for local newspapers, which is why we subscribe to ours. And I’m not just talking about using it to line our guinea pigs’ cages.
Hey, even Guinea pigs have to read something… But glad to hear that’s not the main reason you subscribe, Susan! And yes, there a local (older) woman who brings me bacon-gingersnap cookies around the holidays. Absolutely delicious — and for all the reasons you described!
Wait. You mean. It’s a REAL thing? Wow! One more good reason to visit Oregon… 😀
You mean I’m not reason enough?!?
(Don’t answer that…)
Good article! You made a strong defense of the relevance of local newspapers. Um… I did find the print rather small, though. I couldn’t seem to make it any bigger and I’m not sure what I was doing wrong. (I was using my computer and so perhaps it appears different on a smartphone or iPad.) Anyway, it was a good piece. You seem to have taken very well to your new role at the paper. 😀
Thanks, Bun. I think you should be able to just hold down on the image and it should pop up larger…? I does on my iPad, or I can stretch the screen. Maybe I should just post the text on my blog page to make it easier toi read?
Thanks for the feedback and kind words, and yeah — I’m enjoying my new role quite a bit 😉
It was very likely just me being stupid, Ned. I understand the on button and the mouse. After that, I struggle. 🙂
Trust me, I get it!
Awesomesauce!! I look forward to reading more by Ned Hickson! 😉
Lol! Thanks, Courtney 😉
Congrats on becoming the editor! That being said, are you one of those bastards who keeps putting part of the crossword puzzle above the fold and part of it below the fold?
Hahahahaha! No, I’m the one who colors in a random square just to mess with people…
And thanks, my friend 😉
How are your letters to the editor these days? I used to cherish them. To think that someone would take the time to write about something they read and mail it in. Amazing. These days, neither of our local English papers have much in the way of letters. I think letters serve as barometers of a paper’s (and by extension community’s) health.
I agree on your summation that a newspaper’s health is reflected in its letters. In which case our paper is very, very healthy! I always have more letters than I can fit in. It’s interesting that you mention it, though, considering today’s newspaper editorial is about those letters — and why some won’t make it in 😉