Over the years I’ve had numerous titles in this business. Generally, they’ve had something to do with being a reporter or an editor.
Now that I’ve turned the corner on 60, I look at my role differently. With 40 years or so experience, I’ve come to look at the job differently – much differently.
Today I think of myself more as a consumer of news. I’m looking for stories that draw a positive reaction – interesting, well written, compelling, challenging, quirky, novel.
In this position I see myself as the advocate for the reader. Give me the good stuff. That’s what the public wants.
If the consumer is going to give a little of his time, he wants – and expects – a return on his investment. Time is precious and valuable. Readers deserve our respect.
All of this leads to CNHI News Service and the stories that are submitted and those that are posted. Reading dozens of stories a day has led me to think about the health of the newspaper/communications industry.
Some stories I read are very good. Whatever the assignment, simple or complex, the reporter has turned it into a valuable, interesting piece. But that’s not always the case. My partner, J.B. Bittner, and I read a lot of stories that are dull, drab and pointless. Reader be damned, must be the reporter’s attitude.
I’ve been tempted to call a reporter and pose a question: Does he/she think his story is worthy of someone paying to read it? Does it have true value? Would the reporter be willing to spend 50 cents for his product? How about his friends? Is it worth the investment?
I can tell you, I read a lot of boring stories.
I also read plenty of good ones.
But I don’t understand someone submitting a story that almost screams to the reader that “I don’t care” to make this interesting. “I’m bored, so you’re going to suffer.”
To survive a paper must be compelling, necessary. Those few reporters who choose to bore their readers instead of truly informing them aren’t making the task any easier.
It’s all about survival.