The Inlander/ March 1, 2008

Editors take great pride when they know their newspapers are “making a difference.” A strong barometer is the editorial page, and specifically letters to the editor. So why do so many editors stifle the exchange of ideas during the months-long election season?

The volume of letters indeed increases dramatically with orchestrated campaigns. At the same time, letters reflect a basic mission of newspapers: To get people to think and share their ideas.

The Inlander/ Feb. 1, 2008 

The suspension of high school athletes is newsworthy, especially when it affects a game's outcome.

Newspapers also can make a case that by identifying the disciplined youths, they are looking out for their best welfare – though that may not be immediately recognized by students, parents or coaches.

Consider these recent examples:

The Inlander/ Nov. 17, 2007

The race among states to be first in selecting presidential candidates guarantees that holiday gatherings are likely to be interrupted by political telemarketers. The accelerated election season also means that newspapers must be prepared for all candidate announcements.

Quill/October/November 2007

Covering elections is hard work. Considering the hyper-partisanship of readers, the dozens of interest groups knocking on your door and the demands of new technologies, it’s amazing when a community newspaper can produce any meaningful coverage.

This article should help you get a handle on some of the challenges in election coverage. It was distilled from information in my new book, “Votes and Quotes: A Guide to Outstanding Election Coverage.”

The Inlander/September 2007

Quiz any group of editors and you’ll find little disagreement. Local news is the franchise of community newspapers. School board actions are more important than congressional deliberations. Prep sports deserve top billing over professional teams. A local fund-raiser merits more prominence than even a dramatic story from across the state.

Yet, many newsrooms fall short in one of their most important responsibilities – advancing debate on significant issues through local editorials.

Publishers Auxiliary/September 2007
A discussion of business news inevitably prompts editors to focus on routine Main Street occurrences. A clothing store celebrates its grand opening. A restaurant opens, offering a distinctive cuisine. A flower shop celebrates its 25th anniversary.

These stories, though worthy of recognition, underscore an underlying point. Business news is much broader than those items which typically qualify for chamber of commerce newsletters. Coverage should be incorporated in the everyday news menu.

Minnesota Newspaper Association Bulletin/September 2007

A newspaper has a responsibility, say, to identify all stores fined for selling cigarettes to underage youths, especially if the fines are assessed at a city council meeting. Nevertheless, the story will likely draw wrath from the businesses and from their employees.

In contrast, a newspaper can be selective in topics it addresses on its editorial page. The positions are not welcomed by all, such as the decision to endorse or oppose a housing development or a school closure.

Distributed as a guest editorial by the Minnesota Newspaper Association in observance of Sunshine Week, March 11-17, 2007

Convene a discussion about press rights, and most people likely conjure up scenarios of editors and reporters at loggerheads with government officials over access to top-secret data. No doubt, that can be the case. On the national stage, we witness the Washington press corps pursuing information surrounding U.S. military initiatives in Iraq.

The Inlander/Jan. 8, 2007

Quiz a roomful of editors and reporters on their most memorable editorials. The noteworthy ones invariably deliver messages targeted toward specific decision-makers who are in position to debate and craft public policy.

The American Editor - American Society of Newspaper Editors/March 2007

Mention election coverage in the aftermath of the midterm contests, and most newsrooms will likely turn a collective deaf ear. Yet this is the perfect time ñ before the files are formally closed - for editors and reporters to evaluate how they performed in 2006 and to identify steps for improved coverage in 2008.

As a start, convene a brainstorming session to review and reflect on some of the basic aspects of election coverage. For example: