Newspapers still have some utility
Art Director Bob Williams sends along this observation from Christy Mumford Jerding, editorial director of the Freedom Forum, who writes about newspaper front pages at Newseum.
After giving appropriate play to these big national stories, The Post-Star in Glens Falls, N.Y. dove into a nasty bit of local politics. Several residents got a lesson in Godfather-style communication when they awoke to find dead fish on their properties. Someone "who apparently took satisfaction in Tuesday's sound defeat of the city charter amendment" pulled the stunt to send a signal to the charter's supporters. The fish, one of which was pictured on The Post-Star's front page, were wrapped in newspaper and rubber bands. The Post-Star did not note which newspaper served as the wrapping.
The front page is here.
Your smile for the day.
Comments (5)
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Let me ask you one thing JR.
And, before I do, let me honestly say that I'm asking it in a real, earnest way. No hidden agenda and I'm not trying to make you look stupid or anything.
I'll point out why I'm asking it after I ask it.
Did anywhere in your entire poltical news coverage (and there was quite a bit of it) you point out the historical loses of congress during the mid-term election of the second term of a president?
I ask the question because if you really think you are relevant and offer "utility" you would provide some context -- not just the same jibber-jabber that spews from the CNN/MSNBCs of the world.
I mean, a newspaper is supposed to be there to help us make sense of it all.
So, did you?
If so, I'll applaud you. Really. No lie.
Posted on November 9, 2006 9:03 PM
We alluded to it in many stories, but I don't recall an article devoted to that specifically, but one could have run.
Posted on November 10, 2006 8:55 AM
That's good to hear, I think.
Just so I understand what you did: you reported -- at least somewhere -- the context in which the Democratic wins happened.
That is to say that you at least alluded to the fact it's not unusual for the party that is not the presidential party in power to pick up at least 20 seats in the House in a mid-term election in the second term of the presidency.
That this routinely happens and has for decades upon decades upon decades.
Right? You laid it out like that somewhere?
Posted on November 12, 2006 7:21 PM
Yes. And it was stated time and again on television, in case people missed it in their papers.
Posted on November 14, 2006 8:12 AM
wow. I'm actually impressed!
Thanks JR!
Posted on November 14, 2006 3:03 PM