Covering the convention
Over the past few days we have tried to direct our newspaper coverage of the Democratic National Convention forward, focusing as much as what is expected tonight as the speech that was on television last night. For instance, this is the story that we have on the front page today. It's less about the Bill and Joe show and more about the historical significance of the Obama nomination.
The DNC has also not been the lead story on the front page, unlike most of the larger newspapers in North Carolina. Today's front page:
Our aim is to treat the Republican National Convention in similar fashion.
What we believe is that presidential politics in August is a bit like NHL hockey here. A small number of people care intensely, and a large number don't care at all, knowing the big event is two months away.
But we are apparently swimming against the media tide, if reports are true that 15,000 journalists are covering the two conventions. I wonder how many of those 15,000 are from media outlets that laid off people in the past year. I'm thinking a lot. (Here's a report on what they're all doing there.)
Anyway, do you want more/different coverage?
Comments (2)
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I think you're doing a great job in playing down the traditional coverage of the conventions. They are national, not local, unless you're a news outlet in Denver or the Twin Cities.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel did send two folks (statehouse reporter and photo director) to Denver, but it wasn't to provide local coverage, though this was hoped for. Rather it was to help with the Rocky Mountain News coverage, as they are a fellow Scripps outlet.
Posted on August 28, 2008 9:24 AM
Greatest thrills in life.
Watching grass grow.
Watching paint dry.
Watching a convention.
of course you could have watched my Red Sox cream the Yankees last night.
Posted on August 28, 2008 10:33 AM