When you work with words every day, they tend to be important — much like a mechanic’s tools or a farmer’s machinery. Every industry has its jargon, and the publishing industry is no different. Those outside of our industry may write off these distinctions as simple semantics or splitting hairs, but they are meaningful — and distinct.
I have written in the past about the importance of keeping news and advertising separate, both in our physical office and in our staff duties. Meanwhile, many of our readers still ask to pay to “get an article in the paper.” Our response is that the news isn’t for sale, but we can certainly help them with advertising. Their reply? “You know what I mean.”
Back in the days when we published paid subscription newspapers, we would get a chuckle when subscribers would call in to pay for their “prescription.” We don’t offer hydrocodone, lisinopril or amoxicillin, but we can make sure our publications are delivered.
Another important distinction that is often overlooked, especially in today’s growing world of slanted news coverage, is the difference between reporters and columnists. In the heyday of newspapers, the opinion page was reserved for opinions written by columnists. The news pages were reserved for news stories written by reporters. Those lines — and duties — rarely crossed. Although some would argue that news was slanted even decades ago, it is not comparable to what we see today, especially in electronic media. Most folks without even the slightest interest in politics know which way Fox News or MSNBC lean. The social media giants’ impact on news — and elections — is also now becoming abundantly clear.
Meanwhile, some bloggers who post scathing commentaries online try to pass themselves off as reporters. That’s unfortunate for the news media, for the viewers and for the general public, as it creates an even deeper distrust of media.
In this column in the Times Vedette, I try, more often than not, to entertain rather than irritate. It’s not that I don’t have opinions; I just don’t think that my opinions make me right and those who disagree with me wrong. I do enjoy a good debate, as it would be a sad world if we all agreed with each other on everything, but I am fully convinced that our world would be better if we focused more on how we are all alike instead of constantly dwelling on how we are different. That goes for news coverage, too.
Of course, if you don’t agree, you can cancel your prescription.
Have a fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707