Solution to the newsman’s woes.
Several years ago, newspaper editor Jerry Ceppos led the San Jose Mercury-News in publishing the famous “Dark Alliance” series, alleging that the CIA boosted the crack cocaine trade in the US. In the media squall that followed, Ceppos admitted error. Upon reflection, he drew from the experience a list of reasons why news sources, especially newspapers, are losing readership and credibility among their remaining readership.
Ceppos listed:
- not listening to readers’ complaints;
- framing and writing stories before getting all sides;
- refusing to explain actions or decisions to the public;
- pretending issues are black and white.
(*) That excellent list can be summed up as the avoidance of arrogance. I wish that list did not apply to any media organization, but I’m afraid that today they are all guilty to one degree or another. No journalist seems to have the guts to be both daring and humble anymore.