America Needs New and Honest Newspaper Publishers
Nothing good seems to last forever -- at least not in this world. Many
wonderful ideas and small businesses of the past have grown into
over-sized
and over-priced monsters more apt to devour the innocent and helpless than
to help anyone at all. Sadly, the same is often true with the news media,
as well -- including newspapers. While many large news publishers bemoan
the loss of market share and revenue, instead of addressing the needs of
their readers, they look to enlarge themselves even further by more and
larger mergers and acquisitions. They lose touch with readers and
community
needs.
What America needs is more small-town and community newspapers. We need
editors and reporters and photojournalists serious about the issues facing
the readers they serve. Far too many newspaper publishers busy themselves
playing on fear, scandal, threats and tragedy, ignoring most of the actual
news in their areas of coverage. And far too many have their own
political
ambitions and agendas to promote. They've been bought off, they've sold
out, they no longer serve the people they want as readers. And then they
wonder they are failing.
America needs honest publishers, honest reporters, honest editors. We
need
small-town and big city papers that restore the voice of the people
without
distorting it or slanting it to favor the economic or political powers
that
be. We need good newspapers. Papers that publish good news and
accomplishments by unknown citizens as well as the unfortunate news
stories
that must occasionally be told.
News does not have to be bad. News does not need to be boring and
trivial.
Not everything is a controversy, astruggle, a failure.
Life is interesting and often fascinating. The story of any community,
and
the individual stories of the people, the families, the men, women and
young
people who make up that community are all worth telling. Good things are
accomplished in every town every week. Great things are accomplished
every
so often. yet too many of these good and interesting tales are never told
because all the space is given to telling the bad news. And all too often
the intent is to increase fear and dread -- to try and frighten people
into
buying another paper.
Such stupidity can only succeed so far. As with the boy who cried wolf
too
often, so newspapers that continually announce non-existent dangers and
threats also lose credibility with readers. We need fresh, honest, decent
newspapers that will simply publish the facts, tell the truth, and serve
the
reading public.
Are you interested in the job?
Free Online Articles For Aspiring Newspaper Publishers (no fees,
registration or membership required)
If you have ever dreamed of starting your own local newspaper, you will
appreciate the down-to-earth advice and insight offered by the following
online articles. Written by a man who started his own small-town paper in
Western Montana, these articles detail some of the challenges that face
anyone starting their own newspaper.
Are you a journalism major? Are you already working for someone else's
newspaper? Are you completely unfamiliar with the news publishing
process?
Are you a high school dropout? No matter who you are, or what your
previous
work experience, you -- and your newspaper -- may be just what your area
needs.
Does your area need a fresh source of local/regional news? Are the ads in
other area papers so outrageously expensive that local business can't
afford
to advertise? Are you willing to become involved in the future of your
community?
What if money is in short supply? How do I get ad sales? What kind of
software would I need? How much experience and/or education do I need?
Can
I run such a business from my own home? How do I get the paper printed?
How do I build ads? What about the design of the pages? Can I do
anything
to increase income? How should the news be reported? What about
contributing writers? Are comics and other features important? Should
my
paper have it's own website?
These and other important topics are discussed in commonsense fashion,
with
actual facts and experience to back them up. Before plunging into your
newspaper, local shopper or other specialty publication, get all the facts
that you can. Use the local library. Research the basics of business
startup and operation. And make good use of the free online articles
listed
below.
Start Without Money www.newspaper-info.com/nomoney.htm
Am I Really Qualified? www.newspaper-info.com/more/qualify.htm
Hiring Yourself www.newspaper-info.com/yes.htm
Basic Startup Steps www.newspaper-info.com/more/startup.htm
Newspaper History www.newspaper-info.com/more/history.htm
Need Another Paper? www.newspaper-info.com/more/need.htm
Newspaper Publishing www.newspaper-info.com/comunity.htm
Starting Up www.newspaper-info.com/more/news1.htm
Work at Home www.newspaper-info.com/more/athome.htm
What it Takes www.newspaper-info.com/more/news2.htm
Making Money www.newspaper-info.com/more/news3.htm
Selling Space www.newspaper-info.com/more/news4.htm
Example Rate Sheet www.newspaper-info.com/more/example.htm
Other Revenue www.newspaper-info.com/more/news5.htm
Building Ads www.newspaper-info.com/more/building.htm
Positioning Ads www.newspaper-info.com/more/place.htm
Paying Writers www.newspaper-info.com/more/payment.htm
Sample Ads www.newspaper-info.com/more/ads0.htm
Community Voice www.newspaper-info.com/more/voice.htm
Building the Pages www.newspaper-info.com/more/pages.htm
Local Reporter www.newspaper-info.com/more/reporter.htm
Thoughts on Style www.newspaper-info.com/more/style.htm
Designing Pages www.newspaper-info.com/more/design.htm
Using the Web www.newspaper-info.com/more/website.htm
Comics www.newspaper-info.com/comics/cartoon.htm
Jim's Light Box www.newspaper-info.com/more/lightbox.htm
Additional Resources www.newspaper-info.com/more/resource.htm
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