The local “newspaper” lost me a long time ago. When I moved here in 1990 I was accustomed to competent city governments, generally friendly people, and newspapers worth reading. I found the opposite of all three. The newspaper devoted tremendous energy to insulting the people, telling us that we were shit.
This year the Cowles family handed off the newspaper to a nonprofit. Their writing is noticeably less partisan and more civil. For the first time they’re reaching out to non-readers through email, inviting us to examine the product. Now they’re SELLING instead of screeching about “democracy”.
So far I haven’t seen enough value to be worth subscribing. I get information from the SpokaneNews facebook page. It tells me where the crimes and overdoses are happening. The weather bureau and Watch Duty cover other types of information.
Well then, what would be worth paying for? How could a journalism business deserve my money?
First, as I’ve repeated often, old newspapers had features. Interesting facts and insights, not connected to today’s events.
Second, a local newspaper could be an interactive GPS for local government and business. They could guide us through dealing with courts and cops, finding childcare, finding good food, etc. These tasks are difficult at best, and the internal information sources are useless. Official webpages are lawyered up, giving only a few theoretical rules that turn out to be irrelevant in reality.
Specialist magazines used to offer a similar service to paid subscribers. An electronics magazine would answer specific questions about circuit design or FCC licensing. A local paper would do the same for local culture and government.
In other words, follow all four parts of Carver’s rule for science and life.
LOOK ABOUT YOU.
TAKE HOLD OF THE THINGS [and people] THAT ARE HERE.
LET THEM TALK TO YOU.
TALK TO THEM.
Polistra's Mill 