BLOGS

The Wenatchee World is my regional source for printed news. They have announced the discontinuation of their free internet option based on a concern over fairness for those with paid subscriptions. This move may not improve their bottom line but may bolster their standing with their faithful base. The Wenatchee World joins other print media in dealing with decreased advertising revenue and high operational costs. The rapidly expanding distribution of information over the internet creates a serious challenge to the capital intensive mechanical printing press. Local collection and distribution of news is a challenge and must satisfy locals to maintain the needed subscribers.

Without consistent strong convictions, a newspaper or a radio station can end up offering a lot of information but not meaningful community news. Without being the conscience and cheer leader for the community, a newspaper or radio station loses its community value. Cost considerations and a challenging revenue stream can pressure owner-managers to reduce their willingness to pursue community issues, creating a more reserved approach to any investigative reporting. Digging out and exposing local social and political issues is risky and expensive.

Years ago, the Wenatchee World led the way in promoting the construction of the Grand Coulee Dam. At one point they effectively pursued problems within the Chelan PUD, exposing questionable activities concerning diesel generators, bonuses and mismanagement. They helped the community see behind the closed doors of the PUD management team and exposed the failings of the elected board. The Wenatchee World recently failed to pursue serious questions within the fiber communication project, problems brought to their attention several years earlier. Strong intentions and a community spirit are meaningless if the paper has an overriding fear of losing subscribers, or shows weakness by buckling to pressures of local businesses. At one time, strong advertising and classified revenue gave the Wenatchee World the courage to take aggressive stands on issues.

It might be time to involve freelance community reporters, since the eyes of the public can generally see more than paid reporters fearful of editorial approval. It might be time for the Wenatchee World to adopt a free internet news service supported through electronic advertising and do away with the printed version. It is difficult to admit that the internet is now the dominant distribution source for news, leaving the printed page in a secondary position. The internet has almost totally replaced the printed classified advertising and is beginning to attract the majority of product and service advertising.

I will likely pay the $9.99 each month to have access to the electronic version of the Wenatchee World. However, if $119.88 per year is needed to cover higher priority expenditures in my budget, I’ll make more trips to the public library, where my taxes help support their services – including the ability to read free copies of the paper.

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Chuck     1 year, 1 month ago

The Future of Printed Communications

If you don't like a particular editorial, we can now easily research opposing points of view online, then blog or tweet about it to like-minded virtual communities.

While this may or may not be a step forward, the scope of a small-town paper is admittedly limited and when so much more information is there simply for the asking, it only makes sense that consumers would lean in the virtual direction.

Landlines and record stores are also losing relevance due to the world wide web, and perhaps local radio stations are going the same way with the advent of lower-cost satellite radio, now a standard option on many new vehicles.

At the end of the day, it's simply about choice.

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