(Op-ed submitted by Peter J. children)
Nothing drives a decline in subscriptions like a economic downturn, especially when the subscription rates are $200.00 a year. I am talking about the local paper here, the Globe Gazette. They employ a lot of people, they used to employ a lot more but declining advertising revenues resulted in staff reductions, one sided blatant predjucies creating disgust took some as well. The Globe makes no excuses for its views on local issues, for the most part they lean towards white Protestants. Now before you get yourself worked up, there is nothing wrong being white or Protestant, I am merely stating a fact. Some of my friends fit that description….but far from all.
History tells us the local paper started out as the Cerro Gordo Press in 1862, that’s 149 years ago, and during that span it was once a real paper without bias. I should interject at this point that bias is a human trait; perhaps not inherent at birth but through osmosis firmly in place by the age of eight. Today’s paid subscriptions are listed at 14,299, this is down considerably from 2006 figures which showed paid daily subscriptions of 18,831 figures that indicate a steady drop over the years. The Sunday edition went from 23,327 in 2006 to 18,806 currently. At the moment there is a sale going on, you can receive Friday, Saturday & Sunday for 26 weeks for the low price of $30.00. Considering a full year is $200.00 this appears to be a good value.
Newspapers are also generational, my generation likes to feel of newsprint, younger people who grew up with electronic media are accustomed to reading off a screen. Their method is faster, cheaper and more concise. The computer has made actual newsprint arcade; now cell phones also provide the news along with top notch camera’s built in.
Then there is this site, this new kid on the block, the alternate news source for North Iowa. Born not that long ago by a man determined to offer another news site where people can go to get a more fair and balanced look at local issues as well as state and national news, this site has been like an oasis for those eager to look inside the story….then offer instant comment. Whereas the Globe allows one 300 word letter every three weeks that must meet their guidelines, this in itself discourages public input on topical issues. In earlier times there was no alternate manner in which to respond, this hindered spontaneous reaction to local issues….not a good thing.
Back before this state went wet, the animal clubs flourished. The Elks, Moose, Eagles were packed with members. If you belonged you could be served hard liquor. During those years I was in the bar business and could only offer beer. Once the state went wet, those animal clubs fell quickly by the wayside because in truth they could not compete with the public sector. Where is the Elk’s Club now? The Eagles? The Moose is mortally wounded and will not recover. Will this be the fate of our local Globe Gazette? Will it become a weekly paper….printed in Waterloo then delivered here? Don’t bet against it.
The Globe has a website, it too carries restrictions and strict control features but it does not match the freedom this site offers. Once you’ve been King its very difficult to assume a lesser role in society. While the subscriptions decline with the Globe, the number of daily visits to this site increases steadily. It is a two prong effect, the elderly population begins to die off and the younger generation matures and seeks news in the format they have grown up with which is electronic and the ability to say what they want when they want to. It is here they have found a home.
Peter J. Children
