Sticks and stones

Why am I sick of journalism? Why do I often wake up feeling hopeless about the future of newspapers and the media in general? This e-mail sent to my editor regarding a recently published special section sums it up perfectly:

Dear Mr. Kelly --

In our 35 years as subscribers of The Valley Times, this is a first comment to your Community Newspaper organization regarding your publication. Our family first subscribed to The Valley Times years ago to keep up on "real" local news and that associated with the schools. I know, I know -- things have changed. . . .

My husband and I returned from spring vacation yesterday and, as we generally do, -- we attempted to read the newspapers and mailings we'd received during our absence. My husband said, "Let me know what you think about the insert in the Valley Times." He was referring, of course, to the "Best Ever" collection. I looked it over (thinking that he'd perhaps found it interesting) then thought, "Without question, this piece is the biggest waste of paper and resources we've ever received in the Valley Times." It even had a slick cover -- covering a bunch of "junk." I told my husband so; he said, "I thought so, too. We'll cancel at the end of this subscription."

I don't know what your staff was thinking in selecting those representing "Best Ever." Likely, many (most?) were self-nominating (or closely connected for the purposes of self-advertising.) You stated in the preface that the results were not a scientific study -- and yes, certainly not a decent random sampling. They were, however, dismal suggestions and a very poor representation of what might even be considered "somewhat good" in the community. The resulting insert does say something about the number of your remaining readers: it's likely very few readers read the solicitation for suggestions or CARED about the topic. Too bad. It's my opinion that your organization needs some serious help in your creative department. Save the paper -- next time.

A friend of Renee's once referred to me as the "negative" sister. At first I disagreed with her... Nobody wants to be known as the downer of a group. But now I see what she is talking about. You'd be pretty pessimistic too after getting booted from an industry that broadcasts your every mistake, carries airtight deadlines, and constantly encourages the public to voice their (mostly critical) opinions. What do you do when the only feedback about your hard work is a mean e-mail? If you are me then you cry a little on the outside and a lot on the inside. I just don't know how to win.