Thursday, November 01, 2001

 

News in a small town

I've been thinking about this for a few days, and I guess today is the day to finally write (ramble) about it. I'm glad I don't work for the newspaper I used to work for. There are many reasons for that, but there's one reason that's really sticking out right now.

When you work for a small newspaper (13,000 circulation) in a semi-rural area, when something big happens in the world you have to find a way to localize it. Let me tell you, sometimes you really have to stretch. Of course it matters to readers how terrorism affects them, but having to make those stretches gets old.

I'm sure if I was still there I'd be writing stories about how the city government is preparing for possible acts of terror; how do the area firefighters feel about their new "hero" status; is Zippo going to send lighters to the troops. Yawn.

I've seen their stories on anthrax hoaxes and increased airport security. Yawn. Don't get me wrong, there are a few reasons that obscure rural area could be a target. Fairly large oil refinery. A dam that saves the Pittsburgh area from flooding. Zippo. But get real. Does anyone really, honestly think McKean County, Pennsylvania, is a terrorist target?

There are good things about working for a newspaper in a small town. When Ben Vereen, Crystal Gayle and the Oakridge Boys come to town and you get to interview them and/or hang out with them, people think you're cool. When you interview the governor (Tom Ridge at the time), people ask you what he's really like ... and they think you're cool. When you go to a lunch with Hillary Clinton, people ask what she's really like. And they think you're cool.

But when you write stories about a guy who used to live in your area but now lives seven blocks from the World Trade Center and saw the smoke, but didn't leave his apartment ... people think you're lame. Know what? You are. The story is.

It's important to know that your area is prepared for possible acts of terrorism. But, other than that, the stretches should stop.

posted by Anne 11/01/2001 09:59:00 AM