Taking the slings and arrows over the Gerlach story
As journalists, we’re used to criticism for stories we write. It comes with the territory. If we’re doing our jobs, we’ll get all sides to a story and, inevitably, someone will be upset. Sometimes, we’re criticized for stories that we don’t write."
Basically he explains why the paper didn't jump on the Ce-Ce Gerlach story previously exposed on social media because they couldn't get responses from those involved.
In my opinion if people involved refuse to respond to inquires you run with what you got. The fallout from such lies on those refusing to talk. I've seen this countless times on TV investigating reporting when they knock on doors or try to confront individuals in person. If every investigative report relied on responses from those under scrutiny there'd never be any.
If the policy of The Morning Call is to withhold stories till they get callbacks they might as well throw in the towel. Face it nobody's ever going to ever call them back knowing the paper will sit on any story it comes across in the future. This doesn't seem to be a good message they're sending to their customers.
I thought Ms. Gerlach was a protected species, not subject to any criticism
ReplyDeleteNor the school district or NIZ. There's much reporting that remains to be done.
DeleteThe Morning Call is like a feel good, real good neighborhood brochure. There's plenty to report on. All one has to do is look on social media sites concerning Easton, Allentown and on other areas in the Lehigh Valley.
DeleteThe newspaper is making itself irrelevant. All they'd have to do is look at what is getting the most attention on these sites and address them. People themselves have lots to say. They're hungry for more. The paper needs to feed those appetites.
Why would anyone buy a newspaper if it doesn't go beyond what social media already provides?
Let’s also remember the Morning Call website no longer includes Reader Comments. I used to find that the best part of the local paper! My guess is, too many comments were negative about the way the Morning Call explained things, Agree with the comments, or not, this was our local neighbors expressing themselves ‘from the front lines.’ In a way, the ONLY poll that mattered. The Comment Section added a chance for our direct participation, if only in the form of pondering from the comfort of our easy chair.
DeleteAs a more than 50 year home delivery subscriber, I can now easily do without the present Morning Call. Just not enough there anymore to suit my interest.