The News on the News Press




I don't get the local paper anymore, which means I'm often at a loss to know what's going on. It's too bad, I used to enjoy reading the News Press. Now I have to take solace in reading about the News Press. Fortunately much is written about the former award winning paper, just little that's positive.

With NP watcher Craig Smith in China, we're not getting as much news on the NP as usual. But Craig did let his loyal readers know that the LA Magazine had an article about Wendy McCaw and her fight with the paper and the community. And, I must say that while Wendy doesn't speak in it (she didn't return the calls apparently), we learn much about her.

The question raised here and really in much of the coverage has to do with the issue of public trust. Is the News Paper a public trust? As the article makes clear, in a town like Santa Barbara, which is fairly small, the community does put great trust in its paper. It is the vehicle by which we keep tabs on our community. I don't read the paper anymore, but from all that I hear and from what I've seen when I've picked up a copy -- the amount of local news continues to decrease as time goes on. When we had the big fires this past summer, the paper was publishing wire stories. That's simply bizarre.

But, what we now have is a vanity publication that is expressive of the eccentric views of its owner. Unfortunately that isn't what this community needs.

So, if you have a bit of time and a little interest, take a look at this excellent article by R.J. Smith. ---


"Inside the Santa Barbara News Press Mess" And don't you love the illustration from the magazine?

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