What's Black and White and Read All Over? (Truly Grateful Series)
I frequently wonder about how decisions are made when it comes to running a local newspaper. I am often puzzled as to why some stories are told and some are not. Why are certain bits of news deemed important enough to go on the front page while others are relegated to pages further back? I really have to question the thought process involved with these decisions sometimes. This seems to be especially true of the small town newspaper that is published here.
As an example, when the huge earthquake struck Haiti this week, that news was on page nine of our local newspaper. On the front page was an article full of tips on how college students can use their time wisely. (!!?) I have nothing against college students using their time wisely. In fact, I think it is a very good idea for them to do that. I have a son who is a college student, and I certainly want him to use his time wisely. However, doesn't it seem like the news from Haiti should have ranked higher in precedence than an article about time management tips for college students? It certainly seems that way to me. I realize that the earthquake in Haiti is classified as "world news" rather than local news and that is why it was further back in the paper, but the priorities still baffle me.
My comments about the priorities of the local paper aside, some of you have asked or emailed me regarding a follow up to some news from my little town that I posted about here at the end of December. Some of you may remember that an elderly lady was murdered in her own home just a few blocks from where I live here during the last week of December. The toxicology report is in. They found no alcohol or drugs in her system. The official autopsy states that she died as a result of blunt force trauma to the face and head. The authorities have not released any further information with regards to a suspect or motive. The news of the autopsy report made the front page headline of Friday's paper.
This is very sad news, of course. We don't know what caused someone to commit such an act of senseless violence against one of our own. Not knowing, doesn't keep the local folks from guessing and surmising and spreading rumors about it, though. I have heard the rumors about what the police suspect, but since they are only rumors, I prefer not to spread that news here.
Murders are rare occurrences in this town. We seldom have such shocking news greeting us on the front page. That's certainly a good thing, isn't it. After the autopsy report news blazed across the headline in Friday's paper, things were apparently back to "normal" here on Saturday. On Saturday, the big news that made the front page headline of our paper was an article that gave people advice on clearing away the clutter in their closets and garages. Seriously. That's what it was.
As an example, when the huge earthquake struck Haiti this week, that news was on page nine of our local newspaper. On the front page was an article full of tips on how college students can use their time wisely. (!!?) I have nothing against college students using their time wisely. In fact, I think it is a very good idea for them to do that. I have a son who is a college student, and I certainly want him to use his time wisely. However, doesn't it seem like the news from Haiti should have ranked higher in precedence than an article about time management tips for college students? It certainly seems that way to me. I realize that the earthquake in Haiti is classified as "world news" rather than local news and that is why it was further back in the paper, but the priorities still baffle me.
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My comments about the priorities of the local paper aside, some of you have asked or emailed me regarding a follow up to some news from my little town that I posted about here at the end of December. Some of you may remember that an elderly lady was murdered in her own home just a few blocks from where I live here during the last week of December. The toxicology report is in. They found no alcohol or drugs in her system. The official autopsy states that she died as a result of blunt force trauma to the face and head. The authorities have not released any further information with regards to a suspect or motive. The news of the autopsy report made the front page headline of Friday's paper.
Murders are rare occurrences in this town. We seldom have such shocking news greeting us on the front page. That's certainly a good thing, isn't it. After the autopsy report news blazed across the headline in Friday's paper, things were apparently back to "normal" here on Saturday. On Saturday, the big news that made the front page headline of our paper was an article that gave people advice on clearing away the clutter in their closets and garages. Seriously. That's what it was.
Obviously, Saturday was a slower news day than Friday. Although it doesn't make for very exciting reading in the local paper, I definitely prefer that we have slower news days. I am glad that we have many, many more of those kinds of days here than we have of the "big" news days like Friday.
Lord, for the abundance of slow news days here, please let me be truly grateful.
