Indpls Star: Role of Newspapers

OPINION: Star needs to dig deeper into critical issues, Dennis Ryerson, July 20, 2008.

Reinforces the important role newspapers play in reporting on the challenging issues facing the community in addition to reporting on incidences of “misfeasance, malfeasance or nonfeasance.”

Don’t hesitate to let me know if there’s something you think we should be digging into. We can’t look into every issue but will do all that we can to probe deeply into the most critical ones.

Prompted me to start thinking about a taxonomy for change.   How do you frame the problem, keep people engaged, provide status on current results, not contribute to a sense of learned helplessness (keep reporting on an issue/situation that never improves), etc.

For example on the issue mass transit, On the road to new transit options, plenty of facts and solutions but facts are not synonymous with problems.  For example, the fact that a gallon of gas is over $4.00 is a problem for some but not for others.  Nelson Goud, in his comments on the Star’s online readers blog illustrates the point:

Fewer traffic fatalities due to less overall driving (research shows 1,000 fewer fatalities per month at $4 a gallon).

Less traffic on the roads (2.1 percent so far this year).

Many companies, colleges and government offices are implementing four-day workweeks to lessen energy costs.

Less air pollution (and related illnesses).

Public transit is at a 50-year high.

Large-vehicle sales are plummeting.

Industries wanting lower shipping costs are locating more work within the U.S. rather than overseas.