EDITORIAL: Responses regarding the idea of a COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Posted on 02/21/2024 by szpinner

This is an ongoing list of comments and opinions received in response to the “PICKERING NEWSPAPER” idea:

From BRS:     $$$
I hear what you are saying but like it or not newspapers started a slow death years ago. Even the largest can’t keep their costs down. This means a lot of advertising to keep costs minimized – annoying in a small paper. Even Metroland/News Advertiser has gone digital. It’s not just production and delivery costs (huge) but it would require legitimate journalists to do the research and the writing and editing. If you are thinking of your blog as a substitute I wish you all the best but it would require a lot more than one person could do to be timely.

R responds:
The idea of this newspaper would not be to make money. It is a communication tool to give the residents of the community information. Everyone knows that newspapers are today’s “dodos,”  It would be a pragmatic package of information about the City, not a money-making venture but an annual expense shared by all Pickering residents. If they want access to ‘hands-on’ information rather than a computer-driven website, they have to accept there will be a price for it.
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From OR   a very comprehensive and thoughtful response

Dear Richard Szpin,
 
I must express my disagreement with the idea of the City publishing its own newspaper for several reasons:
 
1. Expense: The financial burden of producing a newspaper is significant, not only in terms of production but also distribution costs.
2. Timeliness: There’s an inherent delay between when news occurs and when it can be published in a print format, leading to outdated information being circulated.
3. Environmental Concerns: The production of a physical newspaper contributes to paper wastage, which is an environmental concern that cannot be overlooked.
4. Limited Interaction: Unlike digital platforms such as Facebook, newspapers offer limited opportunities for real-time discussion. The traditional letters to the editor section does not guarantee publication of all viewpoints, thus allowing for potential bias and limiting diverse perspectives.
5. Propaganda Risk: Given the selective nature of letter publication, there’s a tangible risk of the newspaper evolving into a municipal propaganda tool, rather than a balanced source of information.
 
In contrast, I advocate for enhanced online engagement, which could include:
– Verified and Transparent Polling: Implementing systems for transparent polling on civic issues to gauge public opinion accurately.
– Mandatory Q&A Sessions: Establishing mandatory question and answer sessions to ensure community concerns are addressed.
– Improved Delegation Processes: Revamping the system of delegation to City Hall to ensure that public submissions are not only acknowledged but actively considered in council decisions.
 
Currently, the process seems flawed, with delegations often feeling disregarded and decisions appearing to be predetermined without genuine debate in council chambers.
 
I’ve observed that discussions on Facebook regarding city affairs are quite active and engaging. Such platforms demonstrate the potential for digital spaces to facilitate lively and immediate community dialogue.
 
R responds:
What is particularly gratifying about this response from OR is that it offers alternatives to the newspaper idea. It presents a superb analysis against the newspaper idea but does not stop there. Instead, it concisely suggest plausible alternatives. This was the whole point behind the proposal of the newspaper project, to open the door to other ideas, other considerations. This is what OR does…he not only argues against the newspaper but he offers alternatives for the community to consider. A marvellous response…kudos to this responder.
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From DG   newspapers used by the aged only?

Metroland and other publishing enterprises have shown there is no business case for local print media.
 
Unfortunately, only us older folks are willing to pay and read print media. Local newspapers rely on advertisers to pay 
 not subscribers. Social media has sucked the vast majority of advertising dollars.
 
As long as the majority of the community relies on social media for information, the future of print media is poor.
 
Additionally…
As an Ajax resident now, and having lived the area since 1977, I have always been aware there is a real difference in the  
two communities politically. 
 
I think the Pickering people have been polarized over issues and both sides are much more vehement in their views.
Examples are the Dump, The Nuke Plant, the Airport; Frenchman’s Bay; Merger with Ajax; Pickering Town centre; High Rise Development. and the Waste Treatment plant. I left out numerous other issues but you get the point.
 
I have found that many seniors are adopting Zoom type technology more readily, maybe it seems like watching TV. 
 
Solution, I will leave that to others
 
R responds:
The “old” ways worked for us but they are no longer viewed as having practical value.
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From PW      commenter hits the target accurately
I think its like flogging a dead horse; people don’t give a shit about fixing the ills of society till it’s too late; technology has moved forward (not always for the better)  and everything is driven by electronic communications. This is where efforts should be targeted. Mike Borie puts out more information about local and provincial politics than any statements from our City. He copies it off the newsfeeds. How can we improve this system to serve us? 
 
R responds:
Very true, technology spreads its communication tentacles but older people arent adapting to it. Your last line is dead on target….the City should be responding to the need for better communication methods in constructive and meaningful ways. At the moment, it feels like the City is just sitting on the problem.
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From NG      commenter suggests subscribing to City site
I suggest that people sign up for the City of Pickering newsletters and calendar of events. If subscribed, you will receive daily and weekly updates of all and any events that are happening in the community and within council.
 
R responds:
Commenter NG is on target with the suggestion of subscribing to the City communication. However, this still assumes the use of electronic devices which is not the case for many Pickering residents. The City still needs to discuss alternatives to electronic devices. However, I think the City may have to accept the situation and begin a massive push to help non-users become users. Technology use is becoming increasingly unavoidable in our society and non-users may need constructive help to convince them to join. Until our world changes again to ‘a world beyond technology,’ electronic device use is unavoidable.
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From SM      commenter makes valid point about the omitted side
 
With regards to the statement many residents don’t use the internet. Well, I would say many do. Information should be provided equally to citizens on either side. I would not want to receive or access any information from the city other than online.

 Local Newspaper. A local news paper is good idea but many are not profitable. If the Government goes ahead funds these there will always be the thought with many that the newspaper promotes government point of view. This is a challenging issue.

Addtionally…
The Charter of Rights is the one document that was supposed to protect us citizens but in fact it’s a document used to remove some of the things, than maintain control within our society: parents can’t discipline their kids; teachers are not allowed to use control to manage rowdy/bad/kids; criminals don’t receive or are to be made accountable for their crimes. And whenever anyone attempts to take action, the courts rule they over reached.
 
R responds:
Commenter SM has valid point about users being omitted in our criticisms. We apologize for the omission. 

On his additional points, SM’s lamentations about our society are very valid points. We seem to be so busy trying to ensure equity and equal treatment in our society we eschew the good that we should be maintaining. Again, the roots of this dissolution of the good in our society stem from the ever-increasing use of social media. As well, social media’s anonymity means people can post demeaning material without accountability which seems to broaden the problem.
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From HS      advocates municipalities need a newspaper
 
Pickering, like every municipality does need a newspaper.  However, having the city publish the newspaper would require an additional budget and would entail a bias as articles would be written from the “city’s” perspective.  We need a local newspaper with an editor, publisher, journalists etc.  This has unfortunately been found to be unprofitable as Metrolands disbanded all their local papers.  Some alternatives would be greatly appreciated
 
R responds:
Budget issues are easy…put the onus on the resident through a small annual fee…say $50/year. I know they will balk at the fee/tax increase, but the public whines about everything. Just put it through, FULL STOP….that is if the idea of a city newspaper ever sees the light of day at all.
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