I’ll admit that in writing, my heart first belongs to fiction. I am a constant reader and writer of the form. I love journalism too, and I’m deeply in love with newspapers as a whole (the feel, the look, the concept and history). But journalism is a craft with strict parameters, making it less free than the art of fiction writing, but no less rewarding when it is done well. One element remains true for both, though. To say it bluntly: leave your style and voice in, but keep yourself out of the story.
A popular author once said something to the effect that in a well written story, the reader learns a lot about the characters and little about the author. Whereas in a poorly written story, the reader learns a lot about the author and little about the characters.
The same is true in reporting. By and large, many of today’s media outlets and reporters have adopted a rap for taking one-sided positions on issues and not following fair reporting practices. Or for overlooking positive issues and only focusing on the “bad news.” Call me idealistic, but I am one of an old school of journalism that dictates—practically mandates—a reporter to consider an issue from all angles, take a middle ground, report “just the facts,” and not carrytale rumor or speculation.
Is there room for style? Of course. Is there room for skillful arrangement? Definitely. But in my opinion, a newspaper is a conduit, an information center, a gathering place, a reflection of the goings-on of the community it serves. Nothing more, nothing less.
During a recent phone call with a resident inquiring about submissions, I was surprised to learn that some Sun Day readers were concerned about an aspect of the opening line I wrote in the cover story of the first edition: “If there’s one thing Sun City has, it’s community, a sense that, as Barack Obama said, ‘We can do better together.’”
It was presented to me that quoting Barack Obama could be suggestive of a political stance.
I was twice more surprised during two separate advertising meetings, when the businesses’ owners looked up from flipping through the Sun Day, and said, “Now, what I’m trying to figure out is if this paper is democratic or republican, is if it’s conservative or liberal.”
My immediate response to both these statements was a direct “neither.” And in the case of the Barack Obama quote, it is hardly suggestive of a political stand, although I can see how it might be construed as one. It was simply an available and applicable quote among others I considered.
Do people do better together? I think so. (Two minds are better than one, as the saying goes). I also think the Sun City Community demonstrates this.
People have their politics (as do I), and I respect that. I encourage it and welcome curiosity when one considers reading the Sun Day or advertising in it. But the fact is, the Sun Day does not support or reject any political party. It remains the middleman. It does, however, support the Community. Therefore, whatever is found in Sun City is found in the Sun Day.
