What you have in your hands qualifies as an endangered species.
No, not me, or, more precisely, this column, although, as people my age like note, the days are long but the years are short.
It is the newspaper, the fate of which is an oft-told downward spiral, told less and less in the newspaper: Since 2005, more than 3,300 newspapers have ceased printing, according to the Pew Research Center, which tracks the news industry closely. This is all newspapers. Among daily newspapers, an estimated 200 stopped publishing entirely from 2000 to 2018.
I have been inclined to think that my own career in newspapers has been fairly steady, something the facts do not support, which may speak volumes about my own ability to track my career path.
Counting school publications, I have worked for 10 newspapers. Or 11, if you count the Redwood City Tribune, which, after a merger, became the Peninsula Times Tribune. Either way, both are gone. In total, seven of the 10 have disappeared. Two of the survivors, including the purported regional daily newspaper at the northern tip of the Peninsula, once were a dominant presence in their regions. Now they are shells of what they once were — circulation lingering around 60,000 — as they push more and more readers online with clickbait stories.
Ah, online news. If the declining fate of newspapers is familiar, so, too, is the growth in the number of people who rely on social media as a source of news. According to Pew, 86% of U.S. adults get some news from a device — phone, computer or tablet; 57% say they use these devices for news often. You can guess the age breakdown of online sources for news.
Enough data, because the point of all this is that the Daily Journal is observing its 25th anniversary despite my presence in its pages, which, history shows, could be seen as less than optimal.
This makes the DJ the third survivor, and, interestingly, the one that seems to be thriving in its role and in its place in the community.
Given the current environment, it seems to me there could be few things more important and valuable than a local newspaper that does its job. And the DJ does its job — reporting with a small but dedicated staff, paying attention and holding public officials accountable, even as it can make some of them uncomfortable (Hi, DJ.)
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It is an uphill battle that seems to be getting harder and harder. More than 300 years ago, long before the plague of the internet descended upon us, Jonathan Swift wrote that “falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it.”
The role of the DJ as a source of news may seem inconsequential amid the waves of misinformation and disinformation emanating from capitals around the world, including ours, and promulgated by forces that revel in misleading people. I am puzzled forever by those who seem to take joy in manipulation through lies.
But this is how, and where, we fight back — by doing what we do. In this particular instance, by reading and supporting your local newspaper. There are a dozen ways you can do this, including patronizing advertisers and paying the $99 for a year’s online subscription (a bargain).
Perhaps, most critically, see the newspaper as an essential tool of democracy, as an assertion of good civics.
I tend not to believe that the growing reliance on online news is as dire as it might seem. I am optimistic that people under 30, who have grown up with screens, are likely to be sophisticated users of online information. Some studies suggest that a consistent TikTok or Snapchat user knows the difference between fact and fad, and will go to legitimate news sources when the need for more and real information is necessary.
But it is up to us to provide context for all this, to be a resource for critical thinking and a wellspring of good civics. It is not enough that we read the newspaper.
Have the newspaper around the house in front of children and grandchildren. Teach them the value of straightforward, reporting and valuable information delivered without an agenda and without any other purpose than to inform and provide the truth and to serve as a watchdog for our community and the people who live in it. Have discussions over dinner and in the car, whether it is about a sports achievement at their school, or bike lanes, or whatever else is on the front page. It runs counter to the era in which we live. But eye rolls are better than clicks.
Teach skepticism, not cynicism.
(8) comments
Thanks for your column today, Mr. Simon, educating folks on the importance of newspapers. However, if newspapers continue to report only news that officials or spokespeople dictate instead of practicing journalism, then newspapers deserve to lose readers. Readers want more than a regurgitation of one side of a story – they want fairness in reporting both sides of the story. While I appreciate what the SMDJ is doing with their cadre of personnel, I’m struck by how often we get only one side of the story. Perhaps this is because those providing quotes and input into a story don’t allow questions or don’t answer questions but IMO, we’re only receiving reports and not journalism. There are plenty of stories (perhaps 100s over the years) on how government wants to raise taxes or fees or some other revenue enhancing measure but we never receive reports on what beneficiaries of our tax money are doing in regards to fiscal management (such as transportation). Shouldn’t there be some information or at least a statement questions were asked but there were no responses? How about some investigative journalism? Or do we need to browse/subscribe to new media sites? Striking another blow against the current state and content of newspapers.
It is this kind of sweeping assertion typically offered by you that routinely prompts me not to respond to you. But to say the Daily Journal only prints one side of the story is wrong, ignorant and irresponsible. The reporters here consistently and diligently print all sides of a story or indicate that one side or another could not be reached or did not respond to request for comment. Your own skewed world view does not make your opinions correct simply because they are your opinions. Meanwhile, you have maligned the integrity of hardworking, professional reporters.
Thank you Mr. Simon. I couldn't agree more. Those of us on Earth One know and appreciate the balanced and well researched journalism of the SMDJ, and you. I hope you continue to do great work, and know that your efforts are much appreciated by those of us who care about facts, even in "opinion" pieces!
I’m honored, Mr. Simon, you changed your routine to respond to me. Your outrage at how you feel I’m maligning others is noted and dismissed because if you read and understood my previous comment, you’ll realize I did no such thing. I stated that I appreciate what the SMDJ is doing with their cadre of personnel. Perhaps your (and apparently SMpool’s) world view conflates “journalism” with “reporting” which is a mistake. There are many media organizations which include folks who practice journalism in addition to doing the job of reporting and those media organizations are appreciated and are not likely losing as many subscribers. Who doesn’t want both sides of a story?
And please point me to articles which cover the “other” side, especially in regards to tax measures. We always hear about shortfalls and why these agencies want money. Is it due to ever increasing salaries, pensions, and benefits? Who knows? There’s never any “reporting” about how much money is used for labor. Also, nary a word about fiscal management practiced by these agencies. How about for your past bailiwick - transportation? Perhaps as a former executive at SamTrans and Caltrain you can explain to us why transportation agencies must operate at 100% capacity when capacity is 50% or less. Why not reduce capacity and if demand increases, add capacity? If you opt to not answer and instead return to your routine, I understand. No answer is an answer. Regardless, I’m looking forward to your next column. BTW, I wonder whether anyone’s contacted the Trump administration to take a closer look at federal funds given to BART or Caltrain. Maybe require a DOGE review before funds are disbursed?
Mark - I am a long term subscriber to the DJ and the SF Chronicle. Our college educated children have zero interest in printed news. When asked why there is no newspaper to be found in their houses, they just shrug their shoulders. They believe most printed articles are irrelevant, of questionable veracity and too political. It frightens me when I try to discuss current events but they do not seem interested. They get their news on their terms, which apparently does not include a printed format or even the available e-versions. Sorry to say, but based on our personal observations, I see dark days ahead for such publications.
Mark, The Swift quote is too brief to get the message through. Here it is expanded: "...that if a lie be believed only for an hour, it has done its work, and there is no further occasion for it. Falsehood flies, and the truth comes limping after it; so that when men come to be undeceived, it is too late; the jest is over, and the tale hath had its effect…”
Well, thanks, I guess.
There couldn't be a more apt description of the circumstances we now find ourselves in.
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