Catching up on readers’ questions

I get many questions from Orlando Sentinel readers, and despite a couple of recent columns, they are not all about President Donald Trump. So here’s some recent ones:

What is it exactly that you do? That one comes from one of my daughters.

I’m paraphrasing (and she was joking), but the question came up after she heard me lamenting the lack of civility in some conversations with readers. So for those new to Inside the Newsroom – and to the others who might want a refresher – here is my job:

I am called Director of Content for Operations and Standards. My job has many aspects, but the central one is to be your eyes and ears in the newsroom. I am tasked with listening to your thoughts, complaints and praise and talking with you about the Orlando Sentinel.

Sometimes that means explaining what we do, sometimes it means defending it and sometimes it means criticizing my bosses and questioning the decisions we make.

I’m also responsible for handling corrections as well as updating and proposing newsroom policies, such as how and when we write about suicides, which I covered in an earlier column. I work for Julie Anderson, the editor-in-chief at the Orlando Sentinel and our sister paper, the South Florida Sun Sentinel. We plan to expand my work with readers to the Sun Sentinel in coming weeks.

Although I heard a lot about our recent non-endorsement of President Trump, I am not a member of the editorial board. I do, though, write opinion, which

is why my columns have my photo and the word “Commentary” is in the headline.

I’m always here for a conversation, so email me at the address at the end of the column.

If you can bring back a longer Today in History, why can’t you bring back obituaries? We were able to move the Today in History column from its cramped space on the puzzle page to Page A2. This allowed us to add back items and even get in a photo. That was relatively easy. It involved existing content and didn’t require us to hire anyone new or add space to the print newspaper.

I have said in past that I support the return of the obituary list and explained to readers that management is reviewing the decision. One challenge is the cost, which one estimate says amounts to a fulltime staffer and perhaps extra newsprint.

I have a meeting in the next couple of weeks on the issue and will update readers.

“Why so many recent articles on the moon landing (Apollo 11) and Pulse? I for one am sick and tired of both.” I’m not.

I told the reader that in different ways these are two of the most significant events that happened in Central Florida. Also, one great thing about a newspaper or website is there are many other things to read, so if for some inexpiable reason you don’t find coverage of such memorable events worth your time, you can find other content.

I am extremely proud of our Pulse coverage, then and now. From the first moment that Sunday three years ago, we wanted to keep the focus on those who died, those who survived and the impact on our community. I find it sad to be sick of such coverage, but this type of email started arriving within a week of the attack and comes back each June.

As for Apollo 11 coverage, we are publishing daily coverage on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and a book, Apollo 50: The Golden Anniversary of America’s Moon Landing. Even decades later, I still remember the awe I felt watching man set foot on the moon.

Other that this reader, I hope you do, too.

Why didn’t my paper arrive today? Why am I paying this much? I get many circulation and delivery questions, but likely won’t get to them as quickly as if you called customer service. That number is 407-420-5353 or 1-800-359-5353.

There also is a lot of information at membership.orlandosentinel.com/faq that might help you better and faster than I can.

But for a future column, I would like to get your questions about circulation and delivery. Email me at address below.

I am extremely proud of our Pulse coverage, then and now. From the first moment that Sunday three years ago, we wanted to keep the focus on those who died, those who survived and the impact on our community.

John Cutter is director of content for operations and standards and writes the Inside the Newsroom column. Email: jcutter@orlandosentinel.com.