News worth paying for
In this era of fake news, untrustworthy bloggers and alternative facts, local newspapers and their websites are still the most dependable and accurate sources in communities across the nation.
I am not saying this simply because I work at the Rome News-Tribune. I am saying this because, like many of you, I am also a print reader and a web reader.
People often ask me how I spend my day at work. Most of my time is actually spent reading — reading stories our reporters write, reading stories on The Associated Press news feed, reading stories other newspapers publish, reading news stories on the internet, reading Facebook posts, reading bills posted on the Georgia General Assembly website.
I find myself, over the years, becoming more cynical. While this is disturbing, I have to admit a good editor has to be cynical and wary. Online readers should also be wary when it comes to getting reliable news. There’s a lot of garbage out there. I would urge unwary readers to ask themselves a few questions as they peruse the internet for information on a daily basis.
Who is providing this information? Do they have a motive other than simply informing the reader? Is there possible bias I might be unaware of?
Most news agencies, mine included, hate to get things wrong. Yes, we hate not to be first in breaking a big story, but without hesitation I would say we would rather be late and right than first and wrong.
That is why we check sources and draw from verifiable public documents. We call, we ask, we check. We do make mistakes. We run corrections.
It costs money to produce news, whether it’s in print or online. Most readers understand that; the stubborn ones don’t.
A few weeks ago the Rome News-Tribune started a fee system for our online content aimed at those who are not already MIKE COLOMBO subscribers. Print subscribers get everything online for free.
The feedback hasn’t been all that surprising. Everyone likes free stuff and no one likes paying for what was previously given to them. But overall, most readers seem to understand WHY we charge for what we do.
Since the internet age dawned, many news organizations, including the Rome News-Tribune, have put news online for free as a way to draw readers.
That has slowly changed as more and more readers choose to engage us through their cellphones, tablets and laptops.
Now, most major news outlets give you so many stories online and then you have to start paying. That list includes the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.
A few days ago a co-worker was at the dentist’s office. While the dentist had implements of destruction in said co-worker’s mouth, he launched a complaint about not getting the news for free anymore.
I told my friend he should have asked the dentist when it was over if the cleaning was free. I am pretty certain the answer would have been no.
Most of our readers know that if an article appears in the Rome News-Tribune or online at RN-T.com it has been written by someone who checked their sources.
On most days, two if not three editors read behind them. It’s our job to get it right. We think that’s worth paying for.