Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Into The Void with John Miller

A Newspaper's Job

There are some in town who think the Picayune has been going too far in its coverage of the utility situation, reporting the number of unpaid accounts on a cycle-by-cycle basis, along with the reporting and columns concerning Aegis Biomedical.

What many don't realize, though, is there is a difference between a news story and a column. A column is the writer's opinion, not the stance of a newspaper, and not a story. Articles should only reflect what happened at a meeting, event or occurrence and not show the writer's prejudices or thoughts.

Back in the dark ages when I was studying journalism, I learned of the three tenets: (1) protect the rights of the common man; (2) print the truth; and (3) raise hell. This is what I've been trying to do for more than 15 years.

Reporters attend meetings average people won't bother with, such as city council, quorum court and school board. It is important the general public have access to what these governing bodies are doing and how they are spending tax monies. It is the job of the reporter to write what happened in a manner most people can understand. (I was told to write on a third grade level.)

There was a time in this nation's history when the press wasn't granted the access to information it now enjoys. During this period deals were commonly made in "smoke-filled back rooms" where the public had no say or knowledge of what transpired. It was the print media fighting for the people's rights that brought this to a close.

And it should stay closed. There is no reason a governing body should fear the media, unless said body is doing something illegal. If so the media will get involved to try to uncover the criminal act, again letting the people know what's going on.

It is the responsibility of the media to bring what the councils, courts and boards of a community are doing to light; to let the public know someone out there is watching and will be there to fight for them when they won't or can't.

Now, don't get the wrong impression. Reporting the news is only part of a newspaper's job. It is also responsible for covering sporting events and telling people how their children fared in the field of athletics against others. There's more leeway in sports reporting than in news, thus allowing the reporter to be more colorful and creative in his writing, all the while giving an accurate account of what took place.

Newspapers also give schedules of upcoming community events, thereby people to arrange their schedules to attend those of interest to them. This includes giving lunch menus from the area schools so the parents and children can decide what to do about the midday meal in advance.

Bad news is not the only thing reporters go after, or newspapers print. Articles on the achievements of those in the community are reported, as are announcements of marriage, births and deaths.

Newspapers aren't the enemy, but the watchdogs of a community. It is their job to inform the public in reporting the news. Praise and condemnation should only come in editorial comment, which is only the opinion of the editorial writer.