Notes on the Incredible Shrinking Newspaper
One thing that really frustrates me about the Star-News is its utter lack of effort. When something controversial occurs, the investigative part of the reporting is typically lacking.
A minor case in point: The UNCW men’s soccer team just suspended its star player for the season. Here’s how the S-N put it:
“Head coach Aidan Heaney announced Monday the program has suspended forward Devan Carroll for the duration of the 2009 season.The press release noted Carroll, a senior, had violated team rules. He was the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year in 2008, and wrapped up the season with nine goals and 20 points. So going forward, the question becomes, who will take over the scoring load?”
No, going forward most readers would like to know what Carroll did to warrant such a draconian punishment (an earlier report had him booted from school as well). Let’s not rely on a press release but instead ask the right people the right questions. The reporter spoke to the coach, who tip-toed around the issue. OK, so pry further. Talk to an assistant, a player or two, a school official. This is what journalism is all about, and it’s why the S-N is so exasperating.
When I asked the paper’s semi-new myreporter.com if there was any truth to the rumor that a new YMCA was coming to Monkey Junction, a very nice woman got back to me a few weeks later saying she emailed and called the Y but never got a response. Sheesh.
The Star-News does many things well, but getting answers to tough (and not so tough) questions isn’t one of them.
Well stated Ranald. But the Star is not the only one failing, WECT is equally lagging. I share your frustrations and hope that down the road, our local news sources will step it up a notch or two. If one source begins to actually get down to journalism, they will surely see a boost in their ratings at the detriment of their competition. That should be incentive enough for them to get moving.
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