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Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Newspapers can be confusing places with an odd assortment of people each carrying out his or her particular duties. To the public at large seeking to speak to someone in authority, it can be a bit of a maze.
Please let me be your guide.
To begin, as I used to explain to school tour groups, many people think the editor is in charge of the entire newspaper. Actually, the editor runs the news and information portion of the newspaper and is in charge of the editorial department's daily and online content. That's a big enough job to do without having to actually direct all of the business of the newspaper.
The person actually in charge of the entire newspaper is the publisher.
In either case, even if you want to go straight to the top and talk to the man in charge, it's better not to start with either the editor or the publisher.
They both have assistants whose jobs it is to get problems solved, usually by directing a call to the person who actually might be able to resolve the problem.
In many, but not all, cases, that is the Reader Representative. At the very least, I can listen to your problem and, if I can't resolve it, I can try to point you in the right direction.
As a newspaper, we really do exist to communicate with members of the community. In many cases it's how we find some of our best stories.
In contrast, the Washington Post caused a bit of a stir in media circles this past week when publisher and CEO Katharine Weymouth was listed in a brochure as the hostess of "salons" in her home to allow lobbyists and association executives easy, non-confrontational, off-the- record access to reporters, and political officials, from Obama's administrators to members of Congress. That access would be available for a fee ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
We all know that newspapers are exploring new ways to increase revenue, but even lobbyists were aghast at the prospect.
To be fair, I need to clarify that this information was posted on a political blog ( politico.com).I did, however, go on the Washington Post Web site to verify it. Not only are they admitting it, their Ombudsman (Post talk for Reader Representative) Andrew Alexander, has referred to it as "a public relations disaster."
Seems some employees in a new marketing department, who didn't check with the editor or anyone in the editorial department, decided the whole thing sounded like a good idea. They were very, very wrong.
The "salons" have been cancelled and the Post is trying to recover some of its credibility.
The bottom line in this discussion is we want our reporters to have access to you and for you to have access to them. That's why we put their names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers at the top of every story they write. You don't have to pay for the privilege or even buy them lunch. They are doing their jobs.
If, however, you don't know exactly who to call, here are some additional contact numbers that can help you navigate the business that is your newspaper:
Circulation customer service, (409) 838-2818 or 1-800-891-3638;
Classified advertising, (409) 838-2888;
Advertising director, (409) 838-2819;
News (409) 838-2859;
Corrections, clarifications or questions, the Reader Representative, (409) 880-0748.
If we can help or you need to discuss something with us, give us a call. We won't even send you a bill for $25,000.
* * *
Today is the anniversary of one of the days that seems to bring out people who want to have babies or get married on memorable dates.
Just two years ago it was 07-07-07 filling up wedding chapels around the world. Last year it was 08-08-08. I suspect this year, we'll have a bit of a flurry on 09-09-09.
Newspapers can be confusing places with an odd assortment of people each carrying out his or her particular duties. To the public at large seeking to speak to someone in authority, it can be a bit of a maze.
Please let me be your guide.
To begin, as I used to explain to school tour groups, many people think the editor is in charge of the entire newspaper. Actually, the editor runs the news and information portion of the newspaper and is in charge of the editorial department's daily and online content. That's a big enough job to do without having to actually direct all of the business of the newspaper.
The person actually in charge of the entire newspaper is the publisher.
In either case, even if you want to go straight to the top and talk to the man in charge, it's better not to start with either the editor or the publisher.
They both have assistants whose jobs it is to get problems solved, usually by directing a call to the person who actually might be able to resolve the problem.
In many, but not all, cases, that is the Reader Representative. At the very least, I can listen to your problem and, if I can't resolve it, I can try to point you in the right direction.
As a newspaper, we really do exist to communicate with members of the community. In many cases it's how we find some of our best stories.
In contrast, the Washington Post caused a bit of a stir in media circles this past week when publisher and CEO Katharine Weymouth was listed in a brochure as the hostess of "salons" in her home to allow lobbyists and association executives easy, non-confrontational, off-the- record access to reporters, and political officials, from Obama's administrators to members of Congress. That access would be available for a fee ranging from $25,000 to $250,000.
We all know that newspapers are exploring new ways to increase revenue, but even lobbyists were aghast at the prospect.
To be fair, I need to clarify that this information was posted on a political blog ( politico.com).I did, however, go on the Washington Post Web site to verify it. Not only are they admitting it, their Ombudsman (Post talk for Reader Representative) Andrew Alexander, has referred to it as "a public relations disaster."
Seems some employees in a new marketing department, who didn't check with the editor or anyone in the editorial department, decided the whole thing sounded like a good idea. They were very, very wrong.
The "salons" have been cancelled and the Post is trying to recover some of its credibility.
The bottom line in this discussion is we want our reporters to have access to you and for you to have access to them. That's why we put their names, e-mail addresses and telephone numbers at the top of every story they write. You don't have to pay for the privilege or even buy them lunch. They are doing their jobs.
If, however, you don't know exactly who to call, here are some additional contact numbers that can help you navigate the business that is your newspaper:
Circulation customer service, (409) 838-2818 or 1-800-891-3638;
Classified advertising, (409) 838-2888;
Advertising director, (409) 838-2819;
News (409) 838-2859;
Corrections, clarifications or questions, the Reader Representative, (409) 880-0748.
If we can help or you need to discuss something with us, give us a call. We won't even send you a bill for $25,000.
* * *
Today is the anniversary of one of the days that seems to bring out people who want to have babies or get married on memorable dates.
Just two years ago it was 07-07-07 filling up wedding chapels around the world. Last year it was 08-08-08. I suspect this year, we'll have a bit of a flurry on 09-09-09.
posted by Sheila Friedeck at 12:32 PM
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