If an athlete from Glens Falls won an Olympic Medal, the Adirondack Thunder won the Stanley Cup, an Active Duty/Veteran won the Medal of Honor, or a current/former citizen won a Nobel Prize do you think there would be a plaque in Glens Falls commemorating that achievement? That is what the Pulitzer Prize is to journalism, it is a VERY big deal. Shouldn’t we recognize excellence in our area no matter what form it comes in and whether or not we agree with the source 100% of the time?
Exactly! Small newspapers rarely win Pulitzers. It is something that is now part of the great history of Glens Falls. It should be remembered and celebrated. Mark was honored at the time by the City, but the accomplishment should not be forgotten.
We are so fortunate, here in Greenwich, to have Darren Johnson at the helm of the Greenwich Journal Press. His commitment to the historic paper is deeply appreciated throughout the area.
Great piece Ken, thanks. Another aspect to new journalism happens here in the comment section. Traditional print media requires people to give their full name and location to have a letter to the editor included. The writer is vetted and verified. People who comment here under one, or a cute name want us to listen to their opinions (or in some cases, snark) and expect that we’ll respect what they have to say. The good news for The FrontPage is that you have a wide variety of readers and thoughts. Anonymity is cowardice. Have the guts to tell the community who you are and what you think. Only until the conversation is open to real identities will it have any value.
It wasn't unusual to get a phone call complaint when I was editor at the newspaper. I insisted that all of us in the newsroom identify ourselves when we answered the phone "Ken Tingley speaking." If the person was issuing a complaint, I asked who I was talking to. About half the time, they gave me their name and we continued. The other half of the time, I told them that they knew who they were talking to so it was only fair that I know who I was talking to and if they did not give me their name, then I was going to end the conversation. Many would give me their name after that. If they did not, I ended the phone call. So I agree with you 100 percent. The goal is to have a conversation, a give and take and not an insult-fest. Not giving your real name here is an act of cowardice or insecurity. Maybe both.
Thats all true, but Ken remember what the current "air" is like on social media. I use my name but do have a little concern who and what could pick it up & do some harm. I've had an attempt to scam me over the phone - I lucked out & just dont answer anymore. But they used my bank phone number & I think continue to do so every now & then. How many people continue to be fooled this way? So yes, I think complaints or snark under a "cute" name or "anonymous" is telling.
Ken, I used exactly the same practice when I was involved in some issues in the community (I.e, coming to town of the KKK) and when I served on the school board. I would listen up to a point, but when the anonymous callers became redundant, abusive, intimidating, or threatening, I would ask them to identify themselves. (“You know to whom you are talking, and I have the right to know who you are”). In most cases they would hang up, or I would.
I'm sure you noticed that young women were in the majority in the picture from Lookout Santa Cruz! Sure isnt how that would have looked a few years ago, is it? Its great that these smaller journalism winners are "out there" and available for young people who care.
Heartening column, Ken! Thanks for the hope! The Altamont Enterprise is another great feisty local paper.
I subscribe to the Times Union and the Troy Record. I used to subscribe to the Schenectady Gazette as well. I consider it a duty to support local media. But after the Gazette endorsed Elise Stefanik, I cancelled my subscription. Local news has even more of a responsibility to reflect their community than national news does, in my opinion.
So great to hear of your support of local media. Source told me that the endorsement of Stefanik was at the insistence of publisher so they deserve another chance.
I recall it was the tradition at the Schenectady Daily Gazette to not endorse political candidates. I guess that changed nine or ten years ago (a year or two after the current publisher was appointed.)
Thanks for sharing the comprehensive list of Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists, along with your analyses and insights. A free press, along with public education, is necessary for the preservation and strengthening of democracy. Both the press and education need more recognition, affirmation, and support.
Yes, there is hope! "Necessity is the mother of invention" and it is heartwarming to see these new forms spring up in order to continue unbiased reporting. Those crucial investigative reports are uncovering appalling and corrupt behavior at the highest levels and also within local, smaller communities, where in both cases, they fly in the face of public trust and public service. Thank you for providing us with an opportunity to read this important form of democracy in practice.
I hear so many people say they just can't adjust to not having newsprint. My counter is that if you read on tablet, the reading experience is just as good, the photos production better and there is an opportunity to check out video. There is a lot to like about digital journalism.
I agree. Also, readers of online news get breaking news quickly, as well as updates.
The one thing I miss from newsprint, oddly enough, is the advertising. For me, print advertisements were part of the content I liked reading. They kept me informed of new businesses and new services, and never interfered with reading the articles.
But with digital news, it's the opposite. Online advertisements are an impediment to reading online and only distract from the articles.
That's a good point about advertising. Something we don't think about. Online advertising never worked as well print. It's one of the reasons revenue still dropping for news organizations. Digital revenue is not as good as print.
If an athlete from Glens Falls won an Olympic Medal, the Adirondack Thunder won the Stanley Cup, an Active Duty/Veteran won the Medal of Honor, or a current/former citizen won a Nobel Prize do you think there would be a plaque in Glens Falls commemorating that achievement? That is what the Pulitzer Prize is to journalism, it is a VERY big deal. Shouldn’t we recognize excellence in our area no matter what form it comes in and whether or not we agree with the source 100% of the time?
Exactly! Small newspapers rarely win Pulitzers. It is something that is now part of the great history of Glens Falls. It should be remembered and celebrated. Mark was honored at the time by the City, but the accomplishment should not be forgotten.
I agree. There's so much negativity in our world today. We shouldn't pass up an opportunity to celebrate something positive!
We are so fortunate, here in Greenwich, to have Darren Johnson at the helm of the Greenwich Journal Press. His commitment to the historic paper is deeply appreciated throughout the area.
Very interesting!
Great piece Ken, thanks. Another aspect to new journalism happens here in the comment section. Traditional print media requires people to give their full name and location to have a letter to the editor included. The writer is vetted and verified. People who comment here under one, or a cute name want us to listen to their opinions (or in some cases, snark) and expect that we’ll respect what they have to say. The good news for The FrontPage is that you have a wide variety of readers and thoughts. Anonymity is cowardice. Have the guts to tell the community who you are and what you think. Only until the conversation is open to real identities will it have any value.
It wasn't unusual to get a phone call complaint when I was editor at the newspaper. I insisted that all of us in the newsroom identify ourselves when we answered the phone "Ken Tingley speaking." If the person was issuing a complaint, I asked who I was talking to. About half the time, they gave me their name and we continued. The other half of the time, I told them that they knew who they were talking to so it was only fair that I know who I was talking to and if they did not give me their name, then I was going to end the conversation. Many would give me their name after that. If they did not, I ended the phone call. So I agree with you 100 percent. The goal is to have a conversation, a give and take and not an insult-fest. Not giving your real name here is an act of cowardice or insecurity. Maybe both.
Thats all true, but Ken remember what the current "air" is like on social media. I use my name but do have a little concern who and what could pick it up & do some harm. I've had an attempt to scam me over the phone - I lucked out & just dont answer anymore. But they used my bank phone number & I think continue to do so every now & then. How many people continue to be fooled this way? So yes, I think complaints or snark under a "cute" name or "anonymous" is telling.
Ken, I used exactly the same practice when I was involved in some issues in the community (I.e, coming to town of the KKK) and when I served on the school board. I would listen up to a point, but when the anonymous callers became redundant, abusive, intimidating, or threatening, I would ask them to identify themselves. (“You know to whom you are talking, and I have the right to know who you are”). In most cases they would hang up, or I would.
Wonderful post! I miss you.
I'm sure you noticed that young women were in the majority in the picture from Lookout Santa Cruz! Sure isnt how that would have looked a few years ago, is it? Its great that these smaller journalism winners are "out there" and available for young people who care.
I worked for Ken Doctor in the 1980s. Best boss I ever had.
Also an impressive speaker.
Heartening column, Ken! Thanks for the hope! The Altamont Enterprise is another great feisty local paper.
I subscribe to the Times Union and the Troy Record. I used to subscribe to the Schenectady Gazette as well. I consider it a duty to support local media. But after the Gazette endorsed Elise Stefanik, I cancelled my subscription. Local news has even more of a responsibility to reflect their community than national news does, in my opinion.
So great to hear of your support of local media. Source told me that the endorsement of Stefanik was at the insistence of publisher so they deserve another chance.
Grudgingly. Maybe. We'll see.
I recall it was the tradition at the Schenectady Daily Gazette to not endorse political candidates. I guess that changed nine or ten years ago (a year or two after the current publisher was appointed.)
Thanks for sharing the comprehensive list of Pulitzer Prize winners and finalists, along with your analyses and insights. A free press, along with public education, is necessary for the preservation and strengthening of democracy. Both the press and education need more recognition, affirmation, and support.
Yes, there is hope! "Necessity is the mother of invention" and it is heartwarming to see these new forms spring up in order to continue unbiased reporting. Those crucial investigative reports are uncovering appalling and corrupt behavior at the highest levels and also within local, smaller communities, where in both cases, they fly in the face of public trust and public service. Thank you for providing us with an opportunity to read this important form of democracy in practice.
Yes to a plaque for journalism for Mark!
Absolutely!
Thanks for this encouraging news! Delighted to hear this!
Local media will continue to adapt to changes in technology. Have to look forward, not back.
I hear so many people say they just can't adjust to not having newsprint. My counter is that if you read on tablet, the reading experience is just as good, the photos production better and there is an opportunity to check out video. There is a lot to like about digital journalism.
I agree. Also, readers of online news get breaking news quickly, as well as updates.
The one thing I miss from newsprint, oddly enough, is the advertising. For me, print advertisements were part of the content I liked reading. They kept me informed of new businesses and new services, and never interfered with reading the articles.
But with digital news, it's the opposite. Online advertisements are an impediment to reading online and only distract from the articles.
That's a good point about advertising. Something we don't think about. Online advertising never worked as well print. It's one of the reasons revenue still dropping for news organizations. Digital revenue is not as good as print.
The Front Page is the future. The Post Star is the past.