Unfortunately, only people who are paying attention are likely to read the editorial.
The APP encourages those of us who are paying attention to bring others into the conversation:
"Citizens who stay on top of the news should encourage others to do so — to read newspapers, political Web sites, campaign literature and political blogs, and to discuss the issues, candidates and platforms with friends and family. Those who remain apathetic and ill-informed will only compound the problems confronting the state and nation."
The APP can help itself by embracing and promoting local blogs and other news sources, rather than trying to compete with them.
When the APP rolled out its new website last spring Skip Hidlay, who was Managing Editor of the APP at the time, came with an entourage to visit me in my capacity as president of the Northern Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. The group was promoting the new site and educating community organizations how to use it to promote their activities and to use the APP site for blogging.
I encouraged Hidlay to integrate establish and emerging blogs into their site, rather than expect bloggers to abandon what they have in favor the APP site which I accurately told him wouldn't happen. The APP regularly visits this blog and others, they should facilitate their readers do the same. They should also link to weekly paper's websites that often do a better job covering local news than the APP can be expected to do.
The Internet age does not require "thinking outside the box." There is no box any longer and media outlets that try to control eyeballs are chasing their tail.
Speaking of the Northern Monmouth Chamber, today is my last day as President. The Chamber is holding its Annual Meeting this evening at the Lakeside Manor on Rt 36 in Hazlet from 5:30 till 8:00. You're invited.
Soprano State co-author Bob Ingle will be our guest speaker and will sign books. State Senator Joe Kyrillos will adminsiter the oath of office to the new officers and directors.
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2 comments:
It's a cute editorial and all but then where is the APP article covering Bob McLeod, the guy running for congress in the 6th against Frank Pallone? Where is the article about Alan Bateman in 12? And what about the Freeholders, John Curley barely gets a mention except when he resigns/moves to Middletown and then there is that woman who is running to represent Camden and some running mate... I haven't seen the APP cover that guy (is it a guy even??)
Well I must applaud Art for taking his dedication for good government and going further and getting writers to report local news in crucial areas, area where good daily news is lacking but the populace must get the accurate information it needs. by using his blog to inform and educate people who go to it. Art spends his time informing a growing number, the Middletown folk who made those comments about an article. Art - your doing a good for everyone, what the APP refuses to do neither has the resources to accomplish: Embed reporters to maintain honesty. (I from a town, Matawan, which suffers from dated efforts of average reporters). Nice to see some energy and progress.
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