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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 4, 2017)
A8 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM COMMENTARY/COMMUNITY Real newspapers deliver real news By ROLLIE ATKINSON GUEST COMMENTARY “R eal Newspapers, Real News” is the theme of this year’s National Newspaper Week (Oct. 1-7.) Indeed, there’s always been lots of “real” at newspapers. Real stories, real journalism, real work, real deadlines, real honesty, real facts, real changes and, now, real threats. This is the 77th annual National Newspaper Week, a time to reflect on the job of newspapers to keep all things “real” such as real conversation, real democracy, real science, real trade, Rollie Atkins real fact-sharing, real faith and real friends. Of course we hear lots these days about what’s not real — so- called fake news and alternative facts and the non-stop stream of internet-based noise, disruptions and misinformation. The job of newspapers in Amer- ica and in thousands of hometowns like ours has never been more chal- lenging — or more challenged. Once upon a time, newspaper circulation grew faster than the country’s population. In many plac- es, newspaper subscriptions actually outnumbered total households. But since at least the 1980s, newspaper circulation in America has been on a steady and worsening decline. At the same time, newspapers remain the top choice for people seeking real news and reliable information. More than half of all Americans still subscribe or pay for newspapers or access to their web- More than half of all Americans still subscribe or pay for newspapers or access to their websites. America’s newspaper audience exceeds today’s TV news watchers. sites. America’s newspaper audience exceeds today’s TV news watchers. Less than 5 percent of this audience tune into FOX, CNN or MSNBC, according to a recent National Newspaper Association survey. Just 11 percent of the survey’s respon- dents said the internet was their primary news source. Newspapers have survived the advent of radio and broadcast TV. But the threat of 24/7 internet-de- livered media, commercials and amusement is disrupting the very reality for which newspapers were first invented. More and more peo- ple can’t tell the difference between real news and fake news. We use Facebook for faceless conversations, and we won’t accept that social media is very often anti-social. No amount of tweets will protect the public’s right to know or watchdog our government. A growing number of people, especially younger ones, think real news should be free and magically appear on their smart phones. Real journalists are losing their jobs because the old business model of newspapers is busted. Advertising revenues are declining faster than circulation at most newspapers, and hundreds of hometown papers have gone out of business in just the past few years. “Keeping it real” has become a rallying cry in newsrooms and news websites where journalists are trying to reinvent themselves and keep real news alive — and paid for. What is the future for newspa- pers? Cars will soon drive them- selves and keyboards may disappear from computers and offices. All news — including the real kind — may be delivered to our phones or even via brain implants. Who knows? The term “newspaper”may soon define something that has nothing to do with ink or paper, just like Xerox used to mean making copies or an iron horse was actually a train. Newspaper may become a misno- mer the way “service station,” “ice box” or “tin foil” all refer to vanish- ing artifacts. The real matter here is not so much keeping newspapers real; rather it is keeping journalism real. Real news requires fact-checking, research, practice, trust-building and a devotion to truth, honesty and democratic decision making. Real newspapers were born in times before electricity and tele- graphs. Real newspapers have witnessed and experienced changing realities, including the founding of this nation, world wars, space travel and personal computers, and next, robots and artificial intelligence. Whatever reality that newspapers next face to stay real and keep real news alive will require real readers and real revenues. Rollie Atkinson, is publisher for Sonoma West Publishers in Sebas- topol, California. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2017 IN BRIEF Hospital auxiliary sells sports jerseys An upcoming fundrais- er by the Good Shepherd Medical Center Auxiliary will appeal to sports enthu- siasts. Professional sports jer- seys and hoodies will be available for purchase Thursday, Oct. 12, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Con- ference Rooms 5-6 at the hospital, 610 N.W. 11th St., Hermiston. Money raised for the event will be used to purchase medical equip- ment and provide scholar- ships for those pursuing a career in the medical field. For more information, contact juner1942@gmail. com. Bilingual production highlights social issues A bilingual production that’s based on the true sto- ry of Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera will be staged in Pendleton. Presented by the Oregon Children’s Theatre touring production team, “Tomás & the Library Lady” is rele- vant and timely with social issues regarding immigra- tion and worker rights. Ri- vera’s family were migrant workers who fled war in Mexico to live in the Unit- ed States. The free performance is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pend- leton Center for the Arts, 214 N. Main St. In addi- tion, while the team is in the region, several school performances are planned in Hermiston. Ava Goodling, Oregon Children’s Theatre’s mar- keting associate, said using both English and Spanish in the production, really gives the audience a glimpse into the inside world of Tomás and his family. For people that aren’t bi-lingual, they won’t have any difficulty following the storyline, she said. For more information about the local perfor- mance, call the arts center at 541-278-9201. For more about the Oregon Chil- dren’s Theatre, visit www. octc.org. Liberty Quartet to perform in Stanfield A music ministry that bridges all generations, the Liberty Quartet will per- form in Stanfield. Founded in 1995, the Southern gospel group is based out of Boise. The quartet presents everything from high-energy perfor- mances to moments of con- templation. Regardless of the style, Liberty leads a concert of worship. The free event is Sun- day at 6 p.m. at Stanfield Baptist Church, 310 N.E. Wheeler Ave. A love offer- ing will be taken. MORE WINNERS. MORE OFTEN. OCTOBER 2017 ONE NIGHT ONLY OCTOBER 29 • 5PM PLAY AND WIN LIVE AUDIENCE TICKETS! $ 40,000 40,000 Bingo Bingo $ Doors Open at 9am Early Bird Session at Noon Main Session at 12:30pm Pre-purchase your seat at wildhorseresort.com Paper Only Event SAWYER BROWN! 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