Newspapers play an important role in any democratic society - they inform, educate and compel citizens to act up, speak out or merely express gratitude for not being as unlucky as the people in the stories.
A New Brunswick-based publishing company recently announced its intention to start a good news only newspaper out of Moncton this week.
Publishers of Zoom NB, said the paper plans to support the people, stories and events of the community by reporting only good news stories.
Are they suggesting regular newspapers, don't support the community, its people and events? If this is the case, then I beg to differ.
The Chief, like many high calibre publications in this country, supports its community by reporting on events that affects its residents. A flood, a crime, or the mysterious employee shuffle at Municipal Hall - all of the stories need to be told and practically every reputable newspaper does so.
Residents want to know about a natural disaster that has affected their region. They need to know who was affected, how badly were they affected, what's going to happen now and whose fault was this?
A good news newspaper would likely report on a natural disaster, but only mention the donations, and tireless work of dozens of volunteers and this only tells half the story. Turning a blind eye to inadequate water system, poor dyke maintenance or river warnings doesn't help anyone. Ignorance isn't bliss, it's just plain irresponsible.
Responsible publications and journalists ask questions, demand answers and report on the facts. Any journalist worth a dime won't skew the facts to make a story more digestible and upbeat. That's the job of a publicist or the advertising department.
Rather than call itself a newspaper, perhaps good news only publishers would consider calling the collection of syrupy sweet stories a tabloid, a gazette or a digest? The term newspaper suggests a portion, if not all, of the editorial content will have some news value pertinent to maintaining an educated opinion on your community.
A collection of positive stories demonstrates nothing more than the reader's inability to maintain a positive perspective in light of a negative situation.
Frankly, I'd rather not read an entire 36-page weekly about people winning the lottery, finding long lost relatives and medical miracles because it will make me wonder when will it be my turn to hit the jackpot and win big?
I'd rather read about real events, the good stories balanced with the not-so-pleasant stories, this way I'm inspired to do more but be thankful for what I have.
Many people complain a newspaper always has way too much negative press and not nearly enough good news stories, but I'd like to remind everyone journalists don't make the news, we just report it.
If you want to see more good news in your local paper go out, do some good and tell someone at the local paper about it.
