Comments on: Editor’s Notes: Dec. 08

By: John Scott

John Scott — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:50:14 +0000

As one who, somewhat guiltily, gave up on the Lansing State Journal a couple of years ago, I’m not surprised that their reporters are given no more training in news-gathering than the pretty people who “report” for the local TV news outlets. What I’m deathly afraid of is an infomocracy where much if not most of the internet “news” is rumor, hunch, or attitude masquerading as objective news.

By: William Hamilton

William Hamilton — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:50:11 +0000

I agree with our esteemed Dome editor. The decline in newspaper readership and quality (a chicken and egg question) can’t be good for our democratic institutions. Yes, there are a number of internet outlets. Perhaps too many. There needs to be a good statewide newspaper. The State Journal is a disgrace and may was well close its doors. I think Crains actually does the best reporting of state government and politics. If they just beefed up a little, and perhaps printed local editions, we might have something.

By: Craig Ruff

Craig Ruff — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:38:58 +0000

News without newspapers: how very sad. You are absolutely correct about the grave threat to the critical watchdog role of print journalism.