George Benge is the
executive editor of the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Indiana.
Since this report was published, Benge has become executive
editor of the Asheville (N.C.) Citizen-Times. |
|
— Develop
Skills for Years Ahead
It was a simple question:
What are the advantages editors of smaller newspapers have over people
who edit larger newspapers?
The answers, from a large roomful of small-newspaper editors at a recent
APME convention, were revealing.
These editors said they could:
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Change things faster.
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Create closer, more personal relations with their communities.
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Mobilize faster to cover big stories.
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Know their staffs better.
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Have more fun.
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Get to edit more.
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Get instant feedback from the community.
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Lead staffs that were energetic, motivated, eager and “shapable.”
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Edit for communities that felt more connected to the newspaper.
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Edit for readers willing to help because readers feel “It’s my paper, not
just your paper.”
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Serve more defined communities.
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Can be — and are — more creative.
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Enjoy the underdog’s advantage — trying harder and winning.
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Have more effect on the community.
This was convincing evidence that editing smaller newspapers can be as
gratifying as it is challenging. And the same unique advantages are there
for reporters, copy editors, photographers and designers as well.
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