Don’t be surprised if the newspaper, as we know it today, is gone a decade from now.
But before it disappears, let’s give the newspapers that do an exceptional job their due. If you have a favorite local, regional or national newspaper that achieved something noteworthy in at least one area this past year, nominate it for Editor & Publisher’s “10 Newspapers That Do it Right” award.
The annual award spotlights newspapers that have done an oustanding job at things such as sponsoring community events, offering hyperlocal content, covering high school sports or introducing a Groupoin type of “deal of the day” program. Ideas can be for editorial coverage, advertising or circulation campaigns, or anything else you’ve noticed.
Winners will be featured in the magazine’s March 2012 issue. You can see winners from last year. Deadline for nominations is Jan. 24.
Publicity Hounds: If a newspaper you nominate wins, it’s just one more way to build a relationship with a media outlet that might cover you later.
While it might not be a specific achievement, I do appreciate The Boston Globe’s investigative reporting. They’ve been known to uncover scandals involving government officials, illegal activity, and other shady goings on. Without The Boston Globe, many of these things would still be happening without anyone knowing. Without local and regional newspapers, we will lose investigative reporting as we know it!
Jarrod, I think this is an excellent candidate for your nomination. If you do nominate, be very specific and pinpoint exactly which articles you thought were of the greatest service to readers.
Newspaper staffs have been slashing budgets for investigative journalism for many years. So it’s good to see that projects like the ones you are referring to are still alive at some papers.