Don't ignore good news

As pointed out in this article, newspapers continually shoot themselves in the foot by printing all of the woeful news about newspaper readership and circulation. Readers and advertisers see these articles, too. This must leave a negative impression on them, at least subconsciously. I'm not saying don't print these stories--but print the good news about newspapers, too. Continue to print stories about awards received and honors bestowed. Laud your reporters' efforts. Praise the enterprising works of newspapers across the country. Most importantly, print the truth about newspapers--the fact that total audience is going up when online readership is included with print readership. Check out NAA's work in this area.

Let's not forget the good news in our communities either. Newspapers often get caught up in their daily coverage of crime, malfeasance, obstacles, challenges and things that are wrong that they paint a very negative picture of their market area. Of course there are good news stories in the paper, but they are often buried or positioned so poorly next to more "newsworthy"-but-negative news items. Perhaps newspapers need to dedicate space on the front-page every day or week to spotlight the positive things going on around them. Readers will feel a little bit better about the paper when the gloom is tempered with some feel-good stories.