Well, Ollie, here’s another fine mess, friends and neighbors are saying. Why on earth is the Star-Telegram’s editorial page a half-page now and running above the weather package in the A section?
Well, the weather and opinion are strange bedfellows, and the situation certainly invites references to things like winds of change, business climate and fog alerts.
My guess: Looks odd, but it’s less expensive, and it may be small price to pay to keep a vital function. Among other things, the move apparently cuts in half the space needed for the daily edit/op-ed package. Instead of taking 12 columns of space in the form of two full, facing pages daily at the back of the B section, the daily package now requires 6. Running atop the weather package, the editorial package uses 3 columns that were there anyway. All that’s required is to add a facing open page, but that can be tricky. Adding an open page affects press configuration and space for news content and involves other factors.
Once upon a time, saving a page of space could add up to about $100,000 a year in savings. I don't know what such a move would save these days, but it would net real savings that could mean the difference in keeping a staff position.
Bottom line is that the editorial heart and voice of the daily and Sunday editorial/op-ed package are preserved and will of necessity focus more on local issues.
Those are good things. But the most important signal the move sends is the paper’s refusal to give up its institutional leadership role in holding government accountable, helping to set the public agenda and providing a forum for readers.
The day that ends is the day that I’ll give up on the paper.
That day hasn't dawned and isn’t likely to.
Comments