Oh, are we in trouble!

Hawaii’s “Best Journalist”, according to the Star-Advertiser’s Hawaii’s Best poll…blogger Catherine Toth.

Second Place: KHON weather guy Justin Cruz.

Oh, my.

Then there are the changes being announced by the Star-Advertiser.

We’ve already heard that the comics have been expanded. Today its the bridge column, even more comics, “a new comics lineup, printed larger.”

Changes in fonts and color.

Not a moment too soon.

A note from editor Frank Bridgewater on today’s front page promises expanded coverage of “new areas”. I will not hold my breath, but would welcome being surprised.

On a positive front, Gordon Pang will start work tomorrow as the new police beat reporter. Congratulations to Gordon.


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37 thoughts on “Oh, are we in trouble!

  1. charles

    I suppose the question, then, is will this “Best of” show up next June?

    @hipoli, I do agree with you about DePledge. In my opinion, his blog was the best in terms of insights, substance and tone.

    Oh, and at my ancient age, two-timing women are more than fine. I’m happy if they’re just breathing. 😉

    Reply
  2. Pat

    I can quickly scan the news, read what interests and ignore the rest. It is unfortunate that World News and particularly Middle East/ Holy Land reporting is so limited and slanted. The misinformation continues. I am glad for the internet which provides a broader perspective.

    Reply
  3. Bias Shows

    Funny….The Advertiser has been doing the “best of” for YEARS with much of the same type of results that seem silly to some and meaningful to others and so has the SB. But only now does Ian and the rest of his choir members call out the paper on the “results”…..hmmmm…

    Reply
    1. Ian Lind Post author

      All I’m saying is that if these “best of” results reflect the public view of journalism, then, in my opinion, we really are in deep trouble. While we’re worried about public affairs and investigative reporting, this poll seems to put something very different at the top of the priority list. That, in my book, spells trouble ahead.

      Reply
  4. Congratulations Gordon!

    Spot on, Ian! The industry’s downturn is far from over, partly because of the audience, partly because of the competition, partly because of the performers.

    Reply
  5. Just Not Gettin It

    Ian,

    I have to agree with Bias, what you don’t seem to be able to grasp is the “reader poll” has nothing to do with “journalism”. “Journalism” is only half the paper, the other half is for entertainment and advertising information. They don’t pick on your public affairs/investigative stories so let them enjoy their half in peace. By the way, I’m sure Zippy’s sells more bentos than all others combined so why would that not make them the best?? Picky picky picky….

    Reply
    1. Ian Lind Post author

      The readers poll certainly does have something to do with journalism when readers are specifically asked to choose the best journalists. The category was “journalist” in the poll. That’s what I’m referring to, not the whole effort. The category apparently reflects what the readers who responded thought constitutes the best journalism. What’s so hard to get about that specific point?

      Reply
  6. Lora Williams

    All,

    Having been a part of the team when the SB became independent a few years ago, I can personally attest to the long hours, stress, commitment to the best job possible – and having to wait to see fruition. I can only imagine how much that has increased with the merging of two staffs.

    There are many driving forces you may not know about. I have my own likes and dislikes, too. On the positive side, I was really happy to see Vicki Viotti’s piece yesterday (6/20) about how politicians are getting around campaign law.

    Also, since they have merged two companies, you will see the vestiges of same, such as the reader’s poll. It’s light, fun and great for revenue generation. Certainly, there are categories they might want to rethink in years to come.

    With Aloha,

    Lora

    Reply
  7. Rock

    Another interesting result from the “Hawaii’s Best” poll: the best chiropractor Kitts and the best optometrist Endo are both tenants of Newtown Square in Aiea, just a few doors down from each other. Is this just a huge coincidence or more evidence that this whole contest is JUICED? Ian, maybe you can look into this. Do both Kitts and Endo share the same account rep at the Star-Adv? Can you get a look at the raw data on the voting? If this contest is biased and totally inaccurate as to true local sentiments, the process should be exposed!

    Reply
  8. damon

    “…The category apparently reflects what the readers who responded thought constitutes the best journalism. What’s so hard to get about that specific point?”…”

    It’s a twitter world Ian. I’d love to tweet out the above… but it’s more then 140 characters 😉

    Reply
  9. Nahoaloha

    It’s a self- selected sample. Most of those who take journalism at all seriously realized it was an advertising gimmick and stayed away. That would be my guess.

    Reply
  10. Congratulations Gordon!

    And the percentage of the US population that takes journalism seriously has been dwindling.
    Apathy abounds in this age, and apathy breeds long-term problems. Tiser and Bulletin leaders do not share all of the blame for this, but they share some of it.

    Reply

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