Fond farewell
• Interim Editor Tony Scott bids farewell.
WITH due respect to Frank Sinatra … now the end is near and so I write my final edition … It’s been an interesting ride, albeit a little longer than originally volunteered for.
Taking over the editor’s role in March presented an opportunity to complete the loop of my working career, largely spent as a journalist in electronic media, but started in print.
From growing up in a small North West community I was imbued with a respect for the local country paper and am pleased to have worked on the “best still being published” – that’s according to another old editor.
It might not be the vital organs of a community, but the newspaper does represent the conscience of the society it serves and we can only guess about an untidy end for a community without conscience.
Taking over the reins for the maternity leave of the usual editor, the main task from my perspective was to get through with people noticing as little change as possible, fashion columns aside.
We have made it without missing a deadline or edition and the readership hasn’t disappeared.
There have been some subtle changes in the design of pages, but that is largely down to a new production manager who coincided her start in the role with my arrival.
Some reckon they have seen more than subtle change in the editorial content and have taken to the letters page to explain their view.
As a journalist I’ve avoided holding firm opinions on most things, but defend the rights of others to express theirs. That goes for readers, all readers, writing of their views (within reason) in letters to the editor.
Taking on the role, quickly gave me a new respect for the previous incumbent in meeting the challenge of filling the pages each week.
I know media can be a hungry beast, but methods of gathering news had changed dramatically since I was last a fixture on an editorial floor.
Once upon a time the phone book used to be a valuable resource … remember them?
Consider me old fashioned, or just old, but the growing reliance by the public on social media channels as the main or only source of news is I think unhealthy.
The algorithms used by those channels quickly establish a user’s interests and filter feeds to what will interest them.
That can only result in views, even if out of step with the norm or reality, becoming further entrenched.
The Advertiser doesn’t do algorithms and an unfiltered source means more balanced news output and readers being exposed to a spectrum of ideas.
My departing entreaty is for you to continue to buy the ‘Tiser in droves and some for your children and their children as well.
Despite its altruism, it’s also a business that needs to be kept viable and it’s good for the conscience yours and the community’s.
I’m handing back the tiller and taking a new course into the sunset, but for the moment not too far over the horizon.
In the words of the Two Ronnies … ‘It’s goodnight from me, and it’s goodnight from him’.-
- Tony Scott