R.I.P. Orange County Register
The Internet is typically blamed as the primary reason for the accelerating decline of daily newspapers, but I don’t buy that argument. Quality neighborhood news cannot easily be found on the Internet and a newspaper that is staffed by journalists who understand and respect the communities they cover will always be in demand. Sadly, most daily newspapers don’t appreciate their readers’ interests and values, and accordingly, cannot establish, let alone maintain, a connection to their subscribers. Sometimes the disconnection is so egregious it leads to the publication of appallingly offensive articles.
Mark Whicker, a columnist for the Orange County Register, serves as a poster boy for why daily newspapers are dying. His column in question is so asinine that I’d prefer to just link to it, but I note that sample reader responses under the apology he was subsequently forced to issue are considerably more intelligent, thoughtful, and better written than the column itself. That Whicker’s column made it into print speaks volumes about the editorial leadership of the Orange County Register. The newspaper clearly is in need of some adult supervision.
The company that owns the Orange County Register filed for bankruptcy last week but promised there would be no changes to the newsroom’s operations. If that’s the case, The Register deserves to go out of business.
Herewith is Whicker’s commentary:
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/world-won-most-2555260-never-one