I really love the piece from Teddy Roosevelt’s that’s been bandied about on the internet quite liberally over the past few years…
“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”
I think I quoted it early on in one of the Captain’s Logs as we were flailing around trying to figure out what and how we were doing this thing called local journalism. It has served us well as a reminder that what we are doing matters and how we do it – with a deep sense of responsibility, humility, and transparency, really is the key to making it work.
There have been some slings and arrows this past week – back-to-back and somewhat relentless, pushing on us about stories we’re doing and stories we aren’t doing. More likely than not if we aren’t covering something it’s because we don’t know about it, so we appreciate the heads up when we get them.
Sometimes we get a story lead and in the course of our investigation we find that what was presented wasn’t the whole story and when we dig and ask and dig and push really hard to get public information, we find a completely different story altogether. We are really glad that we have learned to slow down a bit and take our time and keep digging when we don’t get all the answers. We used to be a lot more trusting and would take it as truth when someone told us, “That’s all there is.”
It has been a sad lesson for us and one we haven’t wanted to face, that people we looked to as unquestionable have turned out in fact to be – just people. Normal people with normal weaknesses. Which means we have learned to not take things at face-value. We’re all just doing the best we can and sometimes our best is a little short.
We are grateful for the opportunity to tell the stories of this community. As trite as it is “to shine a light in dark places.” Sometimes when we look in with our flashlight or bring in a massive shop light, there is only a spec of dust in the corner.
Sometimes it is a bear, and it’s our job to tell the community to run.
But the most important thing that’s come of this for me is, we have never, and we will never tell or not tell stories “To sell papers.” We are in the information business. The business of democracy. Our mission in life is to provide the information a community needs to function and function well.
While I would love to drive a beautiful, red Cadillac one day, this local, community newspaper is not how I will make that happen. This project was never about the money, as our dedicated, poorly paid team will tell you. This is about strengthening our bond as a community. Our commitment to this social contract that holds us together in Churchill County.
So while we keep digging, know that we will always listen, we are grateful for ALL the feedback, and we will be right here…
…Keeping you Posted.
Rach
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