from the editor ...

Diana Smith Reed Brennan Media Associates, Orlando, Fla. Chair, The American Editor Committee

BRRR. IN FLORIDA, WE’RE SHIVERING THROUGH THE COLDEST WINTER IN QUITE A FEW YEARS. (What’s that? No sympathy from our northern neighbors?) The city of Frostproof, Fla., actually froze, not once, but twice in 2009. Seems to be an ominous sign, or at the least, false advertising. 

The newspaper industry also has weathered one economic blow after another and is struggling through deep drifts now, but as Pearl S. Buck observed, “We must have hope or starve to death.”

So, shaking off the heavy blanket of reality, we bring you a winter issue that focuses not on what newspapers are today, but what we think and hope they will become in the future.

That’s no more evident than in Saundra Keyes’ cover story, a survey of editors that describes how they are struggling with readers’ forums. Check out Mike Reed’s original artwork on the cover and accompanying the article. Reed, an award-winning illustrator from Minneapolis, keeps his finger on the pulse of e-flamers at www.flamewarriors.com.

Kurt Greenbaum also weighs in on the pros of reader comments and gives suggestions about cool software tools, while Kevin Goldberg looks at recent legal cases and where newspapers’ responsibilities lie.

ASNE president Charlotte Hall explains proposed changes to ASNE bylaws that will be up for a vote in April.

The magazine also examines why newspaper editors are talking about dropping The Associated Press service. More than 100 newspapers have given cancellation notice and are looking elsewhere for content. Also, we take a look at how the OHNO exchange is faring and alternatives to AP content.

Warren Watson interviews John Yemma, editor of The Christian Science Monitor, which soon will become the first major newspaper to abandon a daily print format and go online. 

Edward Miller advises editors what they can do to be flexible and still retain good workers in times of downsizing, while Jody Calendar reviews how the Detroit newspapers and others are changing. 

Mark Mahoney explains how Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave editorial writers an inadvertent compliment.

ASNE’s Freedom of Information Committee has launched a multi-year effort to turn more government documents into public records. The first phase of the Data on Demand project aims at the upcoming Sunshine Week, March 15-21.

And Matt Erickson finishes with newspaper images from President Barack Obama’s historic inauguration.

As always, your comments and questions are welcome. *