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Admittedly, many don't read the TimesDaily because of the paywall; however, it is the largest news publication in the Shoals. It's also a cheerleader of sorts - one rarely reads criticism of mayors, coaches, or street sweepers.
This week, the TD ran an article enumerating the ongoing projects in each Shoals city. How much press did each town receive (at least as displayed on our screen)?
1. Florence had 29 lines, probably due mainly to Andy Betterton's palaver on the subject.
2. Muscle Shoals had 12 lines with Mike Lockhart acting as press agent.
3. Russellville had 13 with David Grissom promoting his town.
4. Sheffield had 1 line. Yes, only one - here it is: Like Muscle Shoals, Sheffield is also working on its comprehensive master plan.
(There's probably another story here on why Tuscumbia wasn't mentioned at all, but we'll return to that later.)
So no one spoke for Sheffield? That would appear to be the case, with the TD merely adding the one mangy line as a sort of after thought. About that master plan...are potholes included?
Shoalanda, please do not take this as a criticism of your "take" on the style in which the Times Daily cover local governments. You write: " It's also a cheerleader of sorts - one rarely reads criticism of mayors, coaches, or street sweepers." A cheerleader OF SORTS? When is the last time you can recall reading any type of in depth reporting on anything that any of the city leaders had proposed to pass or action already taken that was in the least bit critical? Or even objective for that matter? No, it is sad that this area has it's own version of a city government media propaganda machine. There are many reasons for this but the most frequent running joke I hear is an
ReplyDelete"investigative report" by the Times Daily newsroom is when the reporter actually picks up the phone instead of letting it go to voicemail. In the case of the TD, the "death of a local newspaper" should be ruled a suicide.
The voicemail joke is priceless.
DeleteWhere is the Shoals Chamber of Commerce and its Canadian 'Nashville-bound Star' in all this?
ReplyDelete