by: Becky Taylor
editor: Kate Parham
“Covers Dixie like the dew,” was the slogan of the Atlanta Journal.
That could have applied to the paper’s distribution as people in all corners of Georgia could purchase a printed copy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Beginning in 2007, the paper began eliminating areas of the state from their distribution zone. Daily papers in Georgia that always had the Journal-Constitution as a companion were now alone in reporting news in a daily printed format.
The Valdosta Daily Times has made no changes in the way it handles the news.
Within months, the paper not only saw the Atlanta Journal-Constitution rescind its distribution, but the area also lost access to the printed version of Jacksonville-based The Florida Times-Union (which sold under the title of The Georgia Times-Union north of the state line).
“We’ve continued on what we were doing,” said Sandy Sanders, publisher of the paper.
He said they have attempted to cover the local area better.
The Valdosta Daily Times has a circulation of 18,000 on weekdays and 19,000 on Sunday.
Sanders said he has not noticed any effects of the loss of both publications other than that they “may have picked up some single copy sales.”
George McCanless, publisher of The Macon Telegraph, has experienced one direct effect of the loss of the printed Journal-Constitution from his area.
The Telegraph received business from the Journal-Constitution by acting as a carrier of the paper.
McCanless said the paper has not attempted to expand its coverage area or its distribution. The Telegraph covers seven middle Georgia counties and delivers papers to 23. The paper’s circulation is 50,000 daily and 65,000 on Sundays.
The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer falls between the Valdosta Daily Times and The Macon Telegraph in circulation numbers. Daily, it is about 35,000 and 40,000 on Sundays. Senior editor for news Dimon Kendrick-Holmes said the numbers were smaller than they had been in the past.
He said the Ledger-Enquirer covers the Chattahoochee Valley area which includes such areas as Harris County, Ga., and Russell County, Ala.
Holmes-Kendrick said the Ledger-Enquirer’s goal was to reach more citizens in the area who were now looking for a daily newspaper with the loss of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But there is a contradiction.
Holmes-Kendrick said The Ledger-Enquirer is expanding their coverage into the LaGrange/Troup County area. At the same time, he said the distribution area was smaller. Print copies of the paper are distributed in a 30-40 mile radius from the city of Columbus. Previously, the radius had been 100-150 miles.
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After speaking with Becky, I learned that she is an enxious writer, especially when her sources don't come through. That said, she's also a very fast writer who works from no kind of plan or outline and takes little notes. In fact, about 90 percent of Becky's notes end up in her story. She does have to work from her lead and perfect it before she can movie on to writing any other part of her story. However, after that, she doens't revise much. The interviews are the hardest part for Becky, but the notes are the easiest. Her favorite part about this story was the Columbus interview, where she was basically offered a job after graduation. Her least favorite part was an interview that she couldn't use. She knows that she needs to fill the story out more because it's too short right now.
ReplyDeleteBecky's lead is awesome and I wouldn't change anything about it. I do think it would be good for her to interview a local paper or a resident who was been affected by the AJC's distrubution reductions.
Becky's story, in my opinion, lacked a clear focus. She needs to decide what the real story is then go in that direction, because right now there's basically two stories. She had some great numbers and statistics, but they weren't in context so I question why readers would care. The story definitely has potential.
Nice story Becky, and great editing Kate. I love the lead, and your sources were outstanding. I do like the idea of talking to someone from Athens. Hopefully you will find they will compliment what the woman from the Ledger-Inquirer said.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I'm very impressed with both of you!