Dearest Readers:
The good old days of the press in Annapolis are past. Jonas Green's type setting in the front room on Charles Street. After his untimely death, his wife Kathy's efforts to maintain and stabilize the ship. The Gazette was a lively publication that bound Annapolis with the scatterings of knowledge in the Atlantic world.
Yet the current crew of the The Capital, nee Gazette, are lost at sea.They have a story line they will not deviate from: Crime in North County. Political shenanigans in Annapolis. African Americans who create social unrest. Women who are unfit to lead.
They hate her. They hate him. And, ultimately, they hate you.Aided by incessant turnover of staff, the current crew might be 12 months thick. Reporter Josh Stewart, with a shallow knowledge of Annapolis, sees only what he is told to see. And then some. Eric Hartley cannot compensate in intellect for his grafted attitudes. They have created no network of sources or trust with those they 'interview'.
And then comes columnist and hate blogger Paul Foer. Need we say more?
They want transparency, but do nothing to create it. Closed meetings of the City Council don't deserve a notice from them. And the attempts of Former CAO Doug Smith to create a shadow government this spring never received even a note.
They are against self dealing - but this last week printed a screed from Trudy McFall advocating privatizing public housing. Ehhh, and who would have the most to gain from said privatization? Perhaps the President of Homes for America, Ms. Trudy herself?
The newspaper is now published by Mr. Tom Marquardt. Of the Eastern Shore. Not a resident of Annapolis. Or even Anne Arundel County.Bully for him. I won't want to live in the mess he has created either.
Former Mayor Ellen Moyer returned from a tour of the US this Spring with one singular impression. The local papers she saw were not negative and bound up trying to make enemies and vilify their own communities, neighbors and readers.
In the longer run The Capital and its current owner, Landmark, have a problem. The market for hate mongering and fear is finite. Conservative white males 50+ that live in the County are getting older. And may still buy papers. But not forever.
The current staff will have moved on. Tom Marquardt will have wisely moved out of state. And The Capital itself will become another relic of the Ancient Citte.
King of George
The King is pitching a no hitter ! Go KOG go!
ReplyDeleteThe same old story is easy to write and you don't have to pay or think very much to have it written. It is part of the business plan.
ReplyDeleteWe should all boycott The Capital until Marquart is gone forever. He is a hateful bigot.
ReplyDeleteA boycott would be a good thing and teach them a lesson they won't soon forget.
ReplyDeleteIt is easy to call names but can you tell the truth?
ReplyDeleteThe Capital is a catering to those they advertise to. They do not care about Annapolis.
ReplyDeleteYour Majesty, I'd humbly like to request an audience. kstewart@annapolissound.com
ReplyDeleteDear Kyle:
ReplyDeleteThe King has begun his summer royal progress today. But you may contact him at: kingofgeorge1695@yahoo.com
Emails won't be checked often.
King of George
God save the King. That being said, if you read Hartley's blog, the comment he makes are not the same old pablum one finds in the rest of the paper, in fact some of it was so good i think he night join the likes of Annapolissound and the ball breakers.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the same old story line is changing and the realities are becoming apparent even to the intransigent, thick and conservative.
ReplyDeleteI heard they are getting some of the staff reporters fron the ranks of the local highschool work-study program.
ReplyDelete