Still no coverage of the Escambia County firefighters in the daily newspaper. Remember this is news medium that has the largest market penetration into greater Pensacola area, according to their media kits. Yet nothing on state Fire Marshall investigation, Clerk of Courts’ audit or the county’s fire advisory committee.
I realize that they didn’t discover this story first – we did – but their older readers – who may not pick up the IN or read us online – should know what is going on.
Front Porch/Thelma Manley (a good investigation on their part) dominated the daily newspaper for six days (from March 18-March 27). All the other news media – WUWF, WEAR and IN – also covered the story.
Front Porch is a small government program that had little impact countywide and didn’t involve much money. No lives were at risk. County fire protection impacts thousands of lives and has $11 million budget.
The daily newspaper needs to cover this story – take a different angle, if need be – but their readers should know what’s going on with the firefighters.
Why do I care? Because I care about this community. The IN is small – I don’t have the resources of Gannett or WEAR – We can’t devote someone full time to a story for more than a few days. Duwayne has to move on to the next issue. There is more that can be written on this issue. Just as the IN and WEAR reported more on the Front Porch issue than Michael Stewart wrote in the PNJ – the daily can add more to this news story.
This is how we better serve the public….and become better news media.