At Salem Reporter, we’re lucky to have committed advisers.
More than 700, in fact.
The count of people responding to the Salem Reporter News Survey last month reached 742.
In recent days, we’ve considered what readers told us was important in local news to them, what more we should cover, and how we can improve Salem Reporter.
People left us thoughtful remarks. Even the critical ones are invaluable to us.
Here’s what these voices of Salem made clear.
By overwhelming numbers (90 percent or more), people think it’s important for Salem Reporter to hold public officials accountable – and to contest government secrecy.
By large numbers, people wanted our help participating in government.
One reader asked for more on “how, when and to whom to express your opinion on policy decisions” while another asked for “information on how an individual could help make things better.”
With that, you can expect Salem Reporter to more frequently share how you can submit testimony to bodies such as the Salem City Council, the Salem-Keizer School Board and more. We hope to share tips on how to make such testimony effective.
On news topics, the interests were clear.
Coverage of city government was the highest-rated one.
Readers also indicated high interest in local events, crime prevention, housing, local medical care and local schools.
The range of topics people would like us to cover reflects the diversity of Salem. Among the suggestions: “Environmental actions,” “Safety for pedestrians and cyclists,” “Lower class struggles and how to help raise others out of poverty” and “The finances of nonprofits like Salem Hospital, the United Way, Church at the Park.”
So, let me take you a little deeper into a few of our findings.
On events, a sampling of comments:
•“Give us a monthly calendar of events so we can easily see what’s coming up.”
•”Be more of a resource for local events. The ‘go to’ place for how to find out what is happening in Salem
“Continue supporting the diversity by writing about things that affect everyone.”
Our plan: Our team is evaluating how to deepen our coverage. If you have ideas and want your organization’s events considered, send an email to Managing Editor Rachel Alexander ([email protected]). We added “Events” to our top-of-the-page banner on our home page, making it easier to find the events reporting we already provide.
On solutions, a sampling of comments:
•”I like that you sometimes provide a solution, not just the problem.”
• “I would love to learn more about people in the community who are seeking solutions in innovative ways.”
Our plan: With our expanded staff, we will redouble our efforts to report on solutions to community issues. That may mean reporting on how other communities have successfully handled an issue confronting Salem.
On Town Halls, a sampling of comments:
•”I think the forums that you have sponsored at places like the Elsinore and your reporting on them and especially providing the content in print or YouTube for people who couldn’t attend are vitally important.”
•”The fact that you include the community in engaging in the sharing of info, such as the public forums you have made available to everyone, is impressive.”
Our plan: Clearly, community gatherings are important in Salem. More than 300 people attended the recent debate. We intend to regularly convene Town Halls. But we also are considering something like “Coffee’s on Us,” an open session for you to come talk to us. We would go around the city to host these.
We took our lumps, too. Here’s a sampling:
•“Occasionally articles seem to lack depth or even need a bit more editing. Since you’re not having to meet a print deadline I’d like to see more care.”
•”Get an editor. Spelling and grammar count.”
•”Fact check your reporting on marginalized communities and actually listen and take accountability for inaccuracies when they are provided for you.”
•Get better at the technology. I still don’t understand why I have to log in sometimes to read the emails I get in my email in-box.”
Our plan: As a team, we discussed the need for sharper eyes on copy to avoid the typos and grammar missteps that detract from our work. As for logins, our technical team jumped on that and engineered a solution that we deployed last week.
To our surprise, though, we had dozens and dozens of readers write of their appreciation of the work Salem Reporter already does. A sampling of such comments:
•”I think you all are doing a great job.”
•”I’m impressed with all you do. Such a community resource!”
•”I use Salem Reporter as a place to stay informed on what is going on and how I can get involved or provide input to the appropriate places.”
•”Instead of recommending an improvement I’d instead like to just say that I appreciate the fact the Salem Reporter reports the facts without any biased wording.”
•”I admire the integrity, balance, and fairness in your reporting.”
•”Keep it up, I love SR!”
Our plan: We always pause and appreciate every such comment. Journalism can be a tough profession these days.
A few readers also encouraged us to do what it takes to add even more staff. Boy, would we love to do that! But we want to build a sustainable business as well as a trusted journalism resource.
A couple of readers want us to drop the paywall and give away our work. That’s not a real option, but one reader thought it could be: “The paywalls and journalism are the single most preventable barrier to democracy. Throw a fundraiser, run ads, sell t-shirts.”
We do sell ads (though it’s pretty low-key marketing on that front) and we’re too busy covering news to conduct fundraisers.
But T-shirts?
We’re not designers, either, but I bet there are those out in the community who could dream up a great Salem Reporter T-shirt. Maybe we should have a contest. What do you think?
In the end, the survey provides us meaningful feedback to guide our work. We value hearing from readers like you – whether it’s at a Town Hall, by email or surveys.
To our 700-plus advisers, thank you. You have had a hand in making Salem Reporter better, stronger and more attuned to the community’s needs.
Contact Editor Les Zaitz: [email protected].
STORY TIP OR IDEA? Send an email to Salem Reporter’s news team: [email protected].
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Les Zaitz is editor and CEO of Salem Reporter. He co-founded the news organization in 2018. He has been a journalist in Oregon for nearly 50 years in both daily and community newspapers and digital news services. He is nationally recognized for his commitment to local journalism. He also is editor and publisher of the Malheur Enterprise in Vale, Oregon.
