Good morning and thanks for dropping by.
In today’s environment, labels get tossed around pretty freely – “radical leftist,” “right winger,” “terrorist.”
No one has accused Salem Reporter of being a terrorist organization, but there have been complaints that we’re either left leaning or right wing.
That we get accused of both should tell you: We are neither.
Our team operates under principles that we share publicly on our website. We care about facts and getting as close to the truth as possible. We don’t claim to be perfect, but we simply try to report matters with a commitment to fairness and accuracy.
Allow me to share a few of Salem Reporter’s principles. You can hold us to these.
Citizenship: We don’t consider ourselves distant observers. We take pride in the community – its people, institutions, and traditions. We engage in issues that matter. We identify problems, but we will always seek solutions as well. Like you, we want our community to improve, to be welcoming and safe, to be economically vibrant.
Without Fear: Our reporting can and will put us at odds with people who hold power or those who can and do abuse the public in some fashion. We will pursue difficult stories because they are important stories. We will not be scared off or intimidated from doing any necessary story – ever.
Without Favor: We owe allegiance only to you, our reader. Our work is not done in service to any special interest. We are beholden to no party, no business, no individual, and seek no special treatment from any. We are beholden only to the truth.
Trust: The most valuable possession of our team is your trust. We know we can’t exist without it, that we will not otherwise succeed as a business and as a news organization. We are relentless in earning and keeping that trust.
Moving on to the news, City Hall generated a lot in recent days:
•The Salem City Council is committing public funds in yet another effort to lure an airline company to town.
•Krishna Namburi gets a shorter title, dropping “interim.” She has the job of city manager permanently now.
•The city is fielding more resources to address issues downtown, for now turning aside an offer of money from Salem’s business community.
•In an extraordinary event, a former Salem mayor faced Mayor Julie Hoy at a public meeting, calling on her to resign over ethics issues.
•One city neighborhood association is planning a cleanup of Marion Square Park. Another is hosting the new municipal judge. The details are in our monthly roundup of association news.
In our community news:
•The Cherriots board is going to sit down with business leaders and citizens to map a new path ahead for a possible payroll tax.
•The local radio station affiliated with Salem’s Mano a Mano is now going 24 hours a day. Radio Poder, the Spanish-language station, obtained a broader license.
•We had our team photographing two cultural celebrations in Salem recently – for Indigenous Peoples’ Day and Hispanic Heritage Day.
In public safety reporting:
•Immigration arrests in recent days prompted local school officials to remind the staff and the community on their safety procedures.
•A brutal assault of a Salem woman by a stranger resulted in his long sentence to prison.
•Mail thefts continue to plague Salem and one woman’s recent conviction reveals the extent of the thievery.
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TRAINING AND MORE TRAINING
Reporter Abbey McDonald recently spent several days in the nation’s capital, learning how to sort out federal changes that impact Salem. Abbey shared her experience and some video clips in her column about the trip. You’ll see the results in our reporting soon.
One reader sent Abbey this note: “I watched the clips you posted and was very impressed by your questions and the responses from the panelists. Great job!! You and Salem Reporter are appreciated. Keep up the good fight!”
Such training for our staff is key to always improving Salem Reporter. This weekend, Abbey was joined by reporters Hailey Cook and Madeleine Moore for a day of specialized training at the University of Oregon. The training day was organized by Oregon SPJ – Society of Professional Journalists.
ON THE AIR – SORT OF
We’re continuing to test ways to share our information in more channels. You saw the results this week.
Reporter Joe Siess did a short video explaining the ethics controversy that ensnared most of the Salem City Council. We plan to do more of these quick videos and your comments on this approach are welcome.
And Managing Editor Rachel Alexander spent a few moments to appear in a Youtube video for “Salem Coffee Break” with a quick look at recent news. The online program is one of the efforts of Jacob Espinoza and his What’s Happening Salem to deepen news about the community. Share your thoughts about this.
HAVE A COMMENT? SUGGESTION?
Have thoughts about our reporting? A story we should do? A person we should profile? Or do you have questions about how we do our work? You’re welcome to send me an email – I read every one of them. Email: [email protected].
–Les Zaitz, Editor and owner
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