Salem Reporter’s Sunday newsletter
Good morning!
Before we get to the headlines, let me share something about our work.
Getting you news that you can trust is essential to me.
I understand that it’s a waste to put facts in your hands if you doubt or disbelieve them.
That’s why I took time last week to join newsroom leaders around the country. We gathered online to prepare for bringing on new reporters through Report for America (Salem Reporter gets two).
The session was led by a national leader I’ve known for some time. Joy Mayer is the energetic face of an organization called Trusting News.
Mayer and her team help news organizations examine their practices. She promotes transparency in our work. She urges humility. She teaches how to build trust.
Trusting News doesn’t shy from a blunt assessment of today’s journalism, and I agree.
“People aren’t getting what they need from the news. Many people feel left out of and disrespected by news coverage and don’t trust journalists to inform them or to facilitate conversations,” Trusting News explains on its website. “They’re also unprepared to navigate a chaotic media environment and separate responsible journalism from misinformation.”
Trusting News says this isn’t just about journalists. It’s about people like you and what you need.
“All people should have access to – and be able to identify – journalism that is responsive to their needs, equips them to navigate their communities, and reflects their diverse priorities and values. In a world in which news consumers are confused and exhausted by information, responsible journalists should be transparent and proactive about why they are worthy of trust,” the organization says.
The entire team at Salem Reporter takes that charge seriously.
Just last week, one reporter prepared a sensitive story for publication. I tasked another reporter who had no role in the story to take a look. The assignment: Look at the story cold and ensure it appears fair.
One result of my connection to Joy Mayer for years is that Salem Reporter shares its principles publicly. They also hang, poster size, in a prominent place in our newsroom.
We strive every day to earn your trust. We do so with careful attention to accuracy, with a drive to be inclusive and fair. When we stumble, we correct and consider and improve.
I wonder what you think.
What helps you trust a news source?
What practices in journalism concern you?
What would you like to see more in our stories about how we gathered the information?
If you have a moment, send along an email sharing your views – [email protected].
Now, what did we work on last week?
Salem officials made a big splash earlier this year when they rolled out a new team. The three-person squad hit the streets to try a new approach on homelessness.
Reporter Madeleine Moore, who covers public safety, decided to get beyond the press releases and photo ops.
The result is a revealing story:
Maddy spent hours over two days out with the team. They trusted her to preserve the privacy of people in crisis. They were candid with her about why they do the work and what they hope to accomplish.
Her reporting also sent her deep into government reports and data.
EMT Amanda Palmer uses the radio inside of the REACH Team’s vehicle. (HAILEY COOK/Salem Reporter)
Such work takes time. It takes care. But it’s the only way we can deliver a report to you that matters. Homelessness is a big issue in Salem. Too often, it seems like no progress is being made. Maddy’s deeply reported story shows that, indeed, steps to improvement are underway in our town.
Last week, we also launched our annual series of profiles about graduating seniors at local high schools. This is a highlight of the year for our reporting team. I hope the uplifting stories are a highlight for you too. There is reason for optimism in our community and country when you read about these young people:
*Meet Isaac Reynolds of McKay High School. As senior reporter Abbey McDonald reports: “Reynolds served as the marching band’s drum captain, and is a member of the school’s top wind ensemble, percussion ensemble and symphony orchestra. He’s also a section leader in concert choir.”
*Meet Yaradicxa “Yara” Ramos Adame of North Salem High School. The school’s theater director: “Having somebody like Yara who understands dance and is not afraid to move and not afraid to teach peers … Nobody else could have done what Yara’s been doing as a dance captain.”
*Meet Isabella Morrow of Sprague High School. As reporter Madeleine Moore reported: “Morrow has been involved in student leadership since her freshman year at Sprague, when she was in Trammell’s leadership training class. She was class president sophomore year, and again in junior year, when she also helped lead a school mentorship program and running events.”
Watch for more such profiles in the coming days.
In other Salem news:
*The Salem City Council moves to beef up security at public meetings.
*A student jazz combo at West Salem High School brings home a state championship.
*Officials are dealing with allegations about the residency of Betsy Vega, a candidate leading in the race for the city council seat representing east Salem.
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
JOIN IN: Salem Reporter News Fund
Salem Reporter is preparing to ask tough questions about the education of 38,000 children in our local school system.
The $1 billion a year spent on Salem-Keizer schools each year is a mystery to many people. Where does that money go? What does it buy? What results is the community seeing?
That’s why we’re bringing on two nationally-recruited reporters in July.
This is a big deal for the community.
If you want to support this work, contribute now to the Salem Reporter News Fund.
The national nonprofit Report for America, is funding part of this reporting position. We’re asking readers like you to help fund this ambitious effort.
You can contribute in several ways:
• Donate securely online in just a few moments.
• Write a check (Salem Reporter, 494 State St., #410 Salem OR 97301 — note News Fund on your check).
• Make a Qualified Charitable Distribution through your IRA custodian (details are on the News Fund page).
When you contribute, you join other Salem readers making this reporting possible. Scores of your neighbors have already stepped forward to support deeper coverage of our schools.
Copyright © 2025 Salem Reporter. All rights reserved. |
Our mailing address is: 494 State St., #410 • Salem, Oregon 97301 |
You are receiving this email because you signed up through our website or participated in a promotion. |