Guild Staff, Management Parlay
in First Newsroom Forum

by Phil Fairbanks
Vice President

We’re giving new emphasis and attention to local stories that truly matter. We’re also trumpeting stories that aren’t worth trumpeting.
Those are just two of the comments from newsroom staffers about changes to the front page of The Buffalo News.
The first Newsroom Forum, attended by 19 reporters and editors, resulted in a constructive debate about the "focus" and "play" stories that now dominate page one.
While everyone likes the concept of a strong, local story featured on the front page each day, some people think the strategy sometimes fails.
"We’ve had as many misses as we have hits,"" said one participant. "We’re shouting when we don't have anything to shout about." Newsroom managers agreed.
They also hope to change that by giving reporters and editors a goal to strive for and, ultimately, producing high quality stories every day of the week.
Managing Editor Margaret M. Sullivan outlined a list of what she looks for in a front page focus story. They include good writing, a local news angle and information people may find startling.
Several people touched on how the changes sometimes hurts the play of national and international news.
"I don’t want to give national and international news short shrift," said one participant.
The forum, a joint Guild-News endeavor, is designed to give employees a greater voice in the newspaper.
The forum will be held every two months.