In “We’ve got you covered”, Sunday News Editor Marvin Adams asserts:
“As the print editor for Lancaster Newspapers, I like digital because it allows this newspaper company (we’re really an information company) to deliver news to you whenever we have it. No waiting for a press to start.
“In Lancaster County, that puts us far ahead of other media. We are Lancaster County’s news source, the lack of modesty intended.”
We are admirers of Adams and his Sunday News, as is evident from the Watchdog critiques. However, Adams is only correct only if he means foremost in reporting Lancaster County news.
When it comes to state, national and international news, NewsLanc reports a day ahead (and often two days) before the Lancaster Newspapers, Inc.’s print editions and usually several hours to half a day ahead of its web sites. Moreover, NewsLanc is far more extensive in its coverage and world wide coverage due to its subscription to (1) an outstanding state wide news service and (2) hours spent daily by its editor and volunteers identifying, excerpting from and linking to important articles and commentary throughout the worldwide media. (NewsLanc starts its day by 6:00 AM, adds breaking news as it occurs, and makes its last posting around 9:00 PM.)
Obviously the Lancaster Newspapers offer far more comprehensive local coverage of news, business, community affairs and sports. Yet it is NewsLanc that has performed extensive investigative reporting on the convention center project, the streetcar proposals, the opaque and self-serving management of Lancaster General Health, the proposed Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority purchase of the Harrisburg incinerator, and numerous other controversial local matters.
NewsLanc does not sell subscriptions or take advertising and has a secure budget. In ways this works to NewsLanc’s advantage in providing fuller coverage because, as a strictly educational entitity, it enjoys greater access to the reporting of others. Moreover, it does not have to tip toe lest it offend advertisers and the local establishment.
NewsLanc’s publisher believes that a viable for profit Internet strategy would be a group of individual web sites serving all of the cities between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh markets with a single owner and sharing among the sites all but the most local news. Such an enterprise would offer national advertisers a unique opportunity to reach the balance of the Pennsylvania market place. Upon the future demise of print publications, it is unlikely that Lancasteronline.com or other mid-state city specific news sites could long compete.
EDITOR: On reflection we have largely re-written the above article. We apologize for the earlier version which contained aspects that were unfair. It is a mistake to blame current management of the Lancaster Newspapers for the blatant wrongs of a decade ago. We believe they are trying to do better.
I can only hope that someone soon eats Marv’s lunch….along with everybody else at LNP. They do very little investigative reporting (Murders in Lancaster??? Street car debacle??? Convention Center albatross???0, they only focus and report on what THEY deem is newsworthy, and even then it is only from the view (their’s) that they want us to know about. NewsLanc, Lancaster Independent Press and USA today do a better job of keeping me informed.
Keep up the EXCELLENT work!!!!
Oh my, Robert. Did you expand the “newsroom” to accomodate your inflated ego? That you mention your competition says you envy them.
EDITOR: Yes and no. I would like to be in their position to help create transparency and further good decisions for Lancaster. I would not want to be in the position of running a business that has dismal mid-term prospects.