Reader Survey Says…
The weekly readers of the Lamont Leader were recently asked to fill out a survey regarding the integrity of the reporting of the local newspaper. Here are the results of the survey:
1) The journalism creed is to cover news without fear or favour. Our goal is to follow this conviction.
When thinking about local political news from our county, towns and villages, police or education system, do you feel the Leader presents the news as it happened without fear of municipal retribution or without favouring one area over another?
• Yes 85.3%
• No 14.3%
2) The Lamont Leader, though located in the town of Lamont, has always strived to be fair to all towns and villages in Lamont County.
Thinking about local coverage, and keeping in mind some towns are larger than others so have more activity, do you feel the Lamont Leader is fair when covering news from place to place?
• Yes 92.9%
• No 7.1%
3) Often the squeaky wheel gets the grease, in other words some people, councillors, teachers, etc. get hold of The Leader more often than others with story ideas. Even so, we always try to get the other side of the story as well.
When thinking of Lamont Leader stories, do you feel we do a good job of presenting both sides of the story to readers and then let them decide?
• Yes 85%
• No 15%
4) Our opinion page is separate from the news in the Leader, in that it is the only page other than Hazel Anaka’s column that presents an opinion. The remainder of the Leader is news as it happened. John Mather’s editorial is generally his way of thinking when it comes to mostly national news that affects us all as Canadians.
When thinking of the Editorial, are John’s opinions well thought out whether or not you agree?
• Yes 81.1%
• No 18.9%
5) Our opinion page also welcomes other opinions, whether they agree with the editorial or not. You may write your own opinion and send it by letter or email to the Leader as long as it is local, has your real name attached, and doesn’t libel another person.
When thinking of letters to the editor, would you consider making your opinion public through the Lamont Leader?
• Yes 76.2%
• No 23.8%
6) The Lamont Leader is published in print at all rural mail boxes and in stores; and is also available online at lamontleader.com or on our Facebook page.
When thinking about the availability of the Lamont Leader, which version do you primarily read?
• Print newspaper 100%
• Both Print & Online 5%
7) Because our readership has varied interests, we try to deliver the news as it happens, when it happens and where it happens.
When thinking about Leader news, which types of stories would you like to read more of?
• Local government stories 62.5%
• More sports stories 15%
• More feature stories about people, their hobbies and special interests 82.5%
8) Many feel the Lamont Leader is a large part of all our rural communities. Without the Leader; our local politics would not be reported on, worthwhile achievements of locals would not get recognition, and crime and punishment would not be called out.
When thinking of the Lamont Leader, do you feel our reporting without fear and favour is important to the health of our communities?
• Yes 92.7%
• No 7.3%
9) Advertising pays for the news in the Lamont Leader. Without our advertising revenue our business would not be able to afford to pay reporters to drive to events, write stories and take pictures of events; and would not be able to purchase printing and postage to get the news to our readers.
When thinking about promoting events and also wanting news coverage, do you consider the “one hand washes the other” saying and do you consider how paid advertising supports our local news coverage?
• Yes (Leader supports me, so…) 92.5%
• No (Never considered the 2 were related) 7.5%
10) Generally the towns and villages and the County of Lamont itself, have let the Lamont Leader cover events both good and bad without fear or favour. However sometimes local authorities (councillors, board members, school trustees, and even police) make things difficult for reporters trying to present the facts to readers honestly for fear it makes them look bad.
When thinking about the Leader’s ability to get news from councillors, board members, trustees or police and discover them being evasive or uncooperative, should the Leader expose them to the public and let them decide if it is acceptable?
• Yes 87.5%
• No 12.5%
Under the comments section of the survey, most of the comments were positive. But there were negative comments also, mostly stating they did not want John Mather’s conservative views expressed on our Opinion page. Even with detractors, over 81 percent agreed John’s opinions were well researched and thought out. We welcome Liberal viewpoints on the Opinion page as well. That is what it is for – opinions.
But we did receive some other ideas that were good, like getting youth involvement which we will be looking for more school input down the road. As well, we will be looking for feature story ideas, so if you know anyone with a great hobby, or accomplishment please email your suggestions.
Some of the meaner comments went a little something like this:
• “Appears to be a UCP biased paper. What a shame.”
• “Two sides of a story are rarely presented by John Mather. The other reporters attempt to, but there appears to be censorship from higher authorities.”
• “As of late you have been pro to the rebels in the County of Lamont.”
• Very poor reporting of county and small town events.”
• “I no longer, reluctantly, read the Leader because of the one-sided, hateful opinion page.”
• “A published lie has ruined more than one person’s life in this community.”
• “All we read about is the County of Lamont, Town of Andrew, Bruderheim and Chipman. Does that mean that the town of Lamont has no news and is boring?”
• “Mr. Trudeau is one of the most highly respected leaders of the free world; fighting for democracy, human rights, climate change, affordable housing, etc. etc, Fantastic Job Justin!”
But there were also more comments that were actually positive. Three times as many in fact.
• “Keep up the good work. Don’t close!”
• “You put out a great paper week in and week out. I find your coverage of the county good from one end to the other.”
• “I am a former resident. My cousin gifted me with a subscription years ago and I happily renew every year… advertise in the Leader for current subscribers to purchase a subscription for a friend.”
• “Keep up the good work John Mather.”
• “If I am not at Mudare early, they’re (Lamont Leader) often gone. Could you put a few more copies there?”
• “The Lamont Leader is doing a great job and is quite refreshing in its open reporting. There doesn’t appear to be a woke or paid for agenda.”
• “Keep up the good work to all involved.”
• “Leader doing a great job. Much better than the Fort Record.”
• “It is encouraging to see local support for a real newspaper… Mather Rocks!”
• “Love the Lamont Leader. Better than the Edmonton Journal. John Mather – great writer.:”
• “It is my way of keeping informed about what is happening in the communities around us (Andrew). Keep up the good work.”
• “Advertising is important to the whole county. Learning of events and small businesses showing what they can provide (in the Lamont Leader) to locals. Buy local if possible. We would not even know of these services (except in the Leader). An absolute must for local events and council issues.”
• “I wish the paper would be bigger, maybe double or triple the size.”
• “I really respect your newspaper as it is on the correct side of journalism.”
Thanks to everyone who took the time to fill out the survey and to give us their suggestions, praise and yes even criticism.
“I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
– Evelyn Beatrice Hall
