Reader comments
Letter from the editor
52 comments | Read story
Camille | 4:18 a.m. June 15, 2008
I have always enjoyed the Deseret News. I read it every day and I have no
problems with it. I think you're doing a great job!!!
Robert | 7:03 a.m. June 15, 2008
With all due respect to Mr. Cannon and the paper, I have always believed that a
great paper must have a great journalist at its helm. Mr. Cannon served on the
paper's board for years before taking his current post, but, at least in my
view, that experience does not qualify him to lead journalists in the business
challenges they currently face. If the Deseret News wants to be a first-rate
paper and weather the business storms it faces, it needs a first-rate journalist
to lead it.
The subject of Mr. Cannon's apology -- his poor choice of words to describe the paper's future goals -- is a perfect example in support of my view. Full of short-hand enthusiasm, it lacked a journalist's careful and credible statement of fact.
As a subscriber and daily reader, my hopes for success are with Mr. Cannon and the paper. However, a wise and experienced journalist would never need to apologize for his description of his goals for his paper's future. "[An] unfortunate choice of words" would be the last thing a good journalist should apologize for.
The subject of Mr. Cannon's apology -- his poor choice of words to describe the paper's future goals -- is a perfect example in support of my view. Full of short-hand enthusiasm, it lacked a journalist's careful and credible statement of fact.
As a subscriber and daily reader, my hopes for success are with Mr. Cannon and the paper. However, a wise and experienced journalist would never need to apologize for his description of his goals for his paper's future. "[An] unfortunate choice of words" would be the last thing a good journalist should apologize for.
Paul MacVean | 7:12 a.m. June 15, 2008
As a Latter-day Saint in Australia, I regularly read the Deseret news website
(especially your movie reviews). I think your paper's one of the best! Keep
up the great work....More Mormon - all the better!!!
Comments continue below
Texans | 7:18 a.m. June 15, 2008
My family and I have not lived in Utah for six years, but I have read the
Deseret News online nearly every day since we left. We want news about Utah,
and the online layout of the Deseret News is simply superior to the Tribune.
But more than that, we love the reporters and writers at the Deseret News. They
are the best in the business. We've lived in two different cities in Texas
now, and neither local newspaper here could match the DesNews. Thanks for
providing superb content.
Rod Mortensen 1 | 7:27 a.m. June 15, 2008
How naive we are to think that to be more focused on a core audience that shares
similar values could mean "prejudice" or "skewed". The
society of people who we often categorize as Mormon are very diverse in many
ways both in Utah and all around the world - but they also share some enviable
common ideals.
For the Deseret News to survive in the constantly changing world of news and information they must look to their core audience as a lens and a focus of how do "we as Mormons" see the world. Our view is unique and if we just depend on the A.P. and Knightrider service for all of our perspective then we deserve to get our information through a lens that is not always in line with our values.
For the Deseret News to survive in the constantly changing world of news and information they must look to their core audience as a lens and a focus of how do "we as Mormons" see the world. Our view is unique and if we just depend on the A.P. and Knightrider service for all of our perspective then we deserve to get our information through a lens that is not always in line with our values.
Rod Mortensen 2 | 7:29 a.m. June 15, 2008
I applaud the Des. News for making this bold change and look forward to more
perspective that is unique to our culture. Your reporting can be just as hard
hitting in uncovering the truth through an unequaled effort to bring light on to
the situations reported. I hope it will find itself more pervasive throughout
the newspaper over time as there are so few news sources who see the world with
our unparalleled view.
Keep up the good work!
Keep up the good work!
frank day | 7:28 a.m. June 15, 2008
will you issue a translation in plain english?
Just The Facts | 7:33 a.m. June 15, 2008
When did the Deseret News have a "dedication to credible, hard-hitting,
objective journalism?" I haven't seen it in the past 10 years. Spin,
Joe, spin!
Ryan | 7:41 a.m. June 15, 2008
So what was the phrase??? A newspaper dedicated to accuracy should at least
repeat the phrase that is the subject of the entire article--not try to hide it
for a quick clean-up and move-on job.
Jonathan | 7:45 a.m. June 15, 2008
I used to subscribe to the Deseret News. When I first subscribed it was
delivered by 5:00 am. Then a few months later that slipped to 6:00 am. A few
weeks later it became 6:30 am. After complaining to the circulation and
customer service departments, delivery slipped to 7:00 am. It was then that I
dropped my subscription.
I'd suggest you worry less about your mission statement and concentrate on your customers and serving them.
I'd suggest you worry less about your mission statement and concentrate on your customers and serving them.
Anonymous | 8:06 a.m. June 15, 2008
Your online edition is one of the best.
Not so pleased :-(, 1st | 8:28 a.m. June 15, 2008
I'm not so pleased with the results of "more Mormon." I am a very
active Latter-day Saint living in Utah County. I am a convert of 44 years born
and raised in New York City. Two things bother me. One is the general LDS
content that is being published. For my taste there is too much LDS pop culture
and too much attention to "fringe" aspects of the religion. The exact
location of Zarahemla, the amount of caffeine it takes to make a sin, and other
such inquiries that trivialize the LDS religion to the outside world. Of course
there are Mormons measuring their caffeine content and there are Catholics
looking for an image of Mary on the freezer door, but this is not the core of
Mormonism or Catholocism. The media loves to trivialize religion because it
cannot grasp the depth of faith and commitment that sustains religion. Please
don't become an unwitting (or perhaps witting) contributor to this.
I'm sure there are many famous people who are Catholic. Why would that be
news? If you make LDS members famous for their church affiliation, you are not
serving the Church. The second thing bothering me will follow.
Whoa, Back Up there | 8:37 a.m. June 15, 2008
Well, the backpedalling tore up the ground a bit, didn't it? Still, though,
not much traction was achieved and we didn't get much explanation.
It will be interesting how this all manifests itself in the future. More mormon? It will be interesting to see what the paper will become less of to achieve it.
Anyway, we'll have fun with it.
It will be interesting how this all manifests itself in the future. More mormon? It will be interesting to see what the paper will become less of to achieve it.
Anyway, we'll have fun with it.
The more things change... | 8:38 a.m. June 15, 2008
...the more they stay the same. The century before last Orson F Whitney wrote
of the Trib: "Its only principle, apparently, was hatred of everything
Mormon."
Although I've lived in Chicago for 30 years I still marvel at how polarized Salt Lake is. You really have to read about an issue in both papers and then figure out the truth through extrapolation.
We sometimes forget that newspapers began as a way to publicize your point of view and get advertisers to subsidize the cost.
This idea of fairness and lack-of-bias is a relatively recent notion. The wire services leveled out some of the bias but rarely get the story right. (Else local reporters would be superfluous.)
No apology needed, Joe. You are a Mormon paper with a Mormon style book and Mormon guidelines regarding coverage. In short, you are a newspaper and need not apologize for your bias.
You MUST NOT try to fool the public into thinking you are anything else.
Although I've lived in Chicago for 30 years I still marvel at how polarized Salt Lake is. You really have to read about an issue in both papers and then figure out the truth through extrapolation.
We sometimes forget that newspapers began as a way to publicize your point of view and get advertisers to subsidize the cost.
This idea of fairness and lack-of-bias is a relatively recent notion. The wire services leveled out some of the bias but rarely get the story right. (Else local reporters would be superfluous.)
No apology needed, Joe. You are a Mormon paper with a Mormon style book and Mormon guidelines regarding coverage. In short, you are a newspaper and need not apologize for your bias.
You MUST NOT try to fool the public into thinking you are anything else.
Not so pleased :-( 2nd | 9:14 a.m. June 15, 2008
The second thing bothering me is the comments. Throwing core LDS beliefs to an
open forum is casting pearls before swine. That would be true for any religion,
but those waiting in the wings to denigrate LDS beliefs are very active at the
moment. You have provided them (unwittingly, or wittingly) a wonderful forum.
Any good you think you may be doing by providing information to Latter-day
Saints throughout the world is totally offset by the crass nature of the
opposition to whom you have given a voice. Are you deliberatly trying to test
the newly converted by throwing them "meat" when they need
"milk?" Examples of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and endurance should be the order of the day. Such things do not need
comments from detractors, but if they do make them, then they would be revealed
for who they really are. I've tried to counter some of the worst comments,
but I cannot keep up with it--there's too much else important to do than to
answer detractors inane comments. In summary, Mr. (Brother) Cannon, there is
much you need to do to fix the "more Mormon" aspect of the paper.
Please.
John | 9:29 a.m. June 15, 2008
Your content is no better, no worse than most.
You lost me when you decided to make me walk to the end of my long driveway in my underwear to pick the paper out of the gutter, so I can read it with my breakfast.
When you decide to do what all the rest of America does, which is delivery the paper to the front porch, be sure and let it be known, and I will re-subscribe. Until then, it doesn't matter what you print, if it sits in the road.
You lost me when you decided to make me walk to the end of my long driveway in my underwear to pick the paper out of the gutter, so I can read it with my breakfast.
When you decide to do what all the rest of America does, which is delivery the paper to the front porch, be sure and let it be known, and I will re-subscribe. Until then, it doesn't matter what you print, if it sits in the road.
Thanks | 9:43 a.m. June 15, 2008
I love apologies and take this one at face value, but . . . .
The last thing the Deseret News needs is to head in the direction that both the mission statement and Editor Cannon's "bumper-sticker" version of it seem to indicate.
Both LDS readers and non-LDS readers (a more important audience to worry about if you ask me) need: 1) an objective source of information on world and local events; 2) representative of both sides of the issues; 3) together with a trustworthy source for matters with a unique LDS perspective; 4) without letting that perspective overwhelm the reporting or the reader.
In many ways, the Deseret News accomplishes this remarkable well.
In other ways, its parochialism and lack of objective reporting are astounding.
To me, Mr. Cannon's statement said, in effect, "we're going to move more of what we do from the first category into the second" and that would be sad.
But, I accept the clarification that he meant something different. I guess let's leave it at that and see what happens.
Oh, yea, and some proof reading and quotation marks would helped clarify his statement.
The last thing the Deseret News needs is to head in the direction that both the mission statement and Editor Cannon's "bumper-sticker" version of it seem to indicate.
Both LDS readers and non-LDS readers (a more important audience to worry about if you ask me) need: 1) an objective source of information on world and local events; 2) representative of both sides of the issues; 3) together with a trustworthy source for matters with a unique LDS perspective; 4) without letting that perspective overwhelm the reporting or the reader.
In many ways, the Deseret News accomplishes this remarkable well.
In other ways, its parochialism and lack of objective reporting are astounding.
To me, Mr. Cannon's statement said, in effect, "we're going to move more of what we do from the first category into the second" and that would be sad.
But, I accept the clarification that he meant something different. I guess let's leave it at that and see what happens.
Oh, yea, and some proof reading and quotation marks would helped clarify his statement.
SL Cabbie | 9:45 a.m. June 15, 2008
Dang, a brief, shining moment of minimal honesty where there was at least an
acknowledgement of what was going to take place . . .
But now a retreat to Orwellian doublespeak and the world of Winston Smith (you folks did read those books when you were young, didn't you?).
Those singing this newspaper's praises likely haven't experienced the censorship I found here when objective facts were apparently deemed offensive.
While the rest of America deeply mourns the horribly premature passing of a genuinely brilliant, incisive and yet fair journalist, the Deseret News attempts to further its owner's agenda and yet lacks the integrity to admit it.
But now a retreat to Orwellian doublespeak and the world of Winston Smith (you folks did read those books when you were young, didn't you?).
Those singing this newspaper's praises likely haven't experienced the censorship I found here when objective facts were apparently deemed offensive.
While the rest of America deeply mourns the horribly premature passing of a genuinely brilliant, incisive and yet fair journalist, the Deseret News attempts to further its owner's agenda and yet lacks the integrity to admit it.
WWHD | 10:03 a.m. June 15, 2008
Well, at least Joe came right out said Deseret will be unfair and unbalanced to
giveway to the mormon agenda. His paper, his values...we'll just go
elsewhere for our news without the mormon spin.
Mike Richards | 10:28 a.m. June 15, 2008
My hat is off to Joe Cannon and to the job that he is doing. When print media
all over the world is collapsing, he is finding ways to reorganize the DN so
that it does not become a victim of the times.
Who says that a newspaper has to print "both" sides of every issue? How many sides does "truth" have? Do "total truth" and "almost truth" mean the same thing or is there "truth" and "lies"?
A newspaper prints facts, short concise, precise facts. Readers are expected to assimilate those facts. An article is not an editorial. An article, if accurate, fulfills its mission. "Slant" is mostly in the eyes of the beholders.
If the DN prints facts accurately and prints articles about the Nation, the State, the communities represented by its readers, and the Church, fairly and completely, then it will be a great and an important newspaper. A newspaper is not a substitute for Sunday School; it should not be expected to preach Doctrine.
The opinion forum in the DN is one of the best that I've ever seen. Anyone can post, regardless of their point of view with very good odds of being published.
Who says that a newspaper has to print "both" sides of every issue? How many sides does "truth" have? Do "total truth" and "almost truth" mean the same thing or is there "truth" and "lies"?
A newspaper prints facts, short concise, precise facts. Readers are expected to assimilate those facts. An article is not an editorial. An article, if accurate, fulfills its mission. "Slant" is mostly in the eyes of the beholders.
If the DN prints facts accurately and prints articles about the Nation, the State, the communities represented by its readers, and the Church, fairly and completely, then it will be a great and an important newspaper. A newspaper is not a substitute for Sunday School; it should not be expected to preach Doctrine.
The opinion forum in the DN is one of the best that I've ever seen. Anyone can post, regardless of their point of view with very good odds of being published.
Are Ya Lisenen Joe? | 10:52 a.m. June 15, 2008
Joe,
Sorry to pop your bubble, but 'real' journalistic excellence, both print and media, are in short supply today... due in large part to the Neocon press that still insists there's a Liberal press conspiracy out there. Yea right! Consider the following:
The Crandall Mine Disaster was the result of 'Retreat Mining.' Journalists at both DN and SLT were aware of this. Only the SLT team attempted to dig into this fact, while the neocon DM chose to allow Murphy to lead the news output. Capitulating to such things in poor journalism.
President Bush and VP Cheney have long represented issues that in the past aggressive journalists would have pursued (like Watergate, Lewinsky, etc.), but where this administration is concerned the press caves into not being the advocate of public interest but government/corporate interests instead. This is poor journalism at its worst.
Not pursuing issues that are inconvenient to the dominant mindset in Utah or its Relpublican majority or the big business interests (that you once represented in Utah in such a protectionist fashion), is the poorest journalism existent.
No Joe, Journalists in Utah and the nation have steadily become more churners of events than reporters of 'real' news!
Sorry to pop your bubble, but 'real' journalistic excellence, both print and media, are in short supply today... due in large part to the Neocon press that still insists there's a Liberal press conspiracy out there. Yea right! Consider the following:
The Crandall Mine Disaster was the result of 'Retreat Mining.' Journalists at both DN and SLT were aware of this. Only the SLT team attempted to dig into this fact, while the neocon DM chose to allow Murphy to lead the news output. Capitulating to such things in poor journalism.
President Bush and VP Cheney have long represented issues that in the past aggressive journalists would have pursued (like Watergate, Lewinsky, etc.), but where this administration is concerned the press caves into not being the advocate of public interest but government/corporate interests instead. This is poor journalism at its worst.
Not pursuing issues that are inconvenient to the dominant mindset in Utah or its Relpublican majority or the big business interests (that you once represented in Utah in such a protectionist fashion), is the poorest journalism existent.
No Joe, Journalists in Utah and the nation have steadily become more churners of events than reporters of 'real' news!
Threadkiller | 10:54 a.m. June 15, 2008
If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is
"more duck".
It always made sense to me | 11:00 a.m. June 15, 2008
With news shifting more and more to the virtual rather than the paper world, it
only makes sense for the DN to shift from a local paper to a national one for a
niche market. It's not a bad idea in the slightest, and Mormon Times is an
excellent site.
I must agree, however, that perhaps the LDS coverage could actually use a bit of broadening. It does seem that so much of the coverage is directed at Mormon "pop culture" (what is Mitt Romney up to, what members are in the news, etc.), the occasional Mormon "fringe" group, or doctrinal minutiae. All of this is well and good, but what of other issues?
I would specifically be interested in seeing some articles dealing with, for example, less traditional families. I'm not talking about gay marriage, I'm talking about more common issues facing church members: coping with divorce, couples coping with infertility or miscarriages, adoption issues, or other matters. Additionally, more coverage from reporters outside of Utah would be a pleasant change - the church's membership is spread far and wide and not Utah-centric, and the reporting should reflect more of that.
Seriously though, DN is doing well.
I must agree, however, that perhaps the LDS coverage could actually use a bit of broadening. It does seem that so much of the coverage is directed at Mormon "pop culture" (what is Mitt Romney up to, what members are in the news, etc.), the occasional Mormon "fringe" group, or doctrinal minutiae. All of this is well and good, but what of other issues?
I would specifically be interested in seeing some articles dealing with, for example, less traditional families. I'm not talking about gay marriage, I'm talking about more common issues facing church members: coping with divorce, couples coping with infertility or miscarriages, adoption issues, or other matters. Additionally, more coverage from reporters outside of Utah would be a pleasant change - the church's membership is spread far and wide and not Utah-centric, and the reporting should reflect more of that.
Seriously though, DN is doing well.
Anonymous | 11:02 a.m. June 15, 2008
Delivery issues are the problem of Newspaper Agency Corporation, which has
always done a stunningly bad job, but at least equally for both the News and the
SL Tribune. They decided they were delivering the paper on the driveway,
regardless, to save time and allow their delivery folks to do bigger routes.
SADLY, the days of the little guy on a bike trying to make money for sports or
play, is gone.
RMW | 11:10 a.m. June 15, 2008
I'm losing trust in the Deseret News for the following reasons:
1) The ULTRA conservative Joseph A. Cannon as editor.
2) More and more "LDS" content being shoved inside.
3) A message that they want to be "more" LDS and appeal to the international Mormon audience.
4) What appears to be some censoring and questionable editing.
I have taken the Deseret News now for over 30 years running, but I have come to a decision: I will be switching over to the SL Tribune. I just don't like the direction the Deseret News is taking. Sorry.
1) The ULTRA conservative Joseph A. Cannon as editor.
2) More and more "LDS" content being shoved inside.
3) A message that they want to be "more" LDS and appeal to the international Mormon audience.
4) What appears to be some censoring and questionable editing.
I have taken the Deseret News now for over 30 years running, but I have come to a decision: I will be switching over to the SL Tribune. I just don't like the direction the Deseret News is taking. Sorry.
evensteven | 11:23 a.m. June 15, 2008
Amen Anonymous @ 11:02.
When I tell stories of my brother and I trying to bike 135 papers around the neighborhood after school, people look at me like I was crazy. Then they'll never know how much fun it was to hit the porch from the back of a moving station wagon. Those were the days!
When I tell stories of my brother and I trying to bike 135 papers around the neighborhood after school, people look at me like I was crazy. Then they'll never know how much fun it was to hit the porch from the back of a moving station wagon. Those were the days!
Get It Right!!! | 11:26 a.m. June 15, 2008
The DNews is free to print whatever it likes, I just wish it would do it without
all the ERRORS!!! I read everyday, and see so many erros and so much bad
writing lately that it is distrating. In the race to get in online...can't
you first get it right?
Where does that buck stop?!?!
Where does that buck stop?!?!
Anonymous | 11:44 a.m. June 15, 2008
You can't look objectively toward the future if your culture promotes like
think.
If you go after the LDS skew you are looking at 5% of the US population. Advertising is rated on readership.
Look at Limbaugh. Whether a person listens because he loves Rush or he hates Rush they both count as listeners. From a business view whether I read this paper for spiritual fulfillment or to prove Mormonism is nonsense my reading counts toward revenue.
On the Internet side the Deseret News might add value to there LDS readership by linking out to the Era. It has a common owner. The goal should be a one stop window in to the world of Mormonism.
I would also suggest using Sunstone writers as a resource to captive a larger audience. FRAMS is your milk producer. Link out to FARMS for those who think anything less than blind faith is bashing their belief system.
I see your future as going going so far. You lack the vision to carry the ball the real distance.
If you go after the LDS skew you are looking at 5% of the US population. Advertising is rated on readership.
Look at Limbaugh. Whether a person listens because he loves Rush or he hates Rush they both count as listeners. From a business view whether I read this paper for spiritual fulfillment or to prove Mormonism is nonsense my reading counts toward revenue.
On the Internet side the Deseret News might add value to there LDS readership by linking out to the Era. It has a common owner. The goal should be a one stop window in to the world of Mormonism.
I would also suggest using Sunstone writers as a resource to captive a larger audience. FRAMS is your milk producer. Link out to FARMS for those who think anything less than blind faith is bashing their belief system.
I see your future as going going so far. You lack the vision to carry the ball the real distance.
liberal larry | 12:05 p.m. June 15, 2008
It's impossible to be "objective" when you have a paper written
by Mormons, for Mormons. Everything gets filtered through a narrow aperture of
cultural perspective. A better slogan would be "News from the LDS
perspective."
Try "MORE CONSERVATIVE" | 12:20 p.m. June 15, 2008
I am talking about following a consistent set of conservative principles. Not
the middle-class---middle-of-the-road, concervative-social-values type of
downtown Republicanism.
It has been humorous at times to see the terror in the eyes of those with the "downtown-mormon-majority" mentality--like the DesNews, as it races to distance itself from some evolving right-wing "embarrassment"/news story.
Your middle of the road editorial coverage and prejudiced news coverage does you no credit. For "balance?" you publish the sparing of moderate-Pignanelli coupled with "moderate"-uber CBD--Webb.
Sure you reflect conservative social values and a pro-business stance. But, you also love government to be doing things to "improve" Utah. You love most new tax programs. You love massive "investments" in new trains to help save the downtown core, even as it robs the suburbs and rural areas of good, safe roads and freeways that their money could be spent on.
And, worst of all, you pontificate, editorialize, report on this endlessly--what you have Envisioned so thoroughly--- with an abhorrence of actually bothering to experience more of these things to lend perspective. You display a deadly dirth of healthy scepticism in these areas.
Without falling off the far right end of the political spectrum, give comprehensive conservatism a chance.
It has been humorous at times to see the terror in the eyes of those with the "downtown-mormon-majority" mentality--like the DesNews, as it races to distance itself from some evolving right-wing "embarrassment"/news story.
Your middle of the road editorial coverage and prejudiced news coverage does you no credit. For "balance?" you publish the sparing of moderate-Pignanelli coupled with "moderate"-uber CBD--Webb.
Sure you reflect conservative social values and a pro-business stance. But, you also love government to be doing things to "improve" Utah. You love most new tax programs. You love massive "investments" in new trains to help save the downtown core, even as it robs the suburbs and rural areas of good, safe roads and freeways that their money could be spent on.
And, worst of all, you pontificate, editorialize, report on this endlessly--what you have Envisioned so thoroughly--- with an abhorrence of actually bothering to experience more of these things to lend perspective. You display a deadly dirth of healthy scepticism in these areas.
Without falling off the far right end of the political spectrum, give comprehensive conservatism a chance.
Nick | 12:55 p.m. June 15, 2008
I'm not LDS, but I am a life-long Utahn.
Twenty years ago the DesNews could be counted on to do an above-average job at reporting national news and, so long as there was no connection to religion involved, the local news, too.
During "conference" weeks I'd simply take it as a given that the paper, being owned by the Mormons, would become the church's mouthpiece. I'd wait for the paper's return to normalcy another week or two later.
If/when I wanted to know the Mormon religion's goings-on, I'd glance at the "church news" section.
Gone are the days. "Church News" has so suffused the paper, and Mormon-themed content has so overwhelmed the paper's editorial pages that it has become (to my mind) a full-time propaganda organ for the state's dominant religion. The paper's growing lack of acknowledgment of non-Mormon, but equally legitimate, perspective is appalling.
The 1st Amendment grants the Mr. Cannon the right to be as blinkered and insensitive in his approach to publishing a newspaper as he wants, but it does not compel me to continue to subscribe.
Twenty years ago the DesNews could be counted on to do an above-average job at reporting national news and, so long as there was no connection to religion involved, the local news, too.
During "conference" weeks I'd simply take it as a given that the paper, being owned by the Mormons, would become the church's mouthpiece. I'd wait for the paper's return to normalcy another week or two later.
If/when I wanted to know the Mormon religion's goings-on, I'd glance at the "church news" section.
Gone are the days. "Church News" has so suffused the paper, and Mormon-themed content has so overwhelmed the paper's editorial pages that it has become (to my mind) a full-time propaganda organ for the state's dominant religion. The paper's growing lack of acknowledgment of non-Mormon, but equally legitimate, perspective is appalling.
The 1st Amendment grants the Mr. Cannon the right to be as blinkered and insensitive in his approach to publishing a newspaper as he wants, but it does not compel me to continue to subscribe.
Southern Utah Resident | 1:11 p.m. June 15, 2008
When the DN starts running objective stories about of Chris Cannon I will
consider it a credible news source!
Mike Richards | 1:15 p.m. June 15, 2008
Joe Cannon must be doing his job. Look at all of these posts, particularly from
those who disagree with him. Those posters, even though they disagreed, took
the time to read and then to respond. To me, that shows interest. That shows
involvement. That shows that the newspaper is working.
Keep it up, Joe.
Keep it up, Joe.
Thanks :o) Deseret News | 1:39 p.m. June 15, 2008
Thank you, Joe cannon, We love most all the Deseret News articles that are put
out for the public to read, and some of the funny commenter's on many of
the D-News posts. I have to say that we have laughed so hard many, many times
over silly and funny commenter's, and we sometimes find them more
entertaining than TV. Although some the Deseret News, stories make us sad, and
we are filled with a lot of emotion reading what you write. Please keep up the
good work and we will always be devoted readers, Thank you.
soakblue | 1:52 p.m. June 15, 2008
Joe Cannon should not be the publisher of any newspaper. Put in an experienced
journalist please. Thanks a lot.
Sandra | 2:39 p.m. June 15, 2008
Hey, Joe Cannon, Thanks for everything you write. You are great! We enjoy all
the great articles. And even humorous, grumpy, commenter's comments.
Deseret News is good for letting even the angry, emotionally bitter people
comment.
California Man | 3:20 p.m. June 15, 2008
The news is not always pretty and sometimes the
�fringe� aspects of our culture do
make more interesting news than the daily simple good things people do. I have
appreciated the guest articles written by Carmen Rasmussen giving us the inside
scoop on what it is like inside �American
Idol� when a couple of our own are in the running. Music,
plays, movies, sports, Utah, crime these are all news.
So we are a culture as well as a religion. Need we always apoligize for this? Is there anything wrong with this? Should we instead embrace all that the world has to offer and not create entertainment that fits our values and celebrate our unique way of life.
Go, go, go I say Deseret News. you are the paper of the Mormoon Culture. You need not be the �Church News or Ensign� and we don't need another "Salt Lake Tribune".
So we are a culture as well as a religion. Need we always apoligize for this? Is there anything wrong with this? Should we instead embrace all that the world has to offer and not create entertainment that fits our values and celebrate our unique way of life.
Go, go, go I say Deseret News. you are the paper of the Mormoon Culture. You need not be the �Church News or Ensign� and we don't need another "Salt Lake Tribune".
Reader | 3:32 p.m. June 15, 2008
To saokblue,Joe Cannon is the editor, not the publisher. For those who do not
like the Deseret News, go find another publication to read.
Cannon | 3:32 p.m. June 15, 2008
There's no harm Cannon being the editor.
Remember the Trib had an experienced journalist in charge who was responsible for presiding of the Smart-story-selling-controversy.
Making the paper more Mormon is fine, too. Basically only Mormons subscribe as it is, so this makes sense.
But if you really want to make this paper bigger and more important, give up the milque toast perspective to conservative issues.
Sure, a few social issues you take a conservative stance, but on the real issues: vouchers, transportation, taxation, etc, you just become the baby Tribune. You become the soft turn to their diharrea.
Go conservative and watch your market share grow.
Remember the Trib had an experienced journalist in charge who was responsible for presiding of the Smart-story-selling-controversy.
Making the paper more Mormon is fine, too. Basically only Mormons subscribe as it is, so this makes sense.
But if you really want to make this paper bigger and more important, give up the milque toast perspective to conservative issues.
Sure, a few social issues you take a conservative stance, but on the real issues: vouchers, transportation, taxation, etc, you just become the baby Tribune. You become the soft turn to their diharrea.
Go conservative and watch your market share grow.
arc | 4:14 p.m. June 15, 2008
We need to be able to get the Church News online, without having to pay for the
paper version. We don't need for the Deseret News to morf into the Church
News.
I wonder what Charles W. Penrose would think about Joe Cannon? If he wasn't busy, President Monson would be a great editor, but he isn't available.
The only good news that Joe Cannon is editor, is that he isn't ruining the state GOP.
The fact that the Deseret News is biased against anyone that Runs against Chris Cannon is obvious. Compare the KSL report about the money received from both Jason Chaffetz and Chris Cannon and the Deseret News, and you can see that anything that Chris does poorly is made to look good by the Des News.
I actually think the Deseret News would be better if Chris Cannon were not in office. Of course, the Deseret News would be better with a different editor.
I wonder what Charles W. Penrose would think about Joe Cannon? If he wasn't busy, President Monson would be a great editor, but he isn't available.
The only good news that Joe Cannon is editor, is that he isn't ruining the state GOP.
The fact that the Deseret News is biased against anyone that Runs against Chris Cannon is obvious. Compare the KSL report about the money received from both Jason Chaffetz and Chris Cannon and the Deseret News, and you can see that anything that Chris does poorly is made to look good by the Des News.
I actually think the Deseret News would be better if Chris Cannon were not in office. Of course, the Deseret News would be better with a different editor.
Disappointed reader | 5:43 p.m. June 15, 2008
Deseret News (DN) is the last paper I turn to for news. I read widely from the
US, UK, India and Australia and find the DN lacking as a newspaper.
Just look at the 10 Most Read list today. No fewer than 5 articles on local sports issues, one apology from the editor, one article about men's ties, etc.
Believe it or not, most people around the world really don't care too much about Utah sports.
DN is not a newspaper. It is a daily magazine focussed on a special interes group in Utah. It does well at that. News is a second string to the DN institution.
For us in the "rest of the world" DN is a disappointing visit to see how the Mormons view life. Not even all Mormons - just Utah Mormons. California Mormons have a different heirarchy of interests, so do Chicago Mormons and Mormons almost everywhere else. I'm not sure that the heirarchy of interests of most Utah Mormons is 50% local sports focussed.
And so right wing! Evidence the treatment of Harry Reid vs the treatment of the Cannons of the Utah community.
We can see what you are. Don't pretend.
Just look at the 10 Most Read list today. No fewer than 5 articles on local sports issues, one apology from the editor, one article about men's ties, etc.
Believe it or not, most people around the world really don't care too much about Utah sports.
DN is not a newspaper. It is a daily magazine focussed on a special interes group in Utah. It does well at that. News is a second string to the DN institution.
For us in the "rest of the world" DN is a disappointing visit to see how the Mormons view life. Not even all Mormons - just Utah Mormons. California Mormons have a different heirarchy of interests, so do Chicago Mormons and Mormons almost everywhere else. I'm not sure that the heirarchy of interests of most Utah Mormons is 50% local sports focussed.
And so right wing! Evidence the treatment of Harry Reid vs the treatment of the Cannons of the Utah community.
We can see what you are. Don't pretend.
To: Get It Right!!! | 5:46 p.m. June 15, 2008
You misspelled "errors."
Irchr | 5:49 p.m. June 15, 2008
I am amused at the whining of those who don't want "MORE MORMON".
I live in Texas and I read the paper online because it is "more
mormon". If this was the only newspaper in town, then you have a beef.
But it isn't. YOu can buy the other newspaper and you have a choice. I
like having a place I can go to and read about the church, people in the church
and how the community is reacting to the church. Try living in the bible belt
for a while and all those complaints will fade fast. I say MORE MORMON is
"more better". If you don't like an article THEN DON"T
READ IT. If you think the article is trivial, THEN DON"T READ IT. Just
stop whining. It isn't what grown up "mormons" do.
Cherilyn Bacon Eagar | 6:00 p.m. June 15, 2008
Joe:
Thanks for apologizing. Such humility is a "first" for journalism. But you didn�t misuse any words. This new voice will provide more Mormon thought and will reach more Mormons.
Unbiased news is an oxymoron. No one is without an agenda. More news agencies should have the integrity to say �from the Left� or �from the Right.� With the overwhelming majority of journalists claiming to be non-religious/Democrat or Independent, a conservative religious voice is welcome in print media.
Having been interviewed by reporters numerous times, it has been frustrating to see how limited time and space has reduced the �full story� to sound bites, usually compromising depth and accuracy. As a result, the most unreliable sources of information have become television/radio news, followed by print news.
Online news will help print news become more reliable, just as radio talk has become, because it provides open discussion forums and commentary. If only those posting comments would use more netiquette, decorum and diplomacy and use the space to inform, rather than to attack, it would be a superior form of communication.
Thank you for the daily online issue! I�ve been commenting regularly. Good job!
Cherilyn Bacon Eagar
World Class Education Research
Thanks for apologizing. Such humility is a "first" for journalism. But you didn�t misuse any words. This new voice will provide more Mormon thought and will reach more Mormons.
Unbiased news is an oxymoron. No one is without an agenda. More news agencies should have the integrity to say �from the Left� or �from the Right.� With the overwhelming majority of journalists claiming to be non-religious/Democrat or Independent, a conservative religious voice is welcome in print media.
Having been interviewed by reporters numerous times, it has been frustrating to see how limited time and space has reduced the �full story� to sound bites, usually compromising depth and accuracy. As a result, the most unreliable sources of information have become television/radio news, followed by print news.
Online news will help print news become more reliable, just as radio talk has become, because it provides open discussion forums and commentary. If only those posting comments would use more netiquette, decorum and diplomacy and use the space to inform, rather than to attack, it would be a superior form of communication.
Thank you for the daily online issue! I�ve been commenting regularly. Good job!
Cherilyn Bacon Eagar
World Class Education Research
awesomeron | 6:01 p.m. June 15, 2008
I like the Paper and I like the Board, the Mods are fair. You have to learn to
paint between the lines, but it is not that hard. I am getting about 80% Posted
Now. I have learned to save everything. Remember they do not make a lot of money
running this Board. I have seen Boards come and go, some through neglect and
some just pulled. You want a Board that is not to slow and not to fast with
enough input and enough topics. This Board more then meets that requirement.
When I need to get rough, I go else where. Topix is good, instant up, but you
might be offended by the comments, content, and lack of understanding of some
posters. I do not think of this as for Salt lake but for Mormons in General. We
all have a connection to Salt Lake, BYU's and General Mormon Thinking and
of course the Dogma. I believe that this Board and the Paper are Mostly Fair and
Balanced, you cannot have a point of view with out some Bias. They are doing a
Good Job. If Mormons are your Base Readership. Then you keep them happy.
IM | 7:41 p.m. June 15, 2008
Cherilyn - All you are is sound bites. You should be ashamed at yourself the way
that you carried on at the GOP state convention a few weeks ago.
Reader | 8:21 p.m. June 15, 2008
I read the DesNews because I like the readers better. All the comments seem to
be more level headed than in other news papers where they are downright rude.
Used to read others but I am sticking with DesNews online now. Thanks
Another mistake, "Get It Right" | 9:13 p.m. June 15, 2008
What exactly does "distrating" mean? Does it mean the same thing as
"distracting"? It always amazes me how foolish people look when they
are making charges against others. Maybe you should take a few moments next time
and look into something called "spell check".
to disappointed reader | 11:39 p.m. June 15, 2008
I hate to break this to you, but the sports section in almost all newspapers is
the most read and most profitable. So trying to say the DNews does a bad job
reporting major issues just because most of the things in the top ten most read
are about sports just doesn't make sense. Lets face it i care more about
sports than what McCain and Obama are doing. If there are so many people out
there that want to read about things other than Utah sports why aren't
there more subjects than Utah sports in the top ten list. It just doesn't
make sense! Its not because the articles aren't there its because people
don't read them!!!
Bob Pomeroy | 2:42 p.m. June 16, 2008
There's a comment above re Pop Culture which I think is pretty close. So
much seems to be focussed on the uncontroversial. Nothing about the latest
"affiliation scam". Little about Alyssa Peterson. Recent
developments in the latter seem to point away from political controversy, but
silence. I'd think DN would be a great forum from which certain people
might speak, perhaps anonymously, in a manner which is not ex-cathedra to be
quoted in every jot and tittle, but I don't see any. I think that what is
missing speaks as profoundly as what gets carried, and I think your editorial
policy (it is yours) tends to be more than a little too politically correct in R
terms. I think you should hire Casey (you know who I mean) to do some
editorializing for you. There's a lot more room for pondering controversy
from both sides than appears in your publication. Remember how the A provides a
fulcrum for balance? Not all important matters are well-settled.
Add your comment
Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.
Words Remaining
E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.
- Wade honored to join 'Air Jordan' 10:25 p.m.
- PTSD lingers for war veterans 10:25 p.m.
- Veterans event on chopping block? 10:24 p.m.
- Pride Center lauds service from gays 10:20 p.m.
- Historic Armistice Day in Paris 10:19 p.m.
- Obama honors veterans at Arlington 10:17 p.m.
- Hezbollah says Obama shows bias 10:17 p.m.
- World datelines 10:16 p.m.
- Tavernari has matured 10:02 p.m.
- Meet the climbing mayor 10:00 p.m.
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point
- 'Love story' of crash victim ends
- BYU football recruit turning heads
- Alta's Ohai is Ms. Soccer 2009
- Prep football: Felt's Facts Week
- 12 Utes return to Texas
- Cougars' defensive hoops clinic
- Wyoming writer amazed by BYU
- Gays get Mormon support in SLC
- House passes health care bill
285 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies241
- TCU showdown has big implications193
- Senators want food tax restored157
- Cougars crush hapless Cowboys155
- Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings131
- TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd119
- S.L. vote pending on gay protections109
- No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy108
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges100
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
Advertisement
Latest comments
Missing the "G"
I was one of the lucky ones who said NO, NO, and NO sir to this scam.
The celtics only had 4 more field goals than us. Not horrible, but we had 0...
Maybe if Sloan wins coach of the year he will retire?
I don't want my tax dollars paying for this practice. I will live with...
I want to go to Mexico on vacation and spend some time with my family. I can...
If your kid is dying of a chronic illness you will kill some rats, mice,...
I always thought it was great when a teacher was finally earning what she or...
Never happen. Period... What the UHSAA needs to look at is the feeder...
Good thing I never call... what was that number again?
Advertisements