the newspaper business

I posted a topic on the Daily News forum a while back that is still kind of kicking around.

In a nutshell, it deals with the unofficial name of the biggest development in downtown Bowling Green since forever.

The unofficial name is Circus Square.

It’s based on a vague reference on a map from 1877 that seems to be locked in a secret place available only to those who like the name.

That’s it. Back in 1877, some map maker labeled an area “Circus Lot.”

There is absolutely no evidence that supports the contention that a circus ever was held in that area. Not even once.

So do I believe Circus Square is a “bad” name? No.

Is it meaningless? Yes.

Is there a better name? Yes.

Will I ever be around to see it called anything but Circus Square? No.

As with a lot of discussions, when they see the light of day, positions tend to harden. Instead of being a catalyst for open and candid discussion, and perhaps coming up with a better name. Those who support the name Circus Square are firm in their position. I’ve been around long enough to know when heels are being dug in.

Newspapers will die if we don’t act to improve the health of the industry, writes Kevin Martin, head of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, in an op-ed piece. The FCC “should modify” the rule that bars ownership of both a newspaper and a broadcast outlet in a single market.

There is never discussion about small markets like this one. Meanwhile, WNKY and WBKO have been allowed to double their advertising inventory by becoming affiliated with more networks. WBKO ABC/FOX/CW and WNKY NBC/CBS.

The newspaper owns a radio station, and that was grandfathered in. But if we wanted START a TV station, what choice is there? So locally, who cares what the FCC does, it won’t have an impact here.

 UPDATE: It has been reported that new FCC rules if enacted would only effect top 20 markets.  #20 is Orlando,  so you can see how restrictive this proposal really is.

Does it bother you that the people that want to be the leaders in Bowling Green don’t read the local newspaper every single day?

Yesterday, as has happened in past years, Leadership Bowling Green members toured the Daily News.

We split the large group (25 - 30) into two smaller groups. While I’m taking half on a tour of the building, Mike Alexieff, managing editor, talks shop with the other half. Then we switch.

At the end of the tour, I ask how many read the Daily News. I don’t specify online or in print. For the past few years, the response has been about the same, at best six to eight read it online, but less than that get the print edition.

These future leaders owe it to the community to know as much as they can about the community.  If they aren’t reading the newspaper everyday, they are living in a cocoon.

I expect more. I hope you feel the same.