One less paper to read or deliver
The local newspaper is important, even if I don’t read mine every day. At least not in paper format. Seems, to me, that I’ve been involved with physical journalism, in a minor manner, for a very long time. One of our (still available) weeklies was where I learned to proof read, measure column inches and occasionally scribble. Another let me fill in with 6X6 camera, in the real world. I’ve read my paper physically, virtually, historically; even delivered one for an early employment stint.
This afternoon, the editor of one of our local daily newspapers will turn out the lights. The paper, found mainly in the western parts of the province, has been rolled into its sibling. Cited, a decline in advertising, due to the the current crisis. Underscored, that it may never return. After all, the market decides what we read. I’m saddened by this.
Provincial borders are closed, for the main part. I watched an interview with the premiers of NB and NS, and their response to one question left me in awe. When asked (twice) if they were recording the license plate numbers of those driving between jurisdictions, the silence was palpable. I guess you can’t be found guilty (of big brother type surveillance) if you don’t answer. I’ll jump to a logical conclusion. Yes, they are, and they probably have been since the technology became affordable.
The federal parliament (in a much reduced version) convened this morning, just long enough to get some legislative housekeeping out of the way. A lot of background noise, from the Loyal Opposition; that it was completely unfair (that THEY weren’t in charge). So much for “the common good”.
