[deep sigh as she took in a breath and started to arrange her words]
Newspapers can't change overnight. They have to evolve, naturally, over time. Like a living thing, even. Sss, sss, sss.
A lot of people genuinely enjoy the gossip column. If I cut it suddenly next week, a lot of people are going to wonder "Where is the gossip column?" and "What happened?" They might think someone pressured me into taking it down, and start wondering if I get rid of certain sections of the paper so quickly, maybe I'm holding back other stories I could be publishing because they might offend someone. Now with that idea in everyone's mind, no one will come to me with a tip for a story to write about, because they can't trust me to follow up on it.
Also, it's not fair to "Miss Tattler". They've followed my rules and adhered to my deadlines, and I reward them by suddenly throwing their work out? Kinda cold-hearted. Kahk-kahk-kahk.
...so, it has to evolve. Which is why I'm glad for your letter, Athena. I can use it to start a public debate about the gossip column, get people to think that maybe removing it is "thinkable," and get every reader's opinions. Then, if enough people want it gone, I can quietly take it down with an apology to "Miss Tattler," and no one will be concerned.
no subject
[deep sigh as she took in a breath and started to arrange her words]
Newspapers can't change overnight. They have to evolve, naturally, over time. Like a living thing, even. Sss, sss, sss.
A lot of people genuinely enjoy the gossip column. If I cut it suddenly next week, a lot of people are going to wonder "Where is the gossip column?" and "What happened?" They might think someone pressured me into taking it down, and start wondering if I get rid of certain sections of the paper so quickly, maybe I'm holding back other stories I could be publishing because they might offend someone. Now with that idea in everyone's mind, no one will come to me with a tip for a story to write about, because they can't trust me to follow up on it.
Also, it's not fair to "Miss Tattler". They've followed my rules and adhered to my deadlines, and I reward them by suddenly throwing their work out? Kinda cold-hearted. Kahk-kahk-kahk.
...so, it has to evolve. Which is why I'm glad for your letter, Athena. I can use it to start a public debate about the gossip column, get people to think that maybe removing it is "thinkable," and get every reader's opinions. Then, if enough people want it gone, I can quietly take it down with an apology to "Miss Tattler," and no one will be concerned.
Y'see?