While in Haines recently, I had the opportunity to read the May 28 edition of the Chilkat Valley News and found your editorial about KHNS’s new policy of providing written-word stories to their listeners perplexing.
I must confess I never thought I’d see the day when public radio would be presented as the rich, big-daddy of broadcast, so flush with money that they can “give away” their news stories. I guess the on-air fundraisers that KHNS holds during the year are for trips to the Bahamas for the staff? But I digress.
What I found disconcerting was the tone of your editorial, and the fact that you felt it appropriate to take what is really a personal/professional problem to the public. What were you hoping to accomplish by this? Were you hoping the residents of Haines would join your cause, rise up with pitchforks and torches and storm the offices of KHNS, demanding that they stop doing such a good job disseminating news to the public? Trying to guilt-trip KHNS by insinuating that they are no longer a “good neighbor,” and outlining four options on what you think they should to do, is not a good look for the Chilkat Valley News.
I sympathize with your plight. Unfortunately, what you are experiencing is happening to all print newspapers. KHNS simply responded to the wishes of their listeners; asking them to disregard their listeners on your behalf is unreasonable.
Thad Hopper
Spokane, Wash.