10 years ago refused to pay for a one sided paper that did not publish all views of the local news. I use the paper given to me by a neighbor for fire starter, drying washed windows, lining plant boxes and packing material. We moved to get away from being spoon fed all the control mechanisms and having to dig for the truth elsewhere only to find it was here too, the small convenient things you don’t realize until after making a move, arg!
In communist systems, controlling the press typically involves state ownership and control of media outlets, strict censorship, and suppression of dissenting voices. This ensures that information is presented in a way that supports the ruling party's ideology and agenda.
Censorship:
Censorship is a key mechanism for controlling the press. This involves removing or altering content deemed to be critical of the government or the ruling ideology. Material that promotes alternative viewpoints or challenges the status quo is often suppressed.
Propaganda:
Communist regimes heavily rely on propaganda to shape public opinion and reinforce their ideology. This includes using media to promote positive narratives about the government, glorify leaders, and demonize opponents.
It is not communism yet but it sure comes close to checking off all the boxes.
I get my news from the BullTozzer! The PDN is not an independent voice. Taxing me to fund a mouthpiece of the Kommissioners? I don't think so. And why "print" it? Publish on the Internet and be done with it online.
They start their meeting acknowledging their conflict of interest, and then end it with wanting to be part of the hidden tax payer money scheme that is controlling citizens to support their conflict?
I don't think so.
The paid media in this community has clearly abdicated their role as the Fourth Estate, and as such aren't even worthy as a tattered Sears catalog in an outhouse.
Plain and simple: No one buys your product because no one likes your product. PDN either needs to change its business practice or sell. NO tax-payer bailout for a failing business.
When the forum opened with Land Acknowledgement did people place their right hand over their heart? "I pledge allegiance to the Tribe..." We know who will run the PDN.
Seems to me what would save this local paper is some true investigative journalism. With today's internet, etc. folks can get all the event notices they want from places other than a newspaper. Even the County Commissioners can.put out their propaganda without a paper. But if the local newspaper did some digging into what the politicians were up to and actually did some real reporting, people would be clamoring to read it. That's what sells papers. And that's what attracts advertisers to pay to be part of the paper. People love controversy, and they love newspapers that give them truthful facts about what's going on in the community. I think if the paper did that just two or three times a week instead of near daily, the paper would sell lots of papers. Locals crave another prospective other than from our self serving politicians.
They don’t have anyone with experience to do that kind of work. And they’ve just said they can’t afford to hire anyone else, hence the beg-a-thon for money.
I subscribe to the online Peninsula Daily News (PDN) to read the slanted stories released that may affect my life. The PDN has a reporter at County Commissioners meetings, which I attend regularly, and the column reads like a press release, as noted. This is what journalism has evolved into. Most articles are politically biased and no apparent investigation of facts presented. One of the most disturbing things to me is the grammatical and spelling errors that are seen in almost every paragraph, how unprofessional. The only reason I continue my subscription is to read the commentary by Pat Neal. If we continue this decline into government (tax) control of our information, we will surely reap what we sow. PRAVDA? I hope it's not to late.
It's not too late, Eric. CC has Watchdog by Jeff Tozzer to bring another side of the news. And he doesn't need taxes to support his site. People want to read his posts and look forward to learning about their community.
My intention has been to continue to support our small-town paper, despite it going downhill, because it’s supposed to keep us informed about local government. I’m having second thoughts because the reporting feels biased by officials and special interests.
That realization goes against the grain of our life long perceptions/beliefs that the media keep us informed. It's like my 90 year old dad still thinking ABC, NBC, and CBS are the only sources of news, and that they're neutral.
Doug has developed an unhealthy admiration with all the male newscasters at ABC. With the right lighting, a fitness regime, and some anti-aging cream he would finally believe me when I tell him about Clallam County.
Mk, wait, what? ABC, NBC and CBS aren't neutral? Don't they still have that peacock at the end of the broadcasting day? I'm with your 90 year old dad, give him the peace love sign for me.
Mk, I'm sure your father's first car was a Ford needing to cranked in the front to start it. The kick back on those cranks could break an arm. What a history he has lived through. I'm glad you still have him.
The exposure of scope, and demise of USAID was a real eye-opener for many, who had a difficult time getting their head around the idea that our government was undermining our Republic from the inside-out. That discovery was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as local taxpayers are witnessing the brevity of our County Commissioners and their context of transparency. "Ignorance is no excuse", I learned at a very early age, and doesn't mitigate the consequences thereof. A song,"Bend me, Shape me" confirmed my understanding, especially during 1967, The Sumer of Love, Hippy Movement, and events transpiring around the Vietnam War; protests, and racial tensions, with the resurgence of Communist covert activities and NGOs becoming the base from which to influence the agenda of our government. All of these uprisings, and distractions have been well-planned and implemented, with just enough patriotic allusion and John Philip Sousa to pacify the masses, until recently. "The time to strike is while the iron is hot."
Some years ago our house was broken into. The man who did it targeted our house and a few others on a Sunday morning, stealing things that could easily be pawned for money to buy drugs.
The burglary made the PDN, and like Jeff said, it was press-release journalism. The author of the article basically changed the order of the Sheriff's statement and hit "publish."
I wrote to the editor asking that instead of publishing a list of things that were taken from us to run a story on the root of the issue: Clallam County's worsening drug abuse problem, which was driving the crime - among other reasons. I didn't get a response to my last email of our exchange (not surprising, because I was pretty blunt and not very polite) but I also never saw an article with real journalism investigating the issue.
That was over 10 years ago. The drug epidemic has only become worse and has all but taken over the face of Port Angeles. I wouldn't expect an article in the PDN to prevent that, but it was and still is an issue which deserves serious coverage. Ultimately the PDN is not a serious news organization.
PDN has been on its last legs for a long time, and no wonder. I can just sign up for Facebook again if I want to read low-quality local drivel.
You nailed it! Keep Americans confused or fighting with each other. That distracts us from issues our elected or (appointed) officials should be engaged in, but somehow are busy with enriching themselves. Or spending time smoking the peace pipe, as it were, with the tribe. PDN is drivel, I’ve written drivel. I recognize it when I see it. Too bad.
Good local papers are a community backbone, others are a shame.
The first thing that the press needs to do is apologize for lying to the people at the behest of the establishment. Without a sincere apology the press as we know it is dead. In addition to that they need to hold truth to power and not simply parroting the establishment narrative. 👍😃
There's got to be a reason they want the money funneled through the Events Center, why not just handle it themselves? And if they use the Events Center, because it's a non profit would public records be available? It would be interesting to see who donates, then see if those people (or businesses or tribes etc.) are given special treatment in the PDN. But then I suppose we already know what the answer to that would be.
Field Hall is getting another $60k approved by the commissioners this week. They are underwater, it cost way too much to build, and isn't bringing in the revenue they projected. Field Hall and the PDN are in the same boat looking for handouts.
Just another tactic of "hide the special interest" money that is so prevalent these days. We seen it demonstrated with so many NGO'S, and other activist organizations of late.
The PDN is the finest small market newspaper in the country. I don’t understand all the derision. It simply has no peer for wrapping fish, lining puppy litter boxes and the bottoms of bird cages.
Sequim Gazette is a good runner-up, but with fewer pages to perform household tasks. Once I thought I read something interesting in PDN, but I think I’m mistaken.
Eloquently stated! This is the exact reason I gave up my PDN subscription. Zero accountability of the sources of power in our community. Zero investigative reporting. There are so few places (if any) one can truly get balanced news. Unfortunately even with the wonderful reporting at CC Watchdog, it often ends up being an echo chamber. I think it is natural for people to seek out those who are like-minded, but this is all contributing to the polarization of our society. We need to restore some semblance of balance. Those running the PDN would be smart to start printing your articles….perhaps readership would rise all around!
I just imagine a large group of attendees standing up and walking out immediately after the self-loathing land declaration. Like "oh, well I don't want any part of this oppressive gathering!"
We must have TRUE investigative journalism. Mearly reprinting the words of politicians is ONLY reporting. That's what TV reporters do. They only read what's written for them . A journalist digs deep into the topic: origin, follows the money, supporters of influence both known and hiding in the background. They interview many people both pro and con on topic. They research other / similar topics and their outcomes. A true journalist develops an in-depth, truthful, investigative piece. Since such work is usually fairly voluminous, the resulting article is frequently published over several editions of the paper.
Locals are looking for exactly such indepth information. They will buy the paper if they are confident of its truthful, complete reporting. A local paper is very important to the community, but only if it publishes the WHOLE unvarnished story.
10 years ago refused to pay for a one sided paper that did not publish all views of the local news. I use the paper given to me by a neighbor for fire starter, drying washed windows, lining plant boxes and packing material. We moved to get away from being spoon fed all the control mechanisms and having to dig for the truth elsewhere only to find it was here too, the small convenient things you don’t realize until after making a move, arg!
In communist systems, controlling the press typically involves state ownership and control of media outlets, strict censorship, and suppression of dissenting voices. This ensures that information is presented in a way that supports the ruling party's ideology and agenda.
Censorship:
Censorship is a key mechanism for controlling the press. This involves removing or altering content deemed to be critical of the government or the ruling ideology. Material that promotes alternative viewpoints or challenges the status quo is often suppressed.
Propaganda:
Communist regimes heavily rely on propaganda to shape public opinion and reinforce their ideology. This includes using media to promote positive narratives about the government, glorify leaders, and demonize opponents.
It is not communism yet but it sure comes close to checking off all the boxes.
good site to see how close we are. https://laissez-fairerepublic.com/TenPlanks.html
Eric, Yikes, the Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto sounds too familiar to be coincidence. We are close aren't we.
The "communism" most Americans think the Soviet Union had was State Capitalism. Out here, we recognize we're all Socialists, or we can't survive.
I get my news from the BullTozzer! The PDN is not an independent voice. Taxing me to fund a mouthpiece of the Kommissioners? I don't think so. And why "print" it? Publish on the Internet and be done with it online.
You're too funny 🤣. Now I know why I've been beeping when I back up.
May be your diet.
I receive 100% of my PDN articles (and their native advertising) via RSS feed.
They start their meeting acknowledging their conflict of interest, and then end it with wanting to be part of the hidden tax payer money scheme that is controlling citizens to support their conflict?
I don't think so.
The paid media in this community has clearly abdicated their role as the Fourth Estate, and as such aren't even worthy as a tattered Sears catalog in an outhouse.
Plain and simple: No one buys your product because no one likes your product. PDN either needs to change its business practice or sell. NO tax-payer bailout for a failing business.
When the forum opened with Land Acknowledgement did people place their right hand over their heart? "I pledge allegiance to the Tribe..." We know who will run the PDN.
The flag poles flying Old Glory are next.
I dunno. A flag means the property is open to public access as a Federal building. Not permission you really want to extend.
Seems to me what would save this local paper is some true investigative journalism. With today's internet, etc. folks can get all the event notices they want from places other than a newspaper. Even the County Commissioners can.put out their propaganda without a paper. But if the local newspaper did some digging into what the politicians were up to and actually did some real reporting, people would be clamoring to read it. That's what sells papers. And that's what attracts advertisers to pay to be part of the paper. People love controversy, and they love newspapers that give them truthful facts about what's going on in the community. I think if the paper did that just two or three times a week instead of near daily, the paper would sell lots of papers. Locals crave another prospective other than from our self serving politicians.
They KNOW
They don’t have anyone with experience to do that kind of work. And they’ve just said they can’t afford to hire anyone else, hence the beg-a-thon for money.
I'll buy a subscription, then they don't genuflect to anyone other than the citizens, and start reporting what's really going on.
They have the power, they choose their own demise.
MK, especially if they read this substack, which I'm sure they will. HEY PDN, listen to the people.
I subscribe to the online Peninsula Daily News (PDN) to read the slanted stories released that may affect my life. The PDN has a reporter at County Commissioners meetings, which I attend regularly, and the column reads like a press release, as noted. This is what journalism has evolved into. Most articles are politically biased and no apparent investigation of facts presented. One of the most disturbing things to me is the grammatical and spelling errors that are seen in almost every paragraph, how unprofessional. The only reason I continue my subscription is to read the commentary by Pat Neal. If we continue this decline into government (tax) control of our information, we will surely reap what we sow. PRAVDA? I hope it's not to late.
It's not too late, Eric. CC has Watchdog by Jeff Tozzer to bring another side of the news. And he doesn't need taxes to support his site. People want to read his posts and look forward to learning about their community.
My intention has been to continue to support our small-town paper, despite it going downhill, because it’s supposed to keep us informed about local government. I’m having second thoughts because the reporting feels biased by officials and special interests.
That realization goes against the grain of our life long perceptions/beliefs that the media keep us informed. It's like my 90 year old dad still thinking ABC, NBC, and CBS are the only sources of news, and that they're neutral.
And my 49 year old husband. If David Muir hasn't covered it, it isn't news.
😄
It's not about the news, it's all about his hair. Just remember the thick, dark coiffe is an optical illusion thanks to hair spray, dyes, and fillers.
Doug has developed an unhealthy admiration with all the male newscasters at ABC. With the right lighting, a fitness regime, and some anti-aging cream he would finally believe me when I tell him about Clallam County.
I still want to get a beehive (not the hair do) then hire the guy on Jeff's "Colonization" article. Yowzer!
I KNOW! He'd be worth the anaphylactic shock.
Mk, wait, what? ABC, NBC and CBS aren't neutral? Don't they still have that peacock at the end of the broadcasting day? I'm with your 90 year old dad, give him the peace love sign for me.
Mk, I'm sure your father's first car was a Ford needing to cranked in the front to start it. The kick back on those cranks could break an arm. What a history he has lived through. I'm glad you still have him.
The exposure of scope, and demise of USAID was a real eye-opener for many, who had a difficult time getting their head around the idea that our government was undermining our Republic from the inside-out. That discovery was only the tip of the proverbial iceberg, as local taxpayers are witnessing the brevity of our County Commissioners and their context of transparency. "Ignorance is no excuse", I learned at a very early age, and doesn't mitigate the consequences thereof. A song,"Bend me, Shape me" confirmed my understanding, especially during 1967, The Sumer of Love, Hippy Movement, and events transpiring around the Vietnam War; protests, and racial tensions, with the resurgence of Communist covert activities and NGOs becoming the base from which to influence the agenda of our government. All of these uprisings, and distractions have been well-planned and implemented, with just enough patriotic allusion and John Philip Sousa to pacify the masses, until recently. "The time to strike is while the iron is hot."
Some years ago our house was broken into. The man who did it targeted our house and a few others on a Sunday morning, stealing things that could easily be pawned for money to buy drugs.
The burglary made the PDN, and like Jeff said, it was press-release journalism. The author of the article basically changed the order of the Sheriff's statement and hit "publish."
I wrote to the editor asking that instead of publishing a list of things that were taken from us to run a story on the root of the issue: Clallam County's worsening drug abuse problem, which was driving the crime - among other reasons. I didn't get a response to my last email of our exchange (not surprising, because I was pretty blunt and not very polite) but I also never saw an article with real journalism investigating the issue.
That was over 10 years ago. The drug epidemic has only become worse and has all but taken over the face of Port Angeles. I wouldn't expect an article in the PDN to prevent that, but it was and still is an issue which deserves serious coverage. Ultimately the PDN is not a serious news organization.
PDN has been on its last legs for a long time, and no wonder. I can just sign up for Facebook again if I want to read low-quality local drivel.
They want us to read the daily drivel to distract us from what's going on under our noses.
You nailed it! Keep Americans confused or fighting with each other. That distracts us from issues our elected or (appointed) officials should be engaged in, but somehow are busy with enriching themselves. Or spending time smoking the peace pipe, as it were, with the tribe. PDN is drivel, I’ve written drivel. I recognize it when I see it. Too bad.
Good local papers are a community backbone, others are a shame.
The first thing that the press needs to do is apologize for lying to the people at the behest of the establishment. Without a sincere apology the press as we know it is dead. In addition to that they need to hold truth to power and not simply parroting the establishment narrative. 👍😃
There's got to be a reason they want the money funneled through the Events Center, why not just handle it themselves? And if they use the Events Center, because it's a non profit would public records be available? It would be interesting to see who donates, then see if those people (or businesses or tribes etc.) are given special treatment in the PDN. But then I suppose we already know what the answer to that would be.
Field Hall is getting another $60k approved by the commissioners this week. They are underwater, it cost way too much to build, and isn't bringing in the revenue they projected. Field Hall and the PDN are in the same boat looking for handouts.
Jeff, so we have two Titanics? Which one has the band?
Titanic has sent out an SOS, and the Lusitania is headed for the rescue.
With pizza!!!!
Just another tactic of "hide the special interest" money that is so prevalent these days. We seen it demonstrated with so many NGO'S, and other activist organizations of late.
The PDN is the finest small market newspaper in the country. I don’t understand all the derision. It simply has no peer for wrapping fish, lining puppy litter boxes and the bottoms of bird cages.
GM Lol!
😄
Sequim Gazette is a good runner-up, but with fewer pages to perform household tasks. Once I thought I read something interesting in PDN, but I think I’m mistaken.
Eloquently stated! This is the exact reason I gave up my PDN subscription. Zero accountability of the sources of power in our community. Zero investigative reporting. There are so few places (if any) one can truly get balanced news. Unfortunately even with the wonderful reporting at CC Watchdog, it often ends up being an echo chamber. I think it is natural for people to seek out those who are like-minded, but this is all contributing to the polarization of our society. We need to restore some semblance of balance. Those running the PDN would be smart to start printing your articles….perhaps readership would rise all around!
I just imagine a large group of attendees standing up and walking out immediately after the self-loathing land declaration. Like "oh, well I don't want any part of this oppressive gathering!"
We must have TRUE investigative journalism. Mearly reprinting the words of politicians is ONLY reporting. That's what TV reporters do. They only read what's written for them . A journalist digs deep into the topic: origin, follows the money, supporters of influence both known and hiding in the background. They interview many people both pro and con on topic. They research other / similar topics and their outcomes. A true journalist develops an in-depth, truthful, investigative piece. Since such work is usually fairly voluminous, the resulting article is frequently published over several editions of the paper.
Locals are looking for exactly such indepth information. They will buy the paper if they are confident of its truthful, complete reporting. A local paper is very important to the community, but only if it publishes the WHOLE unvarnished story.