Aaron's Real Opinions (Yikes!)

Rocky Mountain News Publisher Tells All
06-23-05

On "The Aaron Harber Show" tonight (KBDI-TV Channel 12 at 9:00 pm, Friday, June 17th) and this Sunday (2:00 pm, Sunday, June 19th), the President, Publisher, and Editor of the Rocky Mountain News, John Temple, goes one-on-one for the first time since he took control of the newspaper Temple talks about the competition between the Denver Post and the Rocky Mountain News as well as how he runs the newspaper and the extent of his involvement in the day-to-day operation of the enterprise as well as the newsroom decision-making process. He even admits he has the front page sent to him at home every night for his review and approval.

Temple talks about the differences between the Rocky and the Post in terms of the physical advantage the Rocky has as a tablod -- a highly desirable format -- versus the less desirable broadsheet format of the Post. He also argues the Rocky is more focused on the Front Range and is seen more as a community newspaper. The Joint Operating Agreement between the Rocky and the Post also is examined in terms of 10- and 20-fold increases in subscription and advertising rates.

Temple discloses the details of the Denver Newspaper Agency's "YourHub.com" initiative in which readers can post their own stories and pictures on a community-by-community basis. The concept is to use "participatory journalism" to create the equivalent of 40 local, electronic daily newspapers. The concept of "Reverse Publishing" in which the Web is the readers' domain.

Temple also takes a position in the debate about whether or not newspapers should offer their product at no charge to the public. The show also explores the extraordinary 48-page commitment to investigating and analyzing "the graduation gap" in the Denver Public Schools -- an extraordinary commitment. Temple explains how the series is a function of his belief that the Rocky is a member of the community and needs to take steps to directly serve the community.

The show also looks at the question of whether or not the Rocky either missed, did not cover or was late on important stories. The Rocky's failure to thoroughly address key economic issues also is debated in terms of the extent of the coverage given and whether or not readers care to read more about such complicated or even boring issues.

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Aaron Harber hosts "The Aaron Harber Show," seen Fridays at 9:00 pm and Sundays at 2:00 pm on PBS Station KBDI-TV Channel 12. Please go to www.HarberTV.com for more information. Send your comments and topic suggestions for both columns and TV shows to Aaron@HarberTV.com. You also may view programs on a 24/7 basis via the "Broadcast Videos" section of the Website. Many of Aaron's columns also are available on the Website on the page entitled "Aaron's Opinions." You often can find them in The Colorado Statesman (www.ColoradoStatesman.com) as well as in The Denver Daily News (www.DenverDailyNews.com).

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