The Truth Is Fit to Print

Re “Remember: You Can’t Swat a Fly With a Computer,” Commentary, May 8: Michael Kinsley laments the decrease in readership without coming to grips with the very serious reasons for it.

Current media (newspapers, TV, magazines, etc.) are filled with trivia and what “news” is permitted by the Bush administration’s censorship.

For example, I now merely glance at the front pages of the A and B sections, look over the obits, but read the editorials and letters (especially Robert Scheer).

What has happened to our news sources (with the exception of Jim Lehrer’s report on PBS -- and it, unfortunately, will soon go the same way) is nothing short of scandalous and pathetic. Investigative reporting and critical analysis of current events don’t seem to exist anymore -- there is only pandering to the administration because of publishers’ bottom lines.

How can we have an informed public/electorate when major news sources focus on Michael Jackson’s trial, runaway brides and similar opiates? And when they do report on politics and world news, they give us either pablum or the Bush line of the day?

Most of us don’t want to read and hear “talking points”; we want real news! My information these days comes from the Internet.

Jeane K. Bendorf

Sherman Oaks

*

Give people a reason to read the paper and print circulation will again rise rather than continue to decline. More news, expanded area coverage, real-world and useful news. Less Hollywood and more Main Street Los Angeles. A business section designed for individual investors, not the high corporate and legal types -- they have multiple outlets.

A “Metro” not a “California” section that gives focus to the 4 million of us who live in the confines of the city, not county. Lots of people, lots of amazing stories to be told.

A Sports section that requires more than two minutes to read. A Calendar section that is more than an ongoing movie ad. A front section of true meaning and put forward in such a way that will entice young and old alike (jump pages, OK).

Stronger, deeper coverage overall in your paper, and others, will bring newspapers alive again and win back both readers and advertisers. And keep Tribune’s profit margins at levels the folks in Chicago desire.

Ours is a unique, vibrant, diverse city, sadly now more separated than ever in many ways for many reasons, with fault to be found, in part, because The Times and other media outlets have lost connection, real connection. The reconnection can begin with The Times.

Paul N. Young

Los Angeles

*

The evil force causing people to stop reading newspapers is you. The Times is so one-sided (leftish) that I don’t bother to read your editorials or Opinion section. My major source of information is the Wall Street Journal and Fox News.

Myron D. Oakes

San Marino

*

The dumb get dumber, and dumber. There is a parallel to shrinking newspaper readership and an uninformed public. Our president, the one in the White House, admittedly said he doesn’t read the newspaper, only the headlines. Maybe he is president because those who voted for him don’t read the newspaper and are also part of the disappearing electorate.

Ken Johnson

Pinon Hills, Calif.

*

It’s no mystery why no one reads the newspaper anymore, and it has nothing to do with liberal or conservative bias.

The newspaper has ceased to serve its most important function: reporting the truth and letting the chips fall where they may.

For just one example, last week newspapers reported that the Pakistani government had captured a high-level Al Qaeda operative by the name of Abu Faraj Farj.

George Bush was quoted as saying this was “a critical victory in the war on terror” and the man was a “top general” and “a major facilitator and chief planner for the Al Qaeda network.”

Now, as it turns out, Farj is in reality, as opposed to in Washington, D.C., not a high-level Al Qaeda operative at all, but a bit player in the Al Qaeda organization. Yet not one reporter has held Bush accountable for his false statements.

If newspapers really want to stay in business, they are going to have to get back to their muckraking roots and start telling people the truth.

Rusty Austin

Culver City