May 12, 2020 | Providence Journal (RI)
To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur's farewell address to Congress in 1951, "Old publishers never die, they simply fade away."
There is an unwritten protocol that the publisher emeritus stays sanguine regarding the future of the enterprise and silent on newspaper issues.
The Providence Journal recently announced that it was discontinuing the publishing of editorials. This is clearly a corporate cost-cutting measure thinly veiled as eliminating any confusion readers might have between a newspaper's editorial stance and factual reporting. Apparently, the newspaper of record does not think that its readers are insightful enough to discern the distinction between news coverage and editorializing.
This is an affront to Rhode Islanders that causes me to break tradition and speak out.
For 15 years, I had the privilege of being the publisher of The Providence Journal. With that stewardship came the responsibility of overseeing the editorial position of a venerable, statewide newspaper of distinction.
Newspapers are a complex entity, producing and delivering valuable news and information every day.
Reporters are the heart of a newspaper and the editorial pages are its soul.
The Providence Journal has lost its soul.
During my tenure I was fortunate to have Edward Achorn head up our editorial pages and, before him, Robert Whitcomb. Two talented, dedicated, masterful writers who knew the nuances of crafting the paper's opinion into a well-honed editorial.
Under Ed Achorn's leadership The Providence Journal garnered numerous awards and recognition for consistently producing one of the finest editorial pages in the country. He consistently supported The Journal's mission of being an independent newspaper of unquestioned integrity dedicated to the welfare of Rhode Islanders.
Through its editorials, The Providence Journal spoke out against political corruption; opposed indoor prostitution and human trafficking; advanced the cause of gay rights; defended the public against the excessive power of special interests at the State House and in local communities; advocated for fair elections; encouraged spirited debate on key issues; championed equal justice under the law; insisted on government transparency; and defended the liberties of the people through the Bill of Rights, especially the First Amendment.
Through its editorials, The Journal sought a vibrant business climate in Rhode Island; demanded better public schools, especially for poor and minority students trapped in underperforming ones; and advanced such government reforms as separation of powers and the removal of the master lever in elections. Its editorials urged voters not to return corrupt politicians to power.
The Journal's editorials stepped on plenty of toes. But change for the better is not possible without offending someone.
The loss of this voice for the people of Rhode Island is a sad chapter in the storied history of The Journal.
I fear that the story is nearing its conclusion.
Bang the drum slowly. Play the pipe lowly.
Howard G. Sutton II was publisher of The Providence Journal from 1999 to 2014.
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