Editor's Desk: We Had to Ask

By Michael F. Flach
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 10/3/02)

I mentioned in this space a few weeks ago about a readership survey conducted by Marketing Analysis Associates of San Diego. Two thousand random subscribers were asked to give their responses to a variety of questions.

Disregarding the old adage, "be careful what you ask for," we included the following question: "If you could be editor of the HERALD for one month, what changes would you make in the paper?"

Our readership is truly diverse and their answers did not disappoint. One common suggestion was a greater emphasis on apologetics.

"Start a column specifically geared toward defending the faith," said one reader. "More question and answer columns on the Catholic faith."

"Explain and address current issues in the Church in simple, yes and no answers."

I’m constantly told that the letters to the editor page is the first section that many readers turn to each week. Some want more.

"Expand the letters to the editor section to one full page," said one reader. Expand Coming Events "to one full page and print items which may be of interest to Catholics but are not necessarily parish-related. Also, print many more articles on the victims of clergy abuse and their families and how these people were allowed to continue their terrible conduct."

"I would not print any letters to the editor from anyone who does not live in our diocese," wrote another reader. "So often these letters appear to be ‘plants’ from special interest groups (usually in dissent from Church teaching). Keep the dialogue within our own diocese. Otherwise, I love the paper."

Another reader thought we should print more letters from people who disagree or question editorials and articles.

The "conservative" tone of the paper was a bone of contention for many. One reader said "more balanced viewpoints" are needed, while another insisted that, "almost everything is ultra-conservative."

Another wanted "greater coverage of, or at least discussion of, the more liberal Catholic writers and scholars."

"Include commentary from religious with a more progressive viewpoint. Presently, the commentary and editorials are much too conservative and restrictive. Where is the joy in worship?"

"I would present a more diverse view of Catholics and Catholicism. There would be more emphasis on social justice and less on the official Catholic view."

A more open forum with an opportunity for questions and answers was still another suggestion. "I would also encourage ‘guest editor’ columns. How about a contest? It would get people thinking and writing about their faith, plus maybe put the HERALD in touch with some fine writers right in their own back yard."

Presentation, not content, was the concern of others. "Use color photographs throughout the paper," wrote one. "Provide better photos and graphics," said another.

"Predictability is fine, but the paper really doesn’t change much from week to week. There is always the very same type of stories, always laid out the same way, always with the same types of pictures."

One reader thought the HERALD should have an abbreviated directory of the Catholic churches in the general area the paper covers. "The directory could be by general neighborhood, such as Arlington, Falls Church, McLean, etc., with church addresses, Sunday Mass schedules and Saturday confession times."

My three favorite comments were simple and to the point:

"The paper could not be improved."

"Your present edition doesn’t need my help."

"No one would read the HERALD if I were in charge." — M.F.F.

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