The Front Page

Every now and then, someone will ask about the Laredo Morning Times front page. We hear complaints that LMT doesn't focus on "good" news, that we somehow like/don't like a person, agency or thing and that's why we did/didn't publish a story, that we're just interested in selling papers.

Often these comments come from people who don't even read the paper, hence their lack of information. Recently, a local media relations person complained on social media for all the world to see that Laredo Morning Times never prints good news. Obviously, she hadn't read the paper. She made her comments a couple of days after we had put her client on the front page. We didn't put it because it was her, but because the subject was important. Catholic Social Services is a vital part of our community, and it had just had its first recognition dinner, honoring Martin and Odilia Cuellar, a couple who raised a successful group of sons and daughters (yes, I know the correct term is "reared" but most people use the word "raised" -- English is a dynamic language). That was definitely worthy of the front page. Does this woman's comments mean we won't put her clients on the cover again? No. Taking unfair criticism is just part of our job. What we put on the front page is what we believe is the most important news of the day, regardless of who does or doesn't support it.

In deciding what goes on the front page, we look for things that are interesting, things that educate without lecturing, things that tell the reader something he or she might not know. Critics are correct in saying that we want to sell the paper; after all, we are a business that needs to make a profit. We have to sell our product to make money, to pay for employees and production. We have a public responsibility to ensure the public is informed, to protect the public's right to know -- it's a responsibility we take very seriously. But if don't make money, we won't have a product. Simple as that.

So we have to balance selling papers with doing our public duty. For example, stories about crime capture the public interest. Papers with crimes stories on the front page sell considerably more than other editions, not because they're sensational but because they give the public information they want. As I've explained, however, those aren't the only kinds of stories we publish. The story about Catholic Social Services probably didn't boost sales significantly, but it belonged on the front page.

What goes on the front page also depends on what events occur on a particular day. Major breaking news takes priority over pre-planned events. There are times when something makes it to the front page because it's a slow news day. There are also times when something that would normally go on the front page ends up inside because there is so much major news going on that there's simply no room on the cover. That's when teasers -- the photos and words at the top of the page -- take on more importance. They give readers information about what's inside the paper.

As to publishing something controversial, the main requirement we have to meet is accuracy. Facts must be verified before publication and stories need to be balanced, with all sides presented, even if it's a "no comment." I have had the honor of being Editor of Laredo Morning Times for six years Not once in that time have we cancelled a story or refused to print one because it involved an advertiser or a prominent civic leader. That's not ethical. it's not the way we do business.

This is just a brief explanation of how we choose what goes on the front page. Nobody's perfect, and you may not always agree with our choices. But we are committed to our community and we always strive to do our best. If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know. I can be reached at 728-2581 or at dfuentes@lmtonlne.com