EDITORIAL: NO FEAR

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Houston journalism just won't be the same without competition

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-- Former Post Editor David Burgin

A disturbing trend has swept across the state of Texas and the country at large. Newspapers are folding.

The Houston Post closed its doors on April 18, 1995, after a 115-year history. In the past four years, three major cities in the state of Texas have lost major newspapers. Besides Houston, San Antonio lost the San Antonio Light in 1993, and Dallas lost the Dallas Times Herald in 1991.

Some would say, "Well, that's the business world," but that is not the point.

Ask any journalist what is his or her worst fear. Getting sued for libel might come up a couple of times, but the resounding answer would be, "I have always feared getting totally scooped by the competition."

Exit the second major newspaper in three major cities -- no competition, no fear.

While some studies over the past couple years show that there is little to no impact on the second paper when the major competitor folds, the real effects are evident. Take the Dallas Morning News for instance. It is one of the top 10 papers in the country, but the staff has become decidely desensitized to the community it serves.

Rice students from San Antonio have said that the better newspaper folded in their hometown.

What is happening to the free press that this country was built on?

USA Today President Al Neuharth said the newspaper in its current form will never die, but 22 major newspapers have failed since 1983.

Journalism is about stress and fear. Being able to pound out a 1,500-word story about corruption in the city council with one hour till deadline. Making sure to get the story before your competition.

In terms of the Houston Post , the loss of that institution was handled almost as poorly as the firing of legendary Dallas Cowboys Football Coach Tom Landry.

The staff found out about the closing through e-mail and newscasts. Correspondents in foreign countries were stranded in those countries. There was no final good-bye. Houston journalism may not have ever been the best in the world, but at least it had heart.

Not anymore.

This item appeared in the Opinion section of the April 21, 1995 issue.

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