Rhino's Ramblings - Why Did You Ask That?

By Robert Thomas Opinion/Commentary

It’s something I was asked by a few over the phone and that is why would I ask questions about the City of Moose Jaw not advertising in the Moose Jaw Express?

What value do I see in asking a question which would help a ‘competitor' in a time when they are likely down?

It’s quite simple.

I came out of the newspaper industry and despite what so many younger, and not so young, people are telling you newspapers – such as the Moose Jaw Express – still play a very pivotal role in not just ours but other communities as well.

I base it upon not just my own experiences at the local paper almost 30 years ago but what people tell me.

To fully understand why you just need to look no further than the demographics. Seniors make up a large part of the community.

Many still rely on the local newspaper.

Anecdotally I am also hearing from seniors in my own neighbourhood – either on the phone or when I take that thrice weekly walk to pick up God forbid the mail - what exactly is the City doing?

I am still finding more than a few asking me questions of where to find the basic information they need to get through the Covid – 19 pandemic successfully.

And these are people who are in that risk group, or just shy of it, we are trying to help and save.

People need to understand, and in my opinion, at least a couple at City Hall need to realize this, news for a majority of older people, amongst others, comes in two main forms into their homes.

And they are television and the newspaper.

I do not know how many countless times people have asked me since September why hasn’t Moose Jaw changed their signs from 40 km/hr in school zones when the “news” on television tells them it is now 30 km/hr?

The fact is school zones and their speed limits are set by the local municipality and what people are watching is in fact the Regina news.

It seems to be a fact missed during what many are seeing as a crisis. A crisis where the necessary facts are not permeating out to the community in the manner thst they should.

Personally I am starting to worry the people most vulnerable, the people who the authorities are trying to help with this lockdown are missing the information they may well need to get through this.

The thing is we will never really know.

That is unless some time in the future a family approaches the local media about the impact not knowing some vital information had on them.

Here is hoping it is not a tragedy.

It is a story I do not want to write.

Plus one I’m guessing City Hall does not want to respond to is my best guess.

During the news conference and it’s rapid end many have asked – through Direct Messaging or actually posting – what is the City trying to accomplish with these news briefings that in many ways tell us nothing new?

First off this is the opportunity to address the citizens of Moose Jaw and keep its citizens advised of what’s happening and try to place some calm out there in rapidly changing and turbulent times.

It is sort of like what you have been seeing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and US President Donald Trump do on a daily basis.

Reassure the nation with what you are doing, take media questions and then often abruptly end it for the day to repeat the cycle once again.

But in Moose Jaw's case they are also trying to reach the Regina media to call in and ask questions.

Something which largely has not happened.

I have spoken to a few I know personally in the out of town media and in reality Moose Jaw in many ways is off of their radar.

Especially during the Covid – 19 pandemic when there is more than enough to cover locally and disseminate throughout the province as a whole.

And besides the local Moose Jaw media is well aware of what is transpiring and has this covered.

The big bump and a report out of Moose Jaw to the TV just is not happening unless it is major crime related it seems.

But was more said beneath the covers so to speak at the news conference.

In my opinion trying to deflect my questions of not getting the City's message out onto the newspaper itself for not doing its job lacks a full understanding of what’s happening. It could well be called buck passing by some.

But here is the problem as I see it.

The City has sort of laid the blame on the Moose Jaw Express if their message is not getting out through press releases.

There is or should be no need for ads.

But it does not take very long to see that many could hold an opinion if there is no need for ads but the City's message is getting out OK through news releases, media contacts and the weekly news conference why is the City buying on-line ads at Discovermoosejaw.com which is powered by the radio stations?

Why isn’t the City holding them up to the same standards as the Moose Jaw Express?

Is the City saying they trust the Express to get the message out more effectively so they don’t need to buys ads but they don't when it comes to DMJ?

In my own opinion it’s all a little bit confusing.

I certainly hope it is not a case of favourtism on the part of City Hall in tough times for local small business.

This is just my opinion but is the City placing their bets on a medium less likely to ask hard questions or venture into the controversial?

A City Hall which has for well over a year before the Covid – 19 pandemic struck has done more and more business in-camera and behind closed doors then it’s predecessor did in four years. And that is a factual statement.

It is also – whether they like to admit it or not – a City Hall in my opinion seemingly drifting more arms length and distant from many of the ordinary residents it serves.

Social distancing in my eyes has been going on for quite some time in other forms we just have as a city not been able to admit it.

The sad part is the people seemingly paying for it right now are the very people who we are trying to protect in this Covid – 19 lockdown.

At least a few cannot get the direct local information – they use to get through a City paid for ad in the newspaper - which could end a lot of stress and save lives.

Something which is handy, does not require a computer nor time to boot up. When you are done with it you can use it to line your birdcage, kitty litter box or garbage can. You just need to grab it. It’s called a newspaper.

Here is hoping it does not lead to tragedy because of it.

As an additional note and disclaimer articles and opinions I have written have appeared in the Moose Jaw Express but I have a policy about the things I personally write and that is if any media wants to use it – go ahead. Just give me credit is all I ask.

And yes to answer an obvious question - I am certain more than a few budgies over the years have made good use of some of my best work. I’m hopeful they enjoyed it.