Naylor: If you don’t think it’s news, you’re probably not local
It takes thick skin to be a digital editor in today’s media landscape. You can’t allow yourself to bend to the hordes of attacking trolls, meme ninjas or .gif barbarians, even when the words “did you see that comment?” constantly echo from friends, colleagues and all corners of the newsroom.
But if there’s one thing that gets me fired up, it’s when someone comments with “this isn’t news.”
Really? Did the crime story not meet the required body count, guy from Chicago? Sorry, we’re not sorry, Ms. Californian, that we decided to skip on this year’s wildfire season. And Texas, we all know why you’re here, so just enjoy it, won’t ya?
In the age of media sensationalism, I find it rather fortunate that readers in our niche market want to hear about snowsports, wildlife and the small-town issues in each of the communities we cover. After all, most people come here for one unifying reason: this place is nothing like where they come from.
We’ll leave DC politics to the talking heads on broadcast media, as our private jet has been grounded over a faulty mini-fridge, causing an inhabitable work environment. It’s OK; we’re grounded in Vail, and that’s where we want to be.
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If you follow us regularly, you’ll know plenty of interesting things are happening right here. We get our fair share of crime, and whenever those sirens are screaming, Randy Wyrick is writing it up. Our land disputes make this valley look like the board game Catan, and Pam Boyd and Scott Miller are running the board. Chris Freud reports on high school sports with the same levels of enthusiasm as a homer for the San Francisco Giants; good luck finding that elsewhere. And if anything juicy happens on the slopes, John LaConte is dropping in on the action and sometimes putting down his GoPro to get immersed and help. We’ve also got the valley’s robust cultural scene covered with Casey Russell, Ross Leonhart and Tricia Swenson. Music, dance, theatre, art, speakers, tastings and sips — if something’s happening, we’re there writing about it or documenting it with original video on our various digital and social media channels.
This is your local news team; and if you ask me, it doesn’t get any better.
So next time you’re about to submit that unfathomable comment, remember this: we live in a beautiful place, most outsiders envy our way of life, and the fact that our news would be perceived as boring to those outsiders isn’t a critique of our coverage — it’s actually a testament to our valley’s awesomeness. I wouldn’t have it any other way, would you?
Digital engagement editor Sean Naylor is a loose cannon. He can be reached at snaylor@vaildaily.com. Follow him on Instagram @spnaylzz.