What is the PD's role as the Rams' hometown newspaper?

[AvengerRam]

This was prompted by a discussion in another thread.

What is the role of the PD, given its status as the Rams' hometown newspaper?

[AvengerRam]

In a perfect world, I might prefer option 4.
In the real world, I voted for option 3.
I think the PD views its role as option 2.
They behave, however, in a manner more consistent with option 5.

[r8rh8rmike]

I see option 3 as an appropriate role, but as you pointed out Av, things aren't always the way they should be.

[Rambos]

I voted. To act as journalists and focus on the Rams while keeping their subjective commentary to a minimum.

If I tune into a sports talk show, I expect to hear hot air and can take it or leave it. If I pick up a paper, just give me the facts. Since the Rams have moved the one thing I don't miss is local media reporting on the team.

[gap]

I live in the real world, so I voted what happens there. Outside of the real world, and what they SHOULD do, I would expect 3 and 4.


gap

[laram0]

I went with #3. Although #4 is ok with me as well. I want to read and/or hear the facts and opinions of the journalists that are a lot closer (geographically) to the team then I am.

[live4ramin]

#3, but above all tell the truth. Then all interests are served.

[live4ramin]

If their function were #1 we would never get any news.

[HUbison]

In the real world their role is #4. But in that same real world, they often fail in their role.

[Rambunctious]

It's a little muddy. If they are like the paper I work for they have 1) Beat writers/reporters that should cover the Rams as journalist... but they also have 2) Columnist which are paid to cover the team but also give their opinions to a degree. Most columnist should not strive to be homers or anti-homers but just be willing to call sh*&, sh*& and shinola, shinola.

For instance less than two weeks away from their opening game the Kentucky football team hadn't declared a starting quarterback. One of our guys wrote a column on how history doesn't favor such a tardy decision. Fans were not pleased but he won't always write negative about the team.

[Nick]

It's a little muddy. If they are like the paper I work for they have 1) Beat writers/reporters that should cover the Rams as journalist... but they also have 2) Columnist which are paid to cover the team but also give their opinions to a degree.

Yeah, it's easy to see where the line can be blurred at times, especially when the beat writers/reporters cross over and write some opinion pieces.

For me, the only answer is Option #4 ("To act as journalists and focus on the Rams while keeping their subjective commentary to a minimum.").

Option #3 seems to be the other horse in this race, which frankly I don't really understand. Covering the team from a Rams fan's perspective sounds like an appropriate role for the team website, but not for an independent local news organization.

[ramsanddodgers]

Subjective journalism? Yet another oxymoron ....