What's inside the Insider?
Recently, around 20,000 area addresses received the inaugural issue of a new monthly publication called The Bergen Insider. Identifying itself as "a new voice in our communities," the Teaneck-based Insider claims to have been "created by a group of leading business and community leaders interested in a publication that is knowledgeable and supportive of the towns it serves." The unmistakeable suggestion is, of course, that current media offerings are neither knowledgeable nor supportive enough for the founders. It is unlikely that the Insider seeks to differentiate itself from the little read Bergen Press-Journal. Rather, it appears that the opening salvo has been fired in a new tabloid war between this young upstart and the old Teaneck Suburbanite.
Though the Insider is circulated to Englewood, Bergenfield, and New Milford in addition to Teaneck, the first issue's focuses squarely on Teaneck news and issues. Most of the column inches are dedicated to articles about the DMV move to Teaneck Rd., the potential multi-use development on American Legion Drive, former Councilman Yitz Stern's thoughts on current affairs, and recent consultations between Teaneck municipal officials and state legislators. Additionally, five out of six news briefs are about Teaneck. When one also considers the fact that the editor of the Insider is none other than former Suburbanite editor Beverly O'Shea, it becomes even clearer that the Insider is out to eat the Teaneck Suburbanite's lunch.
While I am no fan of the Suburbanite, I am skeptical of the Insider if it aims to set itself apart from the Suburbanite by being "supportive." Though Suburbanite articles are often sloppily edited or unbalanced, and the publication certainly deserved the sharp criticism it received for inappropriate use of religious labels to group Council members, the problem with the Suburbanite is not that it is not supportive enough of Teaneck. The problem is that it is only one voice, and the interests and agendas of its writers and editors as reflected in its articles shape the views held by many Teaneck residents who are never exposed to any other perspectives on local affairs. Bravo to the Insider for seeking to change that with an attractive, professional looking first issue. Let's hope the Insider will contribute to Teaneck not by shying away from controversy but by courting it when necessary to advance the public debate.
posted by Teaneck Blog @ 10:01 AM
9 Comments:
Yitz Stern's column about the great concerns of Teaneck residents left me wondering how soon after leaving office did he identify them. Not a lot of great activity in addressing these issues during his many years on the Board.
Not sure about that. Stern did indeed make these points (even in print) during his tenure, even if he was a part of a Council that didn't make great progress on the issue.
Doesn't much matter anyway. Those who put their faith in development as the solution to Teaneck's troubles are going to be sorely disappointed.
very interesting....
lets hope that we now have a paper that will be pro TEANECK as well as report and quote clearly and be accurate as well.
GOOD LUCK TO THE INSIDER
Here's my advice to Beverly O'Shea: Start an online newspaper rather than a print paper. The benefits are obvious: Instant publication as the news stories break. Less expensive. Kills fewer trees.
While there are still a limited number of people who get their news online, their ranks are growing and within our generation the newspaper as we know it will cease to exist.
Those who put their faith in development as the solution to Teaneck's troubles are going to be sorely disappointed.
Amen.
You asked the wrong question. The question should be "Whose behind the Insider?"
The Suburbanite has not been a good friend of Teaneck's. The Suburbanite has been biased against Teaneck, always showing the worst about Teaneck. But at least its neutral. It doesn't seem to favor any person, candidate or group in town.
The Insider (even the name should make us worried) starts off saying that its been created "by a group of leading business and community leaders" and is "committed to supporting the ideas, projects and initiatives that will make our towns better places." Who are these "leaders" why don't they identify themselves. What are the projects this group of leaders are pushing? Who is putting up the money for starting up this new paper? No ones telling at the Insider.
The paper says its being sent to Teaneck, Englewood, Bergenfield and New Milford. About the only things these towns have in common is a large Orthodox population. The ads in this paper are mostly for kosher restaurants and Orthodox-owned businesses and the articles about the webbe rebbe, a kosher restaurant review, a jewish softball team and Yitz Stern, are all aimed directly at the Orthodox community in Teaneck.
It is election season, but its amazing that a brand new paper was able to get two full page ads from the local Democrat machine makes it look like Teaneck is becoming more and more partisan.
Teaneck needs another voice, but we need to know whose voice we're hearing. Didn't we have enough of these illegal anonymous postcards in the last election that we don't need an anonymous newspaper???? It looks like the 2008 Teaneck elctions have already started.
a little attitude !!!!!!
I totally agree with the above postings...it's very thinly disguised as a "new newspaper" -- check out the ads, if you have any doubts. The writing isn't bad (Beverly, after all, is a good writer), but looking at the masthead, I had the same suspicions. Where are all the names of those who make up a nespaper organization?
We need a good weekly, not just a monthly, which the Insider appears to be. Can it even get financing now that the election is over?
Not many people know this blog exists. How would an electronic paper get traction?
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