Newspapers in America are in the midst of an historic transition. Faced with declining readership, weak advertising ad revenues and the high cost of doing business, you have to ask yourself – who will survive?
I have been reading Indian Country Today long before it was purchased by the Oneida and what I have witnessed is a drastic change to 2,000 word essays, out of the mainstream commentaries, and pure idiotic articles designed to fill space. It’s not what people are looking to read because it is dramatically different than when it was owned by a Lakota man from Pine Ridge. What is found in ICT now is not journalism but narcissistic rubbish.
Traditionally, editorial boards guided their newspapers and served as a brain trust navigating a myriad of issues. Reading the list of names on Indian Country Today’s editorial board I can see why a once great newspaper has seen its last days.
As for printing letters to the editor, not printing them is illogical, cowardly and this kind of censorship is unheard of in journalistic circles.
By converting Indian Country Today to a magazine format, be advised that magazines across this country have lost 7.5 percent of their readers in the last three years. And when ICT made its switch the first thought I had was that I cannot think of anyone wanting to purchase a weak circulation dinosaur running on empty. I know I won’t waste my money on it.
As for the attacks upon Tim Giago by Ray Cook and others, Tim should never worry because his accomplishments, and his legacy is deep rooted and his accomplishments in the private sector (business) are only dreams for most people. Tim should pay no mind to the jealous detractors and envious critics.
None of them has ever paid a capital gains tax or met a payroll using their own revenues as Tim has done for nearly 30 years. Most of them have fed at the federal or tribal government trough throughout their entire careers.
History will show that no one will remember the names of the people claiming to be columnists and journalists until and unless their work can stand the test of time.
Giago’s writings have served as a source of inspiration for many aspiring young Native journalists for more than 30 years and I have seen his words carried on posters at Indian protests across America.
I subscribe to his Native Sun News now and in my humble opinion it is one of the truly great Indian newspapers left in America. It’s newspapers that are independent of tribal government that will survive and NSN is one of them.
Ron S. Holt, Nez Perce, is the former President and CEO of KHMT TV in Billings, Montana and he can be reached at P.O. Box 774, Lapwai, Idaho, 83540.
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