I was tasked with paging through a Northern Ireland newspaper and commenting on an article within with my American sentimentalities. Fortunately, as would be the case, I frequently flout the prompts that we’re given to write about something I want to write about.
I wanted to talk about what struck me when flipping through the Armagh Observer. I’m familiar with the charm of local press. I delivered the Capital Gazette, a local paper out of Annapolis, every day for about five years. But my local paper was quite different from the local paper here. The Capital Gazette frequently pontificated on foreign affairs and national politics as well as sensational crime stories around the country. But the Armagh Observer, based on my limited, one-day exposure, had no less than 10 pages of local citizen birthday photos. One story spoke about crime, but a clear majority talked about school children flying American flags on the Fourth of July and local environmental regulations. It truly was local news. It’s a completely different state of mind it seems, to embrace those nearby rather than to obsess over the big picture. It’s unlike anything I’ve personally experienced in my life in America.
solid journalism work Chris Warman. 😐
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