The Dec. 31 Herald story, “So long, 2014: Tragedy prevails among year’s top local stories,” was a poor editorial choice. It was framed as “events affecting La Plata County” but the standard was “measured by online visits,” which resulted in the saddest and most shocking stories.
When did the number of hits to a newspaper’s online site become the basis to judge what’s affecting the local community? Equating website hits to real local impact is not a logical conclusion, and it’s not good journalism. No doubt, the families which are the subject of this tragedy recap have been most affected, and the Earley family further harmed by the Herald’s reminder; all the more reason you should’ve taken a more journalistic approach.
Readers would have been better-served with a review of stories to remind us of past accomplishments or the year’s shortcomings, but the Herald instead chose to – yet again – sensationalize tragedy.
Naomi Dobbs
Durango
