For an in-class field trip, we traveled to the Times and Democrat, the local newspaper of Orangeburg, SC. There we received a grand tour and garnered some interesting knowledge pertaining to the rise and fall of newspapers in American society.
Harter showed us an era where the newspapers are pressed and printed. The rolls of paper were massive, resembling bales of hay.
"We're in the middle of our most expensive business model of running a newspaper", Harter claimed.
As time has progressed, the amount of people that read newspapers has drastically decreased as a result of the technological revolution.
Since the newspapers are in less demand, it costs more to fund it. Not only does the company print local newspapers, it also prints coupon paper for the local grocery chain Piggly Wiggly.
Harter also expressed his dissatisfaction with some elements of the AP Style Book. He disliked how long it took make some very simple changes, specifically percentages. "The whole world knows what the percent symbol means”, Harter claimed. Copy editing is only as meticulous c it’s the edition makes it , but according to Harter, the less value judgment that is done, the better.
Overall the trip was very informational and gave a glimpse of the newspaper world. I enjoyed the experience and Mr. Harvey's comical relief from time to time.
