Community journalism at work: Once again, the Hood County News is winning awards

FROM MY FRONT PORCH

Sam Houston is the publisher of the Hood County News. He is also an actor, author, playwright, performer and entertainment producer/promoter.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to travel to Nacogdoches for the purpose of attending the North and East Texas Press Convention. The annual event hosts newspapers from the northern and eastern sections of the state, where we share ideas, discuss mutual problems and listen to informative presentations about our industry. As a relative newcomer to journalism, I have found these meetings to be enlightening and very supportive. I look forward to learning from my contemporaries while creating new professional relationships.

One portion of the meeting is dedicated to the “Better Newspaper Contest.”  Regional newspapers submit their best entries in numerous newspaper categories from the past year, and the entries are then judged by outside professional journalists. Recognition is given in areas from writing, to photography, to design.

I am proud to share with you the Hood County News won first place in three different categories: advertising, layout, and headline writing. We also were finalists in several other categories.

It is truly rewarding to be recognized by your peers for excellence. The staff of the HCN works very hard to be the very best community newspaper in Texas.

Newspapers are changing because our society is changing. We no longer live in the 1950s — an era in which almost all news and information consumed by the public came from newsprint and radio. The internet and the cell phone have changed the world and given people instant access to tons of information that had never previously been accessible.

However, the newspaper remains acutely relevant. Who else but your local newspaper is going to keep you informed about your local schools, your city and county government, clubs and organizations, and tell you interesting and entertaining stories about your friends and neighbors? There is a substantial difference between social media gossip and rumors, and “news” that has been vetted for accuracy, fairness, and truth.

Upon taking control of Hood County News nearly three years ago, we have made significant changes in how the newspaper is presented, its size and its message. I am acutely aware we still have a few detractors. I appreciate criticisms from those who hope to make us better and even more relevant. I am thick skinned regarding comments from those who do not wish to take responsibility for their actions and find it convenient to blame the press. I assure you no reader is more critical of the product we produce than our staff.

Are there times we fall short of our own expectations? Of course, and when that happens, we pick ourselves up and work to do better … every single day … every single edition.

Last year the HCN was recognized by the Texas Press Association for being the best bi-weekly paper in the entire state of Texas! Such an award speaks volumes about the quality of the product we are producing. Over the past three years, I have seen many locals transcend from being opposed to the newspaper’s tone and message, to now referring to the HCN as their newspaper, and say so with a sense of pride in their community. Our advertising sales are up, as are subscriptions. We are in fact, “the fastest growing newspaper in Texas.”

We are not resting on our laurels. We are making changes that will come to light in the next few weeks and will make the Hood County News a bigger, more impactful, and more readable newspaper. We will have more breaking news appear on our website and social media to keep you informed as news occurs, but still create a print newspaper worthy of your readership. We will keep you informed, entertained, and educated about OUR community.

The Hood County News is one of the oldest and most awarded newspapers in the state of Texas. It is my honor to lead the men and women who work so hard to create each edition. Our upcoming changes will make us even better. The future of community journalism is about to unfold in front of your eyes, and we could not be more excited.

The Hood County News, here today and for a long time to come.

Thought for the day: Change for the better begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Until next time … I will keep ridin’ the storm out.

sam@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 260