September 9, 2004

January 13, 2004

Mission Statement—Reader's Survey

by Christopher Menkin
Editor/Publisher

 

The 452 readers who responded to our survey want us to “stay the course.” There were two anonymous messages, and a few other signed messages, that centered around “cronyism.”

While it is natural for me to print e-mail from old friends, and promote those who gives us “leads” and “inside information,” I got the message. In 2004, it is my intention to limit the repeat e-mail of the “regulars” or “old friends,” and strive more to get a “new mix.”

We will “de-emphasis” leasing association news as readers say they “get enough” from their own association, plus many who appear at leasing conferences belong to many.

It also appears the overwhelming majority want press releases: want us to continue the candor; less leasing association news, as they get it direct; and had some recommendations, such as putting press releases in one area near the end, and not knocking ourselves out by going “to press” every day.

There were very few negative comments, almost 100% positive and encouraging. This has renewed my faith in my original purpose of sending an e-mail about what was happening in the leasing industry.

The last year I have been taken to task by attorneys on the telephone and in depositions, one lasted a full day with not only a court reporter, plus it was video taped with a bright light in my face as if I was being interrogated. The attorneys all seem to begin with this question: What is the purpose of Leasing News? To me, they all seemed surprised that I answer quickly.

“Independent, unbiased and fair news about the Leasing Industry.”

It appears on our mast head, and is the basis of our mission.

We do not represent any leasing association or special interest, nor are we seeking any financial benefits, except for advertising to help meet expenses. We have placed “advertisers” in our complaint bulletin board, letting them no they no longer can advertise here. If we have a conflict of interest, we will so state in the news story.

We will print when there is “sufficient equipment leasing news,” and if not, we don't just want to fill up space.

The policy, or terms and conditions, if you will, of Leasing News is also on the web site. And it is printed in every e-mail edition.

http://www.leasingnews.org/policy.htm

The Leasing News Advisory Board is chosen by the publisher. They are not financially compensated. They participate in the overall direction of our electronic newspaper. As with a printed newspaper, it is the editor's sole discretion as to what is printed and not printed; not the board of directors or any advisory board.

We also follow the printed newspaper policy that if an opinion or viewpoint is expressed, the writer or writers will be named in the by-line of the article. Opinions and viewpoints are allowed when the article is signed by the writer, as is the policy of Associated Press.

Leasing News will continue to be a crusader of ideas; a provocateur of thought.

We also continue as an ombudsman to help “arbitrate, negotiate,” “resolve” complaints, answer specific questions that readers may have, help provide solutions, sources, contacts, tools, resources, and make available the truth of what is really happening in the leasing industry.

“Don't Ever Give Up!”

Christopher "Kit" Menkin,
Editor/Publisher
January 13,2004

The Mission of “The World” newspaper

“An institution which should always fight for progress and reform; never tolerate injustice or corruption; always fight demagogues of all parties; never belong to any party; always oppose privileged classes and public plunder; never lack sympathy with the poor; always remain devoted to the public welfare; never be satisfied with merely printing the news; always be drastically independent; never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.”

October 30,1911 Frank J. Cobb, editor, “The World”

 His statement is a quote from the publisher Joseph Pulitzer's retirement speech on April 10,1907.

To view the entire survey, please go here:

http://www.leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/Readers_Survey.htm

 

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