The loss of the Rocky Mountain News in Denver is like a death in the family.  It’s the missed conversations, the lost holidays and the sense that something is not there that should be there.  You feel this deep sense of loss months after the death of a parent, sibling, spouse or good friend.  I’m just now really appreciating what the Rocky meant to me.  My sense of loss is greater now than the day the publications ceased.

Like many consumers of news, I am a creature of habit.  I’m an early riser.  I’ve always been an early riser.  My time as a newspaper boy for the Syracuse Post-Standard got me in to that habit way back when.  These days as I head out to my driveway to pick up the morning papers, something is missing.  Up until February 27^th I saw gathering of newspapers greeting me each morning.  Now every morning that small pile of papers has been reduced by one with the closure of The Rocky Mountain News.  With the demise of the Rocky, I’m feeling a true sense of loss every time I head out to grab the morning news. 

Just 55 days short of its 150^th birthday, the Rocky was shut down by its owner the E.W. Scripps Company.  There’s no secret that these are trying times for all media.  The lousy economy, the emergence of the internet and a lack of interest in traditional news from anyone under the age of 30 has made it difficult for media companies to generate the type of revenue and profits that the business enjoyed for decades.  The Rocky was the victim of all of these factors and a protracted war with the Denver Post.  Even a Joint Operating Agreement with the Post couldn’t save the Rocky Mountain News from its demise.

The outcome is tragic and troubling on many fronts.  First, more than 200 people, many very talented reporters, editors and photographers lost their jobs.  A handful found their way to the rival Post, but we can’t even be sure how long the surviving paper will last in this economy. 

Next, with credit to Joni Mitchell, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”  I listened to talk radio driving home the day that the Rocky published its last edition.  Every local show focused on the loss of the paper.  Understandably, there were many in the audience who lamented the death of the Rocky Mountain News.  It seemed like there were just as many listeners would call-in to do a little dance on the paper’s grave.  They would say things like, “Good riddance.   I never agreed with the Rocky’s editorial stance.” Even if you didn’t agree with the paper’s editorial stance, or if you felt the paper’s reporters had some level of bias; there is something special about living in a two newspaper town.  Denver is not as special as it once was. 

I would also hear radio callers say, “I get my news on-line anyway so why do I need a newspaper like the Rocky?”  These callers were the biggest fools of all for not realizing that much of the credible content that exists on-line is coming from respected news organizations like the Rocky Mountain News.  When newspapers go away, are we going to depend on “citizen journalists” on the internet to give us the news?  Some people may think anyone can report the news.  That presumes that reporters don’t have professional training or ethical standards or proven techniques that guide them to the heart of a story.  Anyone can express an opinion.  At least reporters attempt to work to a standard based on fairness, balance and accuracy.  I’m of the belief that they get it right more often than they get it wrong. 

Finally a distinct voice was lost.  Given the choice I would pick the Rocky as the superior paper.  It was better written, more in-depth, easier to read with its tabloid format and most important; the Rocky seemed to be more in touch with its readers and the community.  When I sat down for my bowl of Cheerios every morning, it was the Rocky that was opened first.  The loss of the Rocky Mountain News was no less catastrophic than if the Denver Broncos had left town.  The difference is the NFL has a habit of bringing a new franchise back to a community.  The Rocky or a new daily newspaper will never come back to Colorado.  I’m still grieving.

Steve Gray for Rockford Gray Blog