Increasingly The Hoboken Reporter, whose subtitle includes the words "eight weekly newspapers serving Hudson County" strays further from a definition of newspaper. The vocabulary of the "publicist," "spokesman," "press agent" seems to have floated to the top of the reporters' handbook. It is objectionable enough when reporting a parade. Add to this sloth the failure to check facts and our home town newspaper becomes a mirror of our home town's duplicity.
Let us look at "Services geared for seniors," February 8, 2004, p. 8. "I'm very proud that this city has always looked after its seniors," said Del Boccio. The important question which was not asked is: Who is a senior" Who is too old to carry groceries home?" Who needs assistance? Is it only those whose votes are assured who are rewarded with entertainment and transportation? And then there is the fantasy of the library! Very shortly after I arrived here (about 7 years ago) I made two important visits: one to my handsome home town library, access to which required gymnastics; the other to the office of my resident public servant. Both visits saddened me: I could not then and cannot now, expect to get to the stacks on the upper level of the library; I do expect the resident patriot to ever serve other than himself or his mentor.
The ultimate insult: your publication's suggestion that the City's web site, which yesterday was still issuing invitations to Thanksgiving 2003 festivities, be used as a source of information. Library access is still, as seven years ago, a promise.
Or is this piece a secret poll to discover who is really reading?
Helen Hirsch
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