I won't kid you: I'm really proud of the package I pulled together this week on the 10th anniversary of the Ferguson Road Initiative, the neighborhood improvement group that went a long way towards inspiring the launch of Pegasus News.

But it's a bittersweet satisfaction. Not only does FRI have a long way to go to eliminate the "helicopters over the house again," but we at PegNews also have a long way to go to fulfill our longstanding mission of covering DFW neighborhoods in ways that improve the lives of their residents.

When Catherine Cuellar was here, she would end editorial meetings with a go-round of our "joys and sorrows." So, in that tradition, I think PegNews, circa October 2008, has many joys: We undoubtedly provide the best events coverage in town; more arts info than any other source; the most targeted advertising opportunity for local businesses; and without qualification, the best-curated forum for discussion of local issues.

That said, I acutely feel the gap between aspiration and actuality in our coverage of neighborhood news. Don't get me wrong: We do better than any mere aggregator. And I know that any shortfall isn't because of a lack of passion. It's a lack of manpower, which is rampant in the media business these days. And still, every day, I feel blessed for the depth and breadth of the team that brings you PegNews day in and out.

At the same time, I know that the business I envisioned at my first FRI meeting has yet to come to full flower. Don't take me as falsely (or otherwise) modest: I fully believe that PegNews is filling a role and improving our cities. In terms of lifting the undercovered, I feel that we're fulfilling the "Pegasus" part of our mission.

It's the "News" that keeps me up at night.

While our country's newspapers (both mainstream and allegedly alt-) wain into that good night, we're not yet filling their role-- not by a long shot. The thing that ruins the excitement of today's FRI piece for me is that I've always envisioned it as such a daily staple of our business as to be unremarkable.

We're not there yet-- largely because we're still working on the business model. We're young enough that we can't let ourselves die because the Old Ways don't work anymore. We're trying New Ways: And they're starting to work, but don't yet allow us the leeway to step beyond our bounds.

So we're in a glorious limbo of sorts, and lucky to be there.

Where we go next is the interesting question. I hope you'll take that ride with us, and help us along the way.

Comments

Scott Doyle Verified

Fisher selling off SafeCo shares prior to Liberty Mutual acquiring turned out to be a pretty damn good move. Liberty was downgraded by Fitch Ratings as soon as the acquisition went through.

Anyways, I'd also very much like to see the "News" part of your mission take off. It's nothing against staffers, because I especially love when TGub, JM, Bentley, and others report...but you can only wear so many hats.

Metro's my fav section by far. Personally, I'd much prefer a grassroots editorial that cuts the crap. Think Unfair Park meets Hank Moody (Californication for those unfamiliar), obviously a bit less explicit. Doubt Fisher would be too fired up about that, but hey - a guy can dream.

And I know it goes against your local grain to spend any kind of time on the State area, but c'mon Miko - is there anything relatively near the horizon re: a content partner who focuses solely on what's going down in the Capitol? Would be much appreciated.

1 month, 4 weeks ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )