Make a resolution to improve your media literacy
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
New year, same old….well, a lot of stuff.
We’ve been getting our butts kicked by a virus for going on two years, half the country thinks the other half are corrupt liars and we’re wandering our way toward a time when we won’t even agree whether the sky is blue and if grass is green.
Granted, a lot of stuff is not quickly or easily fixable. But...
The loss of journalism hurts us all, but this one was personal
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times @mikemcgannpa
I was going to write a column for this week about how bad the state legislature is and how lousy the May referendum question is on the governor’s emergency powers, but to be honest, those are topics I could write about any time.
I’m a bit in a rush to get this done this week because I have to be out of town this weekend: a college friend and fellow...
Mr. President, we ARE scared, and you aren’t helping
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
If you’re not scared, you’re not paying attention.
COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire, we see massive shortages of medical equipment and testing and a federal government paralyzed by a cult of personality, ignorance and lies. Thankfully, most of our state governors — including our Tom Wolf — have stepped up to partially fill the void of leadership.
So, yes,...
Letter From The Editor: Tough times in the media world
Dear Readers,
I probably don’t have to tell you what a challenging time it is for us in the small-time, local media.
The old advertising model is broken, a new one hasn’t really replaced it and readers like you increasingly don’t want to have to pay for content.
It’s that vise that has seen our readership hold steady, yet revenue decline for three straight years.
Send...
An, um, interesting year comes to a close
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
To say that 2017 has been an interesting year is something of an understatement.
From that standpoint, it has been one of the most amazing years to be in journalism — a dynamic year with no shortage of compelling stories and subject matter.
It has also been one of the most challenging — probably the most challenging year in the 34 years I have been in the business.
...
Letter: The Times, citizens need to be vigilant
To The Editor,
I am writing to encourage The Times of Chester County to remain an independent news organization that fact-checks statements made by all politicians (particularly the president-elect) and exposes false statements clearly while reporting on any issue. The president-elect has consistently derogated news sources that disagree with him or his positions.
However, our success as a democracy...
Comitta looks to be in good shape on 156th recount
Will there be a local price for GOP overreach?
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
So much for putting the feet up and enjoying the holiday season before wading back into this column in 2017 — so consider it a pre-holiday gift (or curse) — as news makes a surprise return needed.
While the last provisional ballots have to be counted, it appears that Carolyn Comitta has pulled off a narrow win in...
Without an engaged media, no one is watching out for you
Lies, ‘Fake news’ can’t become the new normal
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
Friday night, I had honor of gathering to mourn the virtual death of a small town newspaper — The Suburban Trends — after its purchase by Gannett and subsequent layoff of the vast majority of its staff.
We met in a small place in Bloomingdale, N.J., hometown to current GOP power player Mike DuHaime...
Flossing story misses the point
Common sense — and science — still make a case for flossing
By Dr. Stephanie McGann, DMD FAGD, Columnist, The Times
Recently the Associated Press reported a story that there were no studies available on the efficacy of flossing. Suddenly dentists were asked by patients if this means they really don’t have to floss. I want to take this opportunity to voice my opinion on this latest news story.
It’s...
