To Print or Not to Print

...Episcopal Life News is in Question

Discussions have begun at General Convention surrounding Episcopal Life and its proposed transition from a monthly newspaper to a quarterly print magazine, with a move toward electronic news as the main source of communication sharing and the opportunity for its quarterly publication to expand and examine more in-depth stories.

Those in favor of the transition argue cost as a large factor but say the move is largely a strategic one, noting similar decisions by large public news media elsewhere across the country. As electronic news increases its communication effectiveness --both in efficient use of cost and time-- print news simply loses its value by the time it reaches paper.

Arguments opposing the change maintain that those who are not connected electronically depend heavily on Episcopal Lifefor National-level Church news, adding "to those who are not online, it is still news when they receive it in print." While cost is an understandable factor, primarily in these economically-challenged times, opponents raised additional concern that no numbers to-date have been presented to reflect savings in moving from a monthly print newspaper to a quarterly print magazine.

Additional discussions continued surrounding readership needs, along with those of diocesan level communicators and print partnerships already in place. Both sides agree it is important to evaluate and determine need and preferences --whether electronic or print, quarterly or monthly, etc-- by readership and print partnerships alike; although no agreement was made as to whether this would be done prior to, or following the proposed transition.

Discussions will continue at tomorrow's hearing at 2 p.m.