Friday’s here and so is the Red Phone. Back once again with your calls concerning life, death and everything in between. This week the Free Lance’s new look and new content was the topic of choice for our three callers. Always listening, always on-line, always available at 635-9219 – call the Red Phone.
Changing comics isn’t funny
Callers left their two cents worth on the new design and content launched by the Free Lance this week. Here’s what was said:
“I got the morning paper today and that’s all right, but I do not like the fact you got rid of Zits and Belvedere – my favorites,” she said. “Please bring them back.”
“I was really disappointed,” she said. “I got the paper today – the new paper. I was disappointed in the change in the comics. You took out Zits, Tiger, Cathy and Blondie. Those were my family’s favorite comics there and you put in other ones that are not very funny at all. Just wanted to let you know. When it comes time for renewal maybe I won’t renew.”
Lousy, really?
“The paper is lousy,” she said. “Light print, you can’t read it. No good.”
Red Phone would be remiss not to admit there has been some criticism of the paper’s new look, however, there has been positive feedback as well – just not from Red Phone callers.
The new type face of the paper utilizes the Poynter family of fonts designed and spaced to be easier to read. Originally created in 1996, the typeface took input from newspaper editors all over the world to create the font with a focus on readability. It was created by the Poynter Institute, an organization dedicated to improving journalism since 1975. However, the spread out characters do results in a lighter looking page even though they are the same size as our old copy.
As for the comics, Free Lance editors chose to change the comics to give the old standbys a rest while making room for new strips many people have never seen. Of course, they kept several “classics” such as Peanuts and For Better or Worse in rotation. The comics of today are not necessarily the strips of tomorrow either and your feedback is welcome on all aspects of the Free Lance. Feel free to call Editor Conan Knoll at 637-5566 ext. 337 or City Editor Marcus Hibdon at ext. 332 if you would like to personally discuss the changes. Or, if you want your comments printed anonymously, call the Red Phone at 635-9219 but you still have to leave your name and phone number. Let us know what you think of our new sections, new design and new delivery schedule. We think, given time to adjust, everyone will appreciate the new reader-friendly design in Your Good Morning Newspaper.
