Reporting on the Economy

I'm concerned that talking and dwelling constantly on the uncertainty of the economy simply ADDS to that uncertainty, creating a sense of fear and panic in people.

Adverse conditions (economy or otherwise)can push us toward finding new ways of dealing with the business of living.

When I hear negative news too much during the day, or repeated over and over, I turn off the radio. It's not helpful to obsess about it.

Many people are doing positive things, in small ways, that lead toward better quality of life. THOSE make much more interesting news stories!!

Thank you,
Karen Johnson
Portsmouth, NH

Reporting what public officials and corporate spokespeople say is the easiest part, and only a first step. Reporting "both sides" can be silly, if one side is obviously wrong, and reporters must evaluate each side to let us know who is likely to be truthful and reliable. All reporters are investigative reporters.

Most news is negative. Along with the news, we also need practical advice, in addition. What should we do with our investments now? How should we prepare for recession, deflation?

But by far most important, skepticism at what any spokesperson says must lead every reporter, as a professional, to check the truth of what they say.

When we start looking at news stories from the point of view as to the effect the stories have on the listeners, rather than the simple truth of the material, aren't we crossing over into classical propaganda? This is exactly the kind of motivation that lies at the root of many disinformation campaigns. While it may have a positive motivation behind it, the result is not a service to news consumers.

a friend and i went to the titian, tintoretto and veronese exhibit at the MFA in boston today and the voice on the audio guide sounded just like laura knoy. did she do the recording?

HI,

I've worked for the state or almost 30 years, and I'm of an age where I could retire. I'm a faculty memeber in the Communiuty College System with a master's degree, but I earn MUCH LESS than people in the Univrsity System or from other states doing the same work (@ $50,000).

All these years, we've been allowed to keep our benefits in exchange for low or no raises. During Judd Gregg's tenure there were no raises for four years in a row. Then, at some point, I reached the maximum pay rate in my labor grade and went about another four years w/out a raise. To make up for that (what a joke), I was issued $200 per year in longevity pay. As well,during this period, bonus time, which we were once able to accumeulate as part of our retirement package, was taken form us, so now we must either use the bonus days or lose them. We can no long accumulat the time.

All this took place when health care was really not on the radar screen as being a burdent to the state. Now that it's become so expensive, they want to raise our co-pays, deductibels and contributions. At the same time they want to tax out pensions, which don't amount to much, by 11.5%.A person needs to work 30 years to earn 1/2 pay, much lower than in other places. Also, the very low dental benefit, which has only increased one snce the 1970's from $1000 to $1200 is forfeited at retirement (when people may need it most). I feel this is outrageous. I feel the public is unaware of what a bad position this will put state retirees in, and, finally, I believe this amounts to what I would call an income tax on a particular group when there is no such tax on anyone else.

There's a lot being written and discussed about the possibility of an estate tax on a very few (100, it is believed) of our wealthiest citizens, but state em,ployees are always held up as greedy and undeserving of the pittance that we can finally collect after a lifetime of hard work.

I'd like to see a show devoted to this topic.

Thank you.