A note of thanks to readers at the one-year mark
I've tried to give a peek behind the scenes
Dave Busiek on Media is coming up on its first birthday. My Substack dashboard shows I’ve written 54 columns in the past year.
The first column was about going to church one morning and stumbling into the disappearance of Johnny Gosch.
Since then, I’ve tried to give readers a peek behind the curtain of why journalists do the things they do, like Why, exactly, do TV reporters stand out in the cold?
And, The difference between partisan and mainstream media.
Some of the most widely-read columns are about the intersection between media and politics, such as Fox knew – and now its viewers do, too; and: Iowa media – and Democrats – need to fix this problem.
The most popular column? It was about political ads Governor Reynolds ran earlier this year to push her school voucher program: Priorities for Iowa -paid for by out of state money.
Reader feedback
I’m grateful to readers who engage with the column and respond with comments:
· “Holy cow! This is so eye-opening.”
· “You are so spot on in every article you write.”
· “Thank you for opening my eyes.”
· “First I have heard of this. Who knew?”
· “Great insight.”
· “I’m sorry I subscribed to your writing, or more precisely, your typing.”
Well, you can’t please everyone.
When Julie Gammack asked me to join the Iowa Writers Collaborative, I was initially skeptical. I wasn’t sure I had anything to say. I most definitely wasn’t sure that anyone would care.
A year later, I can only thank Julie for having the vision to create the IWC at a time when readers are hungry for opinions, at a time when traditional newspapers have reduced editorial voices.
I aim to write once a week. I don’t want to overburden your inbox but I’ve also tried to give you your money’s worth. Speaking of money, I appreciate those of you who upgrade to a paid subscription. It’s only $7/month or the bargain annual rate of $70/year ($5.83/month). I’m not in it to make money. In fact, I donate all proceeds to the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, which does such an outstanding job advocating for press freedom, open meetings and open records in Iowa. That benefits all of us. The council’s budget is lean, so your paid subscription goes a long way to fight public officials in Iowa who try to keep all of us in the dark. Such a deal! You can support the column and do a lot of good. Thanks for considering it. Just click the “Upgrade to Paid” button.
I have enjoyed writing again and enjoyed thinking about media issues. I’ve really enjoyed interacting with you when you leave comments.
And on a personal level, the other wonderful thing that has happened in the past year is that Laura and I have become proud grandparents of a little girl. We feel so fortunate. There’s probably a column there some day because she will grow up in a media environment that will make our own childhoods seem like something from a distant planet. She doesn’t have a cellphone yet. First, she needs to master solid food.
Thank you for your support and encouragement. I look forward to more media analysis in the coming year.
Please check out other writers in the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative:
Thanks for sharing your “behind the news” perspective with us. I always consider you a credible source. Many times you write about things that many of us never consider or see.
I’ve quoted your columns and also shared a few. Thanks.