The Cape Cod Times hits rock bottom
None of the news that's fit to print; a front page devoid of any mention of major political protests
Just when you thought the Cape Cod Times had become as embarrassing and superfluous as it could be, the Sunday edition arrived.
On Saturday, the biggest political demonstration in Hyannis history overflowed the shoulders of the Airport Rotary, spreading down highways to protest Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and what is happening in the name of the United States.
Smaller, vigorous protests also erupted in Falmouth, Eastham, Provincetown, and other locations.
All began around mid-day. For a newspaper designed to cover the previous day, that’s a luxurious amount of time to report and make the next edition; otherwise, there is no point in being a daily.
The front page of the Sunday Times did not even reference local events that involved tens of thousands of people, did not acknowledge a Cape Cod contribution to expressions headlined around the world.
The only indication anything related happened on Cape (or elsewhere) was a photo and caption buried in an inside corner of page 4. The pic, dominated by a passing auto, did zero justice to the event. Veteran, talented photographer Steve Heaslip took that photo, and I guarantee he took enough insightful images to fill a page had the newspaper wanted that.
On the front page instead: Maybe a balloon ban in Falmouth, someday a new library in South Yarmouth, a not guilty plea in a car crash fatality. And oh yes, puzzles&games! (the paper’s exclamation, not mine).
Do these “trump” a massive, real-life, real-time community outpouring?
This is such an abrogation of journalistic judgement and integrity that I couldn’t let it pass, so I’m sending this extra Voice on a Monday morning.
I’ll be back with reporting, photos and impressions of the Hyannis demonstration and related thoughts, in my weekly column on Friday.
Until then, read’em and weep.
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It seems the CCTimes has a bad case of laryngitis. Drs Kennedy and Oz should prescribe a heavy dose of Vitamin T. Wash that down with some bleach and cod liver oil and the CcTimes will be as good as new.
Thanks! From one of over 200 spirited protesters in Orleans, in front of the public library on Main St.