University of Virginia Library

Experience Lost

Two professional journalists (who are not
connected with the Progress) had strong words
for the new management. One newsman, who
asked to remain anonymous described the
Progress as "almost an advertising throw-away."
The second, who also wished to remain
unnamed, observed, "The paper has degraded,
there's no doubt about it-except in the
publisher's mind. I've never seen a paper go
downhill so fast" he continued, "a lot of talent
and experience was lost."

Karl Runser, former Daily Progress city
editor and among those who quit their position,
summed up the situation: "The staff has
disintegrated and I think the paper has lost an
awful lot of good will in the community. And I
don't think that Rooker can bring it back any
time soon." Dan Rooker is the co-publisher of
the Daily Progress.

Most of the newsmen interviewed felt that
the Worrell company, which owns a chain of 24
daily and 8 weekly newspapers, was trying to
apply what amounted to a "formula" to make
the Progress more of a local paper, and a more
lucrative business. They speculate that the
thinking of the company is that since it has
worked for other papers they own, it should
work here.