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6 | OCTOBER 24 • 2019 

W

ell, you are now leaving the world 
of unbiased journalism — real 
journalism — for advocacy 
journalism.
”
Ouch.
Almost 34 years later, those words still 
bite. It was my final day 
working at the Baltimore 
Sun. I had been recruited 
by the new owners of the 
Detroit Jewish News to 
relocate here with my wife 
and toddling son to publish 
our community’
s primary 
source of information. Over 
a farewell sheet cake and a soft drink, the 
Sun’
s business editor directed those words 
— boom — right between my eyes.
They were intended to be the ultimate 
put-down. After all, reporters and editors 
of “real” publications had no biases; they 
called them as they saw them, and always 
checked their personal opinions and 
upbringings at the door. Right …
Many in the media profession continue 
to refer to the Jewish News and other outlets 
that serve ethnic/minority communities as 
flaks, cheerleaders and lap dogs, viewing 
the world through a fogged lens, one that 
hopelessly obscures reality from their 
respective communities.
Well, here are a few things I’
ve learned 
over the years about the Jewish News and its 
relationship with our community:
• The Jewish News IS an advocacy media 
outlet. It advocates for the survival of the 
Jewish people. Within that core definition, 
there are many opinions on what survival 
means, let alone how to do so. Those with 
opinions? Some are religious and others 
secular. Some are Zionists and others not. 
Some are politically liberal and others 
conservative. Some are from the “we” 

generation and others are from the “me” 
generation. Some are straight and others 
gay. Some trace their ancestry to King 
David and others are Jews by choice.
• The Jewish News must attempt to 
reflect reality to earn and maintain trust 
and credibility with you. Reality includes 
mitzvah heroes in our midst and teen 
depression and suicide. It includes spouse 
abusers, child predators and passionate 
young adults reconnecting to Detroit and 
its people. It includes the wisest among 
us — including World War II veterans and 
Holocaust survivors, reminding us what 
service, sacrifice and living are really all 
about. It includes disagreements about 

the politics of Washington, D.C., and 
Jerusalem.
• The Jewish News continues to be a 
willing and eager partner with Jewish 
communal organizations and groups. 
During my tenure, the Jewish News has 
partnered with and supported literally 
hundreds of Jewish communal groups 
and causes with financial support, free 
advertising space, cover-worthy stories, 
articles and photo spreads. We are all vested 
in making Detroit one of North America’
s 
most admired Jewish communities. 
However, dramatic changes are rocking the 
media industry, including the Jewish News. 
While combined digital and print media 
platforms bring Jewish News content today 
to more readers than at any time in our 
77-year history, big data-driven Google and 
Facebook have caused significant erosion of 
the industry’
s traditional print-advertising 
model and have helped to drive more than 
2,100 newspapers across the country — 
large and small — out of business. 
Our valued and longstanding 
community partners need to look at us 
differently if we are to continue as a trusted, 
independent, responsible community 
advocate. 
I ask these partners to invest in the 
placement of results-oriented advertising 
in the Jewish News and on our digital 
platforms. Additionally, I ask for their 
assistance in strengthening our connection 
with your member bases. Please reach out 
to me at ahorwitz@thejewishnews.com on 
ways we can do so. 
This, in turn, will better enable us 
to meet coverage expectations of your 
activities, events and the people leading 
them, and continue to capture and share 
the newest chapters in our community’
s 
ongoing story … and yours. 

Arthur 
Horwitz

publisher’
s notebook

JN: Independent, Responsible 
Community Advocate

“Our valued and 
longstanding 
community partners 
need to look at us 
diff
 erently if we are 
to continue as a 
trusted, independent, 
responsible 
community 
advocate.”

OUR JN MISSION:
We aspire to communicate news and opinion that’
s trusted, valued, engaging and distinctive. We strive to reflect 
diverse community viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. As an 
independent, responsible, responsive community member, we actively engage with individuals and organizations 
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life, and Jewish life, in Southeast Michigan.

