Even so, he thinks the paper improved its credibility in the black community. Positive reaction from skeptical minority readers was noted in other cities. We re on record as caring about this issue, says Larry Conley, who edited the Atlanta series. It amazed people, he says, but without it, the series would have been a farce. The challenge now, editors agree, is to make better coverage of race continuous.
Tactics range from neighborhood meetings to beat realignment.
We re trying to open up the paper to the whole community, Crothers says. Yes, say editors and reporters, but often the result is subtle. Building trust is a slow journey, says Scott Maxwell, a lead reporter on the Winston-Salem project who now works at The Orlando Sentinel. But if you push beyond polite conversation and hit nerves, intense readership can result. Have a clear focus and production timetable.