Publisher

Managed Service

R. Frank Russell - Publisher THE PONTIAC NEWS MISSION STATEMENT To serve The City of Pontiac and nearby communities as the leading information source that empowers our community, while never compromising the principles of truth and fairness in reporting. We measure our effectiveness based on the following core values. * Provide leadership that contributes to the betterment of our community. * Reflect our community in everything we do. * Build credibility by accepting nothing less than the highest standard of excellence. * Exercise our "watchdog" role by seeking solutions for and protecting those living within our community. * Help our customers grow and prosper by providing useful information. Several decades ago, City of Pontiac residents could pick up a newspaper and expect solid reporting from a locally owned newspaper business with a focus on this community. But as Michigan participated in social and political change in the United States, its media outlets moved in the opposite direction, falling victim to corporate consolidation taking shape at the national level. Out-of-state conglomerates have bought many of the best dailies. In attempts to keep pace with these fierce new competitors, other Michigan papers have cut staffing and squeezed news space to make room for more advertising. The Pontiac News will stand in stark contrast to this trend. Through our bi-weekly newspaper and Web site, we will provide an independent perspective with a commitment to credible investigations, and provocative and informative stories that others either miss or choose to ignore. Too often, today's media cast coverage in a political rather than a human light. Stories and subjects are tagged as "left" or "right," ignoring the subtleties and nuances that define The City of Pontiac. The Pontiac News will reinvigorate the credo that journalism speaks for the individual, checks abuses of power, and stands vigilant in the protection of democracy and free speech. By hosting regular editorial meetings throughout the city, and presenting news in a community context, we will give Pontiac Citizens a unifying forum from which to view and address today's issues. Knowing that City of Pontiac residents value news and perspectives from beyond their borders, the Pontiac News also will provide timely and provocative stories from around the county, state, country, and the world, through an independent network of writers and subscriptions to various news wire services . Our pledge to you -- readers, advertisers, and subscribers -- is to provide socially responsible news and opinion on a human scale. With news stories from throughout the City and, we will be the voice of the community, a place where Pontiac citizens can share ideas and forge solutions. Those outside Pontiac can look to The Pontiac News as a showcase for "the Pontiac way," that unique ability to solve problems and define community issues related to political, educational, religious and social matters. Our business model is unique in its approach, in part because Pontiac is a unique city. A bi-weekly newspaper, combined with our Web site that will be updated daily will provide you with breaking stories as they become available to us, whether that be in Pontiac, Oakland County, the State of Michigan in the U.S. or around the globe. Thank you for joining us and taking us into your homes, schools, churches and businesses. We hope you will keep reading and advertising in The Pontiac News. And, please don't hesitate, let us know what you think.