Reader Advocate: Readers complained, and we listened

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Newspaper reader representatives know to hide under their desks when editors start talking about dropping comics or changing puzzles. Unfortunately, I had so much stuff stowed under my desk that I could not get under it last week or this week.

Some of you figured out that the comics are now in alphabetical order by the name of the strip, and some of you found "Close to Home" in its new spot on the page with the TV listings.

But many of you are still worried about the puzzles:

"I have a request concerning the new format for the comics/puzzle pages. For the most part it looks really good but the font size used for the bridge column has really gotten too small for my poor, old eyes to comfortably read, even with new bifocals.

"I'm guessing that the average age of the bridge column reader is quite a bit higher than the average age of the horoscope column reader, and the font used for the horoscopes is much easier to read.

"So would it be possible to find a little extra room for the bridge column so that you could use a similar size font for it?"

Or: "You folks have really fouled up the comics section. I have always enjoyed the Asimov Quiz, but now the print is so small I can't even read it. The new format of the comic pages has also required smaller print. What have you gained by this change? Certainly not space, because you still have a two-page section. Be a little considerate of your older readers."

I understand how frustrating it can be to buy your newspaper - all the while looking forward to working your puzzles or fretting over the bridge hand - only to discover the type is too small for you to read.

And, The Tribune is going to solve that problem. On Monday, July 7, both the bridge column and the Asimov quiz should be readable again.

I know this is an example of a problem we could have avoided, but it is also an example of the readers' power. You yelled and the paper listened. And, it's an example of why The Tribune maintains a reader advocate to hear the complaints from upset readers and to point people to the right reporters, editors, Web personnel, graphic artists and photographers.

Tweaked off: One reader reacted to the changes in the features sections:

"I don't often complain, but you can add me to the many who are disgruntled about the 'tweaking' that has been done to what used to be Section C of the daily paper.

"The last straw was moving Robert Kirby's column to PAGE THREE. Put him back on PAGE ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Why did someone think that section needed to be changed? Sometimes things are better left alone."

These are the times that try journalists' souls - and sometimes readers' souls. In these challenging times, there are going to be changes in your Tribune also.

Lisa Carricaburu, assistant managing editor for features, explains:

"The Mix section has been redesigned and changed significantly on Monday and Tuesday in response to research into changing readership patterns. Early in the week, readers say they are starved for time and are looking for information that can help them manage their week, thus our attention in these sections to short, consumer-oriented stories, calendars, reviews, critics picks and other concise news. In order to offer a maximum number of entry points (stories, headlines, fact or quote boxes and photos or graphics) on each of these pages, we've retained a presence for Robert Kirby and other columnists on the section front, but have moved their columns to a consistent space inside.

"Again, this is in response to reader research that shows readers devoted to particular columnists will read them regardless of where they appear, while those who don't typically read particular columnists may be enticed to do so when they're offered a brief, easy-to-read synopsis first."

Let's face it, Kirby fans would follow him into hell in order to read his next column. And, this new way, readers can be smarter when they start their week.

Is he a vulture?

Longtime Tribune writer Sean Means - who has been with the paper since he was about 8 years old (just kidding) - will take on some new duties next week. He will continue with movie reviews, but he will also take over the Culture Vulture column on Tuesday and create a new daily Culture Vulture blog.

"The blog will be similar to the column," Means says. Traditionally, the Vulture has been a snarky way to "look at pop culture through the Utah lens," Means says.

And, Means will add a lot of wit to that look.

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* THE READER ADVOCATE'S phone number is 801-257-8782. Write to the Reader Advocate, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101. reader.advocate@sltrib.com