Richert: Do Readers Want Watchdogs?

When the Statesman’s Erika Bolstad broke a rock-solid story about bonuses awarded by outgoing and embattled Sen. Larry Craig , the detractors were quick to chime in. Their message, loosely translated: “Hey Statesman, let the Craig story die already.” When Cynthia Sewell found some startling news about the city’s controversial streetcar public relations contract , and we followed up with an editorial criticizing the mishandled deal , we heard a similar refrain. “Enough about the streetcar contract; move on to real news.” So I’m left feeling a bit snarky. Readers say they want watchdog reporting. They want to know where their tax dollars are going. Do readers only really care when spending hits a certain undefined threshold? Is there some floor level we don’t know about, kind of like the unposted “real” speed limit on a remote stretch of I-84?/ Kevin Richert , Idaho Statesman. More here .

Question (from Kevin Richert): Do readers want watchdog reporting — or do they just say they want it?