What is that story really saying to you?

As consumers of information from various news sources, we all have to become more discerning. Many times, what seems like an unbiased report of news is really something quite different.
We have to remind ourselves frequently to look beyond the plethora of press releases to figure out what is really going on. It is hard to wade through the pleas for publicity, the aching need of some organizations to get their news out to the community and all the other information that is fed to us to decide what is newsworthy and what is not worthy of our time or yours.
And the truth is, of course, that we are using our best judgment combined with honest reflection on whether publishing this or that news item is good for our community or deleterious.
Don't get us wrong. Airing bad news and wrongdoing is important and in the long run, good for our community. So this isn't about keeping readers happy all of the time.
What really warrants close watching are the press releases, often sent in the guise of news, which are really a thinly-disguised plea for more funding from the public purse.
Police fighting high crime levels? Hospitals battling long wait times in the emergency unit? Long wait times for ambulances? Wouldn't more funding solve all of these problems? (It might, if these problems really exist.)
Our health unit fighting OxyContin addiction? Sorry: not enough funds to do an effective job.
We have heard it all, from firefighters who are ill-equipped to do their jobs, health service organizations short of manpower, reduced staffing in our schools, textbook shortages, nursing staff cuts and more.
Last week, we wrote about the big savings that will come about due to reorganization of everyday routines at the Prescott-Russell Residence, where thousands of overtime and regular hours will now be reduced.
At least this is one instance where there was an internal study to discover the hole instead of continuing to fill a leaky trough.
Sometimes, as we prepare the news for our pages, we can almost hear the scissors clipping stories to be used as corroboration of shortfalls, reduced services and strife to which the only solution is - more money. What it points to is our responsibility and our collective right to ask questions.
Why do certain issues get aired at certain times?
What is the story behind the story that is being pushed at the public?
The other, larger question is: can we take control of situations by introducing positive change and thereby eliminate the idea that it is only money that solves problems? Can we rethink our priorities? Have higher taxes translated into better everything?
Are students receiving a better education because there are four school boards? While school communities everywhere vie for news coverage, mega school board news coverage requires an almost-investigative level of journalistic time.  And while there is a big demand for pictures of school activities in our pages, no one is breaking down the door demanding more coverage of school board issues.  That's just one example.
We will continue to do our part to guard against printing stories without finding out as much as we can.
We hope that continued vigilance on everyone's part will bring what matters to light.