editor’s note Yes, We Post Everything Online 2908-B Beach Blvd. S. Gulfport, FL 33707 727-321-6965 Publisher
Cathy Salustri Loper cathy@thegabber.com
Editor
Shelly Wilson
shelly@thegabber.com
Creative Director Joey Neill
Advertising Director Chris Madalena
chris@thegabber.com
Reporters & Contributors Abby Baker, News & Events Jeff Donnelly, Theater Sheree Greer, Advice June Johns, Photographer Jon Kile, Columnist Ryan McGahan, News Gabrielle Reeder, Gabs & News Nano Riley, Environment Jen Ring, Food & Culture Morgan Banno, Food Lynn Taylor, Literary Arts
Social Media & Operations Leah Petrakis
leah@thegabber.com
Good Halp
Calypso, Banyan, Maui & Mickey Serving Gulfport, South Pasadena, St. Petersburg West, Downtown St. Petersburg, Maximo, Tierra Verde, St. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille, Treasure Island, Pinellas Point
In printing a letter to the editor last week, posting it on our website (as we have always done) and then sharing that post to Facebook, the Gabber was accused of trying to stir a pot and/or intentionally hurt a reader. Though it seems everyone’s mind has been made up on the matter, I would like to make something very clear: Since the return to print last July, it has been our policy to post all our content online and to share it on our social media. ALL posts on our website are intended to be scheduled to Facebook, automatically. We have never been intentionally selective about this process. And, frankly, we are as surprised as anyone why some posts do well and others do not (web traffic for last month’s post about watering restrictions was off the charts. Go figure.). However, we have had problems with this automated system. Before this week, the last Letters to the Editor post on Facebook was from March 25, but it has always been our intention to post letters to social media, no matter the subject. We do not post them with “teasers” or other incitements to click, as we do many of our news stories. In fact, other than “Letters to the Editor” there is no indication of what that content might be. Very savvy, right? If we were truly trying to “stir the pot,” I can think of many better ways to do it. I speak for the paper when I say that what we do every week is work our butts off to tell the community’s stories. Social media is simply another tool to share what is already in our newspaper and on our website. We have absolutely zero interest in stirring up hateful arguments on social media. It’s beneath all of us. And how does that help the paper or the community we serve? The answer: It doesn’t. To that end, and to be abundantly clear and transparent to readers who submit letters and commentary, I have revised our standard Letters to the Editor disclaimer on the next page. – Shelly shelly@thegabber.com
Owners Barry Loper and Cathy Salustri Loper Deadlines Friday at 5 p.m.
thegabber.com @gabbernews @gabbernews @gabberlife The views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publishers, advertisers, or employees of the Gabber. The Gabber is not liable for any errors in advertising beyond the cost of the first printing of any advertisement. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced or copied without permission of the publisher.
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theGabber.com | May 6, 2021 - May 12, 2021
