Los Banos Rotary Club History
Lou Evon Relates Evaluation Of News

Depicting a newspaper as a mirror of what happens, Lou Evon, of this city, who is west side reporter for the Merced Sun-Star, Tuesday noon gave members of the local Rotary Club a concise accounting of just what it takes, newswise, to build up a metropolitan or community newspaper, and of the editorial yardsticks that govern what does and does not constitute "news".
"We are all subjected to the same emotions." Evon related, "but it is the contrast of emotions, of passions and ambitions that constitutes news, as it is the dramatic clashes from the usual that makes headlines." As an illustration, he cited several events rating recent headlines in the metropolitan press,--news because of the emotions attached, even as is the quirks of nature, as she unleashes in sudden fury floods, destruction and tragedy in contrast to normal routine.

Also on the emotional side, Evon cited as an illustration, the news of Dr. Jonas E. Salk and his discovery of an effective vaccine itself made headlines. Evon explained, because of its vital influence on the lives of mankind; Dr. Salk became international news as a benefactor of mankind.

As another illustration, Evon called attention to the first Atlantic airplane flight by Charles Lindberg. It was headline news throughout the world. The second successful flight across the same waters became news of lesser importance, until today, such a trip would be labeled only as a vacation jaunt to be reported solely for the interest of personal friends.

As contrasted to the headline stories of the metropolitan press, Evon told of the same basic interpretations of the smaller home town newspapers, which because of less frequent publication, serve more to chronicale routine happenings of personal community interest, recording items of everyday life, of local government and organizations, heralding coming events and putting in "black and white" the historical happenings within the limited circle of the community.

October 28, 1955

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