Boise Weekly vs. Idaho Statesman’s Scene
Don Day | November 25, 2009One of my favorite parts of the month is getting a copy of The Borah Senator delivered to my desk. It’s where I got my journalism start – and I’m always impressed by what these young journalism students dig up each month. This month they put together a great “Vs.” issue – comparing things like The Flicks and Edwards, Swine Flu and Seasonal Flu and more.
The paper also compared Boise Weekly and the Idaho Statesman’s Scene magazine. Writer Felicia Arnold talked to reps for both BW and Scene – Amy Atkins and Michael Deeds.
The Boise Weekly is a local newspaper that has articles that range from news to opinion, arts and entertainment to previews/reviews, interviews with extraordinary people, and letters to the editor. The Boise Weekly comes out every Wednesday.
“We do cover some of the same stories as the Statesman–that’s always going to be the case for media outlets in a relatively small market–but we work to cover them differently, from different angles, with a different voice. Better,” stated Boise Weekly’s A&E Editor, Amy Atkins.
The Boise Weekly’s competitor is The Idaho Statesman Scene magazine. Scene is a local magazine that expands the community’s horizons and publishes more articles about news, entertainment, reviews, interviews, and calendar listings.
“We focus exclusively on entertainment. They don’t. They’re free. We’re not. Our circulation is twice theirs. Really, it’s sort of apples and oranges,” commented Michael Deeds, Scene editor.
The Boise Weekly and Scene both have their advantages. The Idaho Statesman’s Scene is a little larger, and not free, whereas the Boise Weekly is free and about things around town.
What struck me was the tone of Deeds’ comment to the young journalist. He also has a key fact wrong – since Scene is available free in those teal boxes all over town.
(Disclosure: I am on the Borah High School Journalism Advisory Committee – along with reps from BW, the Statesman and other organizations).
I wish BW was available in other areas around the Valley except just Boise. I dont agree with all the BW topics covered…but increasingly Do agree I can live without the Idaho Statesman. Perhaps it was not Deeds intent to come off that way, but it does appear the Idaho Statesman has lost touch with the people that used to be readers/subscribers.
Why didn’t michael deeds just stomp his feet and say “scene is better than the borah paper, and that’s final!!!”
oops…”boise weekly”…
I have read both the Boise Weekly and The Scene. I have to say that I am much more impressed with The Scene than with BW. It seems that BW often writes their stories with much bias. They rarely show both sides to the story. They have proven themselves to be quite liberal and quite anti-Christian in their comments. That is not to say that The Scene is conservative, nor does it promote the Christian theme. The difference is that The Scene does not push their not-too-conservative agenda. Aren’t most media resources usually more liberal than conservative? BW tends to go overboard often, and have even gone as far as bashing others for their political or religious views.
I feel that The Scene has MUCH more to offer. They cover more, and they are MUCH more professional. They can actually write reviews without commenting on their personal political or religious biases. BW’s focus seems to be the north-end liberal, yuppy audience, while The Scene has something for everyone. The Scene doesn’t use phrases or negative slams against others, and it is appropriate for all ages. I do not have any interest in BW. Their reporters are very unprofessional and often use their prejudices to slam someone (or someone’s business) just because they don’t line up with their philosophies.