When I first became a full-time newspaper reporter in January of 1961, some of the first advice I got was to always get people’s names right. I don’t remember who told me that, but they said some people only get their names in the paper twice in a lifetime — when they are born and when they die.

Jo Ann, my late wife, and I got married on Aug. 20, 1954, but it was many years later when I found a copy of our marriage story and it spelled my last name “Bean.” I’m still upset about that, but it’s like saying don’t cry over spilled milk because it’s a situation you can’t change.

I wrote obituaries for about six months and asked one of the newsroom veterans if that was all I would ever do. He said writing obituaries and other stories that they would edit would help me learn Associated Press and American Press writing styles.

When I became an editor in 1965, I began hiring newsroom employees. I reminded Cassie Meaux, who eventually became our librarian and switchboard operator, that the job was important because people may only visit or call the newspaper once in a lifetime and would never forget a bad experience.

Cassie worked out perfectly and spent nearly 40 years doing both jobs. I got some great feedback about her performance.

Hugh Shearman, the publisher in my early years, also gave me some good advice.

“Remember, Jim,” he said, “when a public official or anyone else is criticized at a meeting or other event, be sure to contact them for a response. Readers deserve to hear both sides of the story.”

I learned that one the hard way. When I started writing a personal newspaper column, I got to work one morning to find the two owners of a local nursing home waiting to see me. I didn’t call them, and they were upset about a column I did on one of their residents who complained about his meals and other things.

When I get positive feedback, many readers say thanks for giving us both sides of issues. Unfortunately, that isn’t what they are getting from major TV networks. And they definitely don’t get it on social media.

Governing magazine explained it well in a Dec. 12, 2024, story headlined,  “Since the election, Fox News surges, MSNBC ratings collapse.” The story said when a sports team loses, its fans don’t hang around for the postgame show.

“Viewers have fled left-leaning MSNBC since Vice President Kamala Harris lost the presidential race to former President Donald Trump on Nov. 5,” Governing said. It added the network’s audience was down 46% compared to the first 10 months of 2024, according to Nielsen data. CNN’s audience was down 33% after the election.

Governing said since Fox News presented Trump with its “Patriot of the Year” honor, it saw its audience surge to capture 70% of the cable news in November.

Then, there are the findings about social media. Multiple studies have found a strong link between heavy social media and an increased risk for depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.

William Fitzgerald, an opinion contributor to The Hill, said, “As an experienced communications professional for tech and other industries, what I’m seeing concerns me deeply. We’re quickly approaching a future where tech executives can spin stories and no newspapers exist anymore to provide an accurately fact-checked counter-narrative.

“Corporate whistleblowers won’t have any reporters to turn to. Consumers will never find out the truth. The most powerful voices will define right and wrong, and (Facebook CEO Mark) Zuckerberg and others like him won’t have to apologize again.”

John Buzbee, who graduated from LSU in December with a journalism degree, was more optimistic in a column in The Advocate.

Buzbee said, “Honest, community-driven reporting has never been more important. The challenges, in fact, mean that integrity in reporting is even more important.”

Haley Wiggins, a senior majoring in communication at Northwestern State University, in the same newspaper said a professor of hers says, “If your mother says she loves you, find another source.”

Wiggins said, “That saying just solidifies how important it is to get your facts correct when writing, and it’s something I will always remember.”

Yes, that is exactly what some experienced newspaper editors told me nearly 64 years ago.

Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or jim.beam.press@gmail.com.

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