By Doug Porter
Note: San Diego Free Press turned two this week. This is one of several remembrances and reflections we’ll be publishing over the next few days. Back when we were first starting SDFP I wrote out this speech for somebody to read on my behalf at one of our early meetings. At that time I was recovering from surgery to remove a cancerous larynx and could not speak. What I “said” at the time still rings true for me today.
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I was involved with alternative press in San Diego back in the early 1970’s and moved back to this place in 2008. Now I write a column 5 days a week for the Free Press.
And my advice to you is that, if you want to be a writer, than just friggin’ do it. All the time.
The only thing that counts is HONESTY. Write often and write from your heart.
Many years ago I worked for author Norman Mailer as a researcher. The previous statement was the advice that he gave me. It seemed too simple at the time. I was distracted by a million other things. But he was right. Trust me, I found out the hard way, when cancer took my vocal chords. I may not speak anymore, but my voice is the loudest it’s ever been.
“Citizen Journalism” and “Hyper Local” have been the buzzwords in publishing over the past decade. For the most part, the reality of those words has meant “exploit free creative labor” and “re-write press releases once the start-up capital runs out”.
The San Diego Free Press is different. We are an all volunteer organization. I do this because believe that there will be plenty of opportunities for those of us who strive to make our voices heard as the mainstream media goes through its death throes.
You can help us and yourself the most by sharing what’s going on with people in your neighborhood and communities of interest with our readers.
In order for us to be successful, we must build a narrative—a story if you will—that emerges from our ability to work with people from different neighborhoods and socio-economic groupings (some people call them tribes) in creating a shared understanding of the challenges that face us all and the understanding that, to stand alone in this day and age of corporatocracy is to guarantee failure.
I see the San Diego Free Press as a bridge to the unity that is required to get things done that actually matter in people’s lives.
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Thank you to all the great people who’ve supported us!
That’s me, all bald & swollen at an early SDFP meeting
Doug Porter
Latest posts by Doug Porter (see all)
- Last Call. Last Column. - December 14, 2018
- Which Presidential Candidate Will You Support in 2020? - December 13, 2018
- Mounting the Assault on Big Gay and Other Drivel From SDSU’s Minimum Wage Scrooge - December 12, 2018
The Teaspoon Door, San Diego Street Journal, Secret Army Organization, Red Squad, Peter Bohmer, Paula Tharp, Doug Porter, Lowell Bergman, Bill Ritter all changed the direction of San Diego for the better in the 60ies and 70ies. Thanks Doug
Way to go, Doug. Without you there’d be no Free Press. Norman Mailer would be proud. Keep up the good work. I’m looking forward to Year #3. We will change San Diego for the better. Without our work the underrepresented voices of San Diego would not be heard at all. The U-T is going down!
I wish I had half your energy, half the number of ideas, and all the understanding, El Doug. And then there’s Anna, Brent, Frank, Annie … all of you do what you do because it’s the right thing to do.
Way to go, Doug. I agree with all 3 comments; you’re amazing to be so on top of things despite your physical condition.
Here’s to many more years ahead with you at the helm.
Happy Second Birthday, Doug and Free Press. You bunch are such a talented group — so glad you are on the scene. I echo the above comments and hope John Lawrence is correct in his last sentence. All good wishes for a smashing third year and beyond.