Last week, The Missouri Times announced that the publisher, Scott Faughn, is now the full owner of the paper and company. To give a little more insight on the future of the company, Faughn participated in a question and answer session for readers.
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The Missouri Times: One question we’ve gotten a lot from readers is what the paper will cover now that session is out?
Scott Faughn: We have an aggressive plan to write campaign pieces that dig deeper, stories that look at the issues leading into the next session and hopefully some features from as many of the legislative districts as we can. Our plans change all the time as events unfold, like the race that broke out for Speaker [of the House], but that’s sometimes how it goes.
TMT: What were some of the lessons you’ve learned from the past session?
Faughn: We were unsure about what to expect going into this, but the one thing we learned is that there are thousands of people that are interested a more in-depth look into Missouri politics. We appreciate them and are working hard to be a trusted source of information for Missouri’s opinion makers. We have developed so many ideas, many being ones we’ve already rolled out, and we love how active people have been in telling us what they think, what they do and don’t like and what they want more of.
TMT: When the newspaper launched there were concerns that the newspaper would have a partisan slant. Six months later, what is your response to those questions?
Faughn: Yes, I heard some of that straight out of the gate. But you know, as we developed the working relationships we have with Democratic and Republican legislators, I feel that we began to put any of those issues to rest. More than anything, I mean, look at our content — it has been our best defender.
TMT: What was the biggest struggle in getting the paper off of the ground?
Faughn: We struggled our first few weeks with editing for sure. Since then, we’ve had to roll up our sleeves and put together a team of people that could correct our issues. I would say today we are now in the mainstream of other publications, and I’m glad that is behind us.
You also have to keep in mind that we are a start up. There will likely be more issues we have to tackle before we reach smooth sailing. As with any start-up business, the first year is the toughest so we are still building the business foundation we will need to succeed.
TMT: What new things are readers in store for this summer and fall?
Faughn: We are taking our exclusive, subscriber-only “Whispering Gallery” email to three times a week and working on a few other benefits, like some kind of database, for subscribers too. We are also going to be writing profile pieces on people and personalities involved in the public policy process. Those combined with the [House] Speaker race and all of the other campaign work will make for a hot summer.
TMT: The newspaper recently announced that its founding president, Rod Jetton, is leaving the company. What affect will that have on the product?
Faughn: Rod is one of the people I look up to most in life for his hard work and dedication. He was instrumental in getting the newspaper launched. Like I said in the press release, I’m so happy that he’s finding success with his book and public speaking opportunities, but I’m also sad he won’t be able to continue working with us. I look forward to working with him again in the future. His legacy will be a part of the company as we move forward and I hope the newspaper makes its other founder proud.
TMT: What does this mean for the SEMO TIMES?
Faughn: It has meant and will continue to mean that I am not there as much, but we can now offer our readers some of the great content we produce at The Missouri Times.
Keep in mind there are no statehouse correspondents from any newspaper in the 8th district so our readers are the most informed of any in SEMO about state government issues. Our SEMO eTIMES is more popular than ever and we are expanding the footprint of our print edition far outside of Poplar Bluff, and the advertisers are reacting positively to it. In the long run the growth of The Missouri Times will only enhance the quality of the SEMO TIMES.
TMT: Who are a few people in Missouri politics you look up to?
Faughn: Outside of Rod, I would have to say Jeff Roe for his ability to focus like a laser on whatever he is working on and [St. Louis] Mayor Francis Slay because of his lengthy list of accomplishments and ability to work with people of all types.
TMT: Tell the readers about some of the new things that have been rolled out since session adjourned.
Faughn: Well, we are so excited about our new website. Our editor, Ashley, worked hard with a firm in Poplar Bluff, semo.net, to give our readers a simple and accessible site so they can better follow our stories. We are also really focusing on increasing the benefits to our subscribers.
TMT: What are you most proud of about the paper?
Faughn: I am proud of our journalists. Don’t get me wrong, I love challenging them, even though they win a lot more of those discussions than I do. I love print. It’s in my veins and I actually really enjoy reading the great work they do.
More than anything, I am grateful to our readers, they are the most important part of what we do. Every good decision we have made has been with our readers in mind, and nothing makes me more proud and grateful than to walk in an office in the Capitol or a restaurant and see someone reading the paper. It’s the same thrill I had four years ago when I saw a woman in Las Margaritas reading the first SEMO TIMES.
