By Tony McVeigh/Seth Helton (web)
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-932014.mp3
Paducah, KY – Bill Bartleman, longtime legislative reporter for The Paducah Sun, is ready to retire after 39 years at the paper. "I've done everything from interview the president of the United States to fly over the Ohio River," Bartleman says of a career he describes as "very rewarding."
Bartleman started work at The Paducah Sun in 1972, and began covering the general assembly in Frankfort shortly afterward. Bartleman says that he has always been adamant about openness in government, and felt that his career allowed him to provide a valuable resource to the public.
"I don't know what's going to happen," Bartleman says about the future of journalism. He believes that the nation is presently experiencing a down period in journalism. He cites the downfall of newspapers as the reason for this. "Hardcore journalism is gone, cable talk shows presented as journalism are to blame," he says. "Journalism is giving the ABC's of an event so that people can make their own informed opinions."
"When I started in the 70's, there was a good mix of news. You could listen to the radio on the way home and pick up the newspaper." Bartleman says that when he for most of his career, people have used local radio and the local paper to follow the everyday things that happened in their community. Now, he says that people are missing out on local news such as coverage of local government.
Now, the lack of coverage of the general assembly in Frankfort worries Bartleman.
"The Paducah Sun began covering the general assembly in 1960's and the paper covered every session from then until 2007. People followed it. It affected the activities of the legislature because they knew that someone was watching everything they did; recording their votes and keeping them more accountable to the people who elected them."
Bartleman, who can be safely called a veteran of the journalism industry, has some advice to give to young reporters.
"Remember the responsibility of what you do. Bill Bartleman isn't important, but what he covers is important. You need to represent the public and report what happens fairly," he says. Bartleman likens the news to public utilities, such as power or water. "You can't send people tainted water, and you can't send tainted news."