Coverage of weak economy is strong

Armando Acuña, the public editor of the Sacramento Bee, writes Sunday that the paper’s coverage of the economy is increasingly placing stories from the business section elsewhere in the paper.

Acuña writes, “Readers, of course, have noticed, prompting many of them to comment on various aspects of The Bee’s coverage and on specific stories. Mainly, though, they’ve asked for more information, perspective and local relevance.

“Covering the story has been a challenge because its ever-expanding outlines only became apparent over time. Yet, in my opinion, the paper has done a good job of organizing itself to meet the challenge and in seeking out local impacts in great detail from the ground up.

“For example, business reporter Jim Wasserman early on focused on troubles in residential real estate, reporting on the broader negative trends then only becoming apparent. His stories were filled not only with experts and brokers and real estate agents, but also with real people. Some told tales of woe about foreclosures, others were giddy over their first chance to own a home.

“Business editor Cathie Anderson said after the downturn and its ramifications became clear, she and other senior editors discussed ‘where to go with the story and what elements we should be telling … How is this affecting us locally?'”

Read more here.