A letter in Wednesday's edition of the Omaha World-Herald's Public Pulse section criticizes the newspaper's decision not to report on the inaugural Omaha Entertainment Awards last Thursday, Jan. 4.Writes F. David Codr:
Last Thursday, I was among about 1,000 supporters of the Omaha entertainment scene who gathered for a black-tie gala at the Holland Performing Arts Center for the first Omaha Entertainment Awards to honor artistic performers in three disciplines. While nearly every local news organization was on hand to cover the event, The World-Herald was sadly missing that night.
I find it insulting that a newspaper that claims to support the local arts and entertainment scene couldn't be bothered to cover a regal, black-tie event held a block away from its offices. National performers such as actor John Billingsley and musician Conor Oberst felt the event worthy of their presence. So did Mayor Mike Fahey and other supporters of the arts.
My hat is off to the organizers and participants of this great event. They have done our community and the arts proud. Everyone I spoke to had a fantastic time.
I look forward to the 2008 Omaha Entertainment Awards and hope The World-Herald will consider it worthy of coverage.
WOWT-DT (Cox Channel 248) and KXVO (Cox Channel 11) both produced live coverage of the event, while The Reader (a sponsor of the event) and The City Weekly newspapers each published stories and the list of winners.
