Down in the Valley
This week marks a historic moment for this newspaper. When Los Angeles CityBeat and ValleyBeat launched on June 12, 2003, they began life as two newspapers – one identified as a voice of “L.A.” and the other for the San Fernando Valley. The titles shared much content, as the papers covered news and arts all across the city, but the ValleyBeat name was designed to indicate some special attention for readers in the Valley. It unfortunately also led to some public confusion about the papers and their shared mission. That ends now, as both papers will begin sharing the same, proud CityBeat name.
Coverage of the Valley was always an important part of the mix here, whether it was Erik Himmelsbach’s popular “Valley Boy” column or Michael Collins’s ongoing investigations into the toxic leavings of the Rocketdyne compound that borders Chatsworth and Simi Valley. Most of that Valley news usually found its way into L.A. CityBeat as well and will continue to do so. Our belief is that if something is worth reporting at all, it is almost certainly worth reporting to the whole city. And, as most of us should be aware, those who choose to live in Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Chatsworth, Pacoima, and other corners of the Valley most often see themselves as part of the great city of Los Angeles. Please take your secession movements elsewhere.
Our content will not change as a result. CityBeat will continue to cover the San Fernando Valley as it always has. And this is no empty sales pitch to our Valley readers. The editor of this newspaper lives in the Valley, as does its art director and several staff members and contributors. The only outward difference for Valley readers will be the words “Valley Edition” printed on the cover. (This shift is little different from when the Valley News & Greensheet changed its name to the Daily News of Los Angeles two decades ago, and that paper’s focus has also remained largely unchanged.)
This is about clarity and a minimum of confusion. CityBeat is a paper for all of Los Angeles.
Published: 08/16/2007
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