Mercury Reader Survey Question Title * 1. The journalism creed is to cover news without fear or favour. Our goal is to follow this conviction. When thinking about local political news from our county, towns and villages, police or education system, do you feel the Mercury presents the news as it happened without fear of municipal retribution or without favouring one area over another? Yes No Question Title * 2. The Mercury, though located in the town of Tofield, has always strived to be fair to all towns and villages in our Beaver County service area. Thinking about local coverage, and keeping in mind some towns are larger than others so have more activity, do you feel the Mercury is fair when covering news from place to place? Yes No Question Title * 3. Often the squeaky wheel gets the grease, in other words some people, councillors, teachers, etc. get hold of The Mercury more often than others with story ideas. Even so, we always try to get the other side of the story as well. When thinking of Mercury stories, do you feel we do a good job of presenting both sides of the story to readers and then let them decide? Yes No Question Title * 4. Our opinion page is separate from the news in the Mercury, in that it is the only page that presents an opinion. The remainder of the Mercury is news as it happened. John Mather’s editorial is generally his way of thinking when it comes to mostly national news that affects us all as Canadians. When thinking of the Editorial, are John’s opinions well thought out whether or not you agree? Yes No Question Title * 5. Our opinion page also welcomes other opinions, whether they agree with the editorial or not. You may write your own opinion and send it by letter or email to the Mercury as long as it is local, has your real name attached, and doesn’t libel another person. When thinking of letters to the editor, would you consider making your opinion public through the Mercury? Yes No Question Title * 6. The Mercury is published in print at all subscriber mail boxes and in stores; and is also available with an online subscription. When thinking about the availability of the Mercury, which version do you typically read? Print Newspaper Online Newspaper (Patreon, Issuu) Question Title * 7. Because our readership has varied interests, we try to deliver the news as it happens, when it happens and where it happens. When thinking about Mercury news, which types of stories would you like to read more of? Local government stories More sports stories More feature stories about people, their hobbies and special interests Question Title * 8. Many feel the Mercury is a large part of all our rural communities. Without the Mercury; our local politics would not be reported on, worthwhile achievements of locals would not get recognition, and crime and punishment would not be called out. When thinking of the Mercury, do you feel our reporting without fear and favour is important to the health of our communities? Yes No Question Title * 9. Advertising pays for the news in the Mercury. Without our advertising revenue our business would not be able to afford to pay reporters to drive to events, write stories and take pictures of events; and we would not be able to purchase printing and postage to get the news to our readers. When thinking about promoting events and also wanting news coverage, do you consider the “one hand washes the other” saying; and do you consider how paid advertising supports our local news coverage? Yes (Mercury supports me, so...) No (Never considered the 2 were related) Question Title * 10. Customer service is still something the Mercury puts at the top of its priority list. Thinking of your dealings with the Mercury on the phone or in person, have you left feeling you were treated with respect and your problems solved and that the interaction was friendly and pleasant? Yes No Done