“A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!”
— Thomas Jefferson
Talk of the Sound was officially launched four years ago today. As we do each year, I want to take the time to thank our many contributors, commentators, and readers without which the overwhelming success of this site would not be possible.
Talk of the Sound is more than just a web site. It is more than just a community. It is the community taking back control of our twin governments. The real success of the site is to serve as a beacon around which truth can gather.
For too long, our municipal government and board of education held a complete monopoly on the flow of information and used that control to serve their own ends. It was not that long ago that our Mayor proclaimed that the lack of news coverage about New Rochelle proved what a good job he was doing running things. The Mayor had confused imposing a Cone of Silence on the media with good governance.
What does the Mayor say now that New Rochelle is regularly getting news coverage from every media outlet in the area?
The media landscape in New Rochelle has been transformed since this site was launched in 2008. With all due humility, it is a simple fact that Talk of the Sound has been the agent of that change.
Back in 2008, the Journal News and News12 were the only daily local news organizations and they largely ignored New Rochelle. This not because nothing happened in the Queen City but as a protest reaction to the attempt by local officials to dictate media coverage. As for larger media outlets like the New York City newspapers, TV stations and radio stations, they rarely ventured into New Rochelle.
Today, every large and small media outlet in the area monitors Talk of the Sound for news and information about New Rochelle. We have broken too many stories to count. And our stories are picked up by our competitors on a routine basis. Last week I went to the daily press briefing for the New Rochelle Police Department. Until recently, only one reporter might show up. This time there were four — and out of that press briefing came two stories that would never have seen the light of day but for Talk of the Sound (K-9 attack, library rape case). That is a sea change.
New online publications have to come to New Rochelle who have added to the coverage of New Rochelle — a good thing. Unfortunately, they have chosen to align themselves with those in power, often serving as stenographers and propaganda outlets.
Generally, media in New Rochelle is passive, often reacting to original reporting by Talk of the Sound or waiting for handouts from public information officers working for our local government agencies. I cannot recall a single instance (maybe a reader will remind me) of another local media outlet doing investigative reporting or breaking news that was not spoon fed to them. Changing that aspect of local media ecosystem would be the next great evolution in getting more quality journalism in our City.
I am often told by readers that they read the site because its where they can learn what is really going on in New Rochelle. To me, that is the highest form of compliment.
The proof of our success is in the numbers. In early 2009, we reached 100,000 visitors. By our second anniversary, in 2010, we had hit 300,000 visitors and 1 million page views. Today, Talk of the Sound has had 1.5 million visitors and served up 5 million page views making it, by far, the largest and most influential media outlet in New Rochelle.
The real success, however, is the increase in contributors, commenters and news tipsters. The entire point of this site, the reason it was named Talk of the Sound, was to serve as platform for the community to engage with each other. My happiest days are when I visit the site and find articles and comment dialog that did not originate with me and has nothing to do with me — that is the vision of the site being realized.
Talk of the Sound is not the media any more than the Journal News or News 12 is the media. In the digital age, We are the media. Thanks to computers, internet, wifi, smartphones and amazing software and online services, along with the creative genius of New Rochelle residents, we are all potential news gatherers. That does not mean we are all journalists. But anyone of us, at any given time, can upload a video to YouTube, send out a photo on Twitter, post an article or add a comment to Talk of the Sound. And every time that happens, Jefferson’s vision of a government afraid of its citizens is realized.
It is what is meant by speaking truth to power.
That capability is a revolution that makes traditional gatekeepers in our society tremble.
Talk of the Sound is a means to express that power.
It takes a lot of work, every day, to run the site. It would be impossible without the many efforts of a wide range of people, many of whom have become known in the community through their own efforts on this site. To all of those regular contributors who have developed their own following on the site — a special thanks. For those who have been watching from the sidelines — jump in, the water is fine.
In closing, let me ask those of you who have made this site a success to add a comment on what this site means to you.
Birth of a Movement
Brilliant video
Great add to this post. Loved watching this short video.
Curious as to where folks think we are on this “leadership continuum”.
Thank you, Thank you
Bob-Thank you is not enough. Because of your hard work many citizens have found their voice. A very special thank you to your family. Congratulations.
Congrats Bob and TOTS!
Ditto, Ditto, Ditto,
Bob and Talk of the Sound Happy Birthday and many more! Not only should this be a celebration of the past four years but the re-birth of many people in the community who’s voices were going unheard for so long. With City Halls disconnect from the everyday citizen this site has given the average Joe a chance to be heard without any limits. It has become a forum for an exchange of ideas whether agreed upon or not. People have the opportunity to be heard. For that I thank you.
As a long time advocate for good government I applaud your blog
Congratulations Bob
My personal efforts for good government and schools
predate your blog. But the blog definitely helped any resident interested in good government and schools because the officials knew the issue was not going to go away.
We need this blog in New Rochelle. Keep up the good work.
An Important Voice for the Community
Whwe else can you be reasonable, unreasonable but still be heard except perhaps in a confessional?
Bob Coxs’s contribution to the community is, I think, both in the area he cites as well as his acceptance of what he may even find politically, professionally or technical against his own points of view.
I fully agree that this site is a daily read for other media outlets and it frankly, makes no sense for anyone office holder or administration official in New Rochelle to either state they don’t read it or dogmatically avoid what is being said. It makes no sense.
Personally, I have a renewed sense of who in the community will fight for change and who will simply enable inaction, or self interest.
A personal thanks as well as an affirmation of what has been said by others. Your contribution to New Rochelle is unquestionable.
I agree, Warren…
kudos to Bob for having the cojones to face down the bullies who don’t appreciate the revelations on this site, and for maintaining a site where ‘bemoaners’ are still welcome, despite their unpopularity with those in City Hall who, I am certain, read here.
Ain’t the truth grand?
Happy Birthday, and keep it up per cent’anni. Maybe by that time New Rochelle will once again be the Queen City Of The Sound.
Buon Compleanno e Cento di Questi Giorni !
Wow, seems like only yesterday the site was just a handful of stories and comments. ( I still miss the days of anonymous comments, there were some doozies). Watching the site grow not only in numbers but in the content has been like watching history unfold before your eyes. A microcosm of the American way if you will. A man with a vision, some hard work and determination and the next thing you know New Rochelle is a better place for it. A far cry from the old days of hoping you were lucky enough to see people like Anthony or Peggy speak out at a neighborhood meeting. Now , just the click of a mouse and thousands are tuned into the story, comment or opinion about what makes this city great, or what’s bringing it down. That is the duality of news, be it good, bad, wacky or sober, it tells the story of day to day life. To that end nobody does it better in this fine city than Talk of the Sound. So, thanks Bob for the vision and thanks to all of you out there who make TOS the success that it is. The 2 million visitor mark is coming up. Will there be a prize?
” An informed citizenry is the the only true repository of the public will”
Thomas Jefferson
Congratulations ! Felicidades!
Sometimes, success is measured by small victories. I worked with the farm worker advocate and icon in my community, Cesar Chavez. The struggle to stand up up against tyranny and unfairness is a life-long struggle. Many people of all political persuasions are often irritated when we rock their boat. Here in TOS, you have a platform for all people who want to speak are given the opportunity. Great job Bob. And as Cesar Chavez always told us, SI Se Puede! Yes, We Can!
Happy Birthday
Congratulations Bob!
You’ve done a great service for New Rochelle and proven once again, that in our country one persons ingenuity and pluck can compel government to listen to the voice of it’s citizens.
When journalism and a free press are successfully independent, we all benefit.
Jefferson would be proud and you should be too.
Cheers!
… to the movement that was birthed from the desire for transparency, equity and accountability from our School System.
We should also thank the corrupt for providing the impetus, motivation and drive to continue the efforts. The good people of New Rochelle will continue to chip away at the malicious ways and Talk of the Sound will be the big and bright shining light that will keep the roaches scattering.
Congratulations!