June 8, 2025

In today’s Anchorage Daily News incoming editor Vicki Ho offered an introduction “A Brief Introduction” and an invitation for comments. Here’s my response.

Editor Vicki,

Congratulations on your new role at the Anchorage Daily News! I’ve appreciated your past work and look forward to seeing your leadership now shape and support the work of so many others.

You invited comments in your column today, so I wanted to share a few reflections—offered with optimism and a deep respect for the vital role ADN plays in our state along side the other newspapers and vital news sources in the state.

First, I’ve come to value the curated experience of reading a full issue of the newspaper—not just for the individual stories, but for the thoughtful layout, graphic design, and editorial pairing of content. The positioning of articles, the choice of headlines, images, and even the spatial flow across the page offer a kind of visual storytelling and depth that’s lost in the fragmented, feed-driven news experience many people are defaulting to today. While I now read the newspaper in it’s electronic e-news format, I appreciate that the e-edition remains as a way to experience the printed page and its layout.

It reminds me of the idea that in human conversation, most meaning is conveyed through nonverbal cues. Similarly, the composition of a printed (or print-formatted digital) newspaper page offers non-textual meaning—placing headlines side by side, contrasting photos, and visual flow that together create a richer and more lasting understanding than scrolling headlines ever could. I hope you’ll continue to lean into the power of that editorial artistry, and perhaps even help readers understand why it matters more than they may realize both is a way to enhance your readers experience and the value that they get from the paper, but also to increase the subscriptions and engagement that you need in order to have a successful business operation

Second, I believe the ADN is an essential forums for helping Alaskans make sense of where we are—and where we could go. This coming year, we face a pivotal choice: continue the slow decline of the past 15 years, clinging to hope for another boom, or begin building a new vision for Alaska’s future—one that’s grounded in innovative talent, rural vitality, urban industry, and global relevance. The ADN can be a critical force in shaping that conversation—not just reflecting debates, but helping people see new possibilities, and understand each other in a way that allows us to make sound practical decisions about our future.

Third, I hope the ADN also continues to broaden its len beyond the state’s borders. Alaska’s future is increasingly intertwined with our neighbors across the Northwest Arctic, Western Canada, and the Pacific Rim—from Japan and Korea to Taiwan and beyond. The great circle trade route, both in air and sea, offers enduring strategic value. Similarly, within the state, we must better connect the technology-driven institutions of government and business with the strength and long-term perspective of Alaska Native corporations and tribal organizations. The ADN is uniquely positioned to explore and elevate these narratives.

Alaska holds remarkable potential—economically, culturally, and globally. But it’s complex. We need institutions that can help people connect the dots, appreciate the nuance, and build a shared understanding of what’s at stake and what’s possible. I hope under your leadership, the Anchorage Daily News not only flourishes, but also embraces the opportunity to serve as a trusted source of insight, empathy, and bold imagination for Alaska’s future.

Best wishes for a rich and rewarding role as editor.

Ky