Introduction

The News-Press’ editors decided to appeal to their readers for assistance with the Cape Coral sewer hook-up story. Though the paper had on previous occasions used its forums to request information, the editors felt that the solicitation in this case should be more prominent. They wanted to make it visible to news-press.com readers who visited only the news sections of the website, as well as those who used the forums. They also decided to print the request in the newspaper. As Metro Editor Betty Wells recalls the discussion: “We came to the conclusion that... we need to just cross that bridge and flat-out say, ‘What do you know? And what do you want to know? ... How can you help us... figure out this mess?’”

On Friday, July 14, 2006, the News-Press and news-press.com published an editorial by Cape Coral Bureau Chief Tom Hayden headlined: “Help investigate controversial project.” Hayden explained that the paper was launching an investigation into the Cape Coral utility story. He asked readers to contact the paper either by phone, email, or forum with their input and ideas. “Tell us what you want us to look into,” he wrote. “Be our eyes and ears on the street. What’s going on in your neighborhood? What are you being charged? Can you afford it?” He included his phone number and email address, as well as those of reporters Don Ruane and Jeff Cull. A similar announcement appeared on the front page of news-press.com, summarizing the paper’s approach to the investigation and encouraging readers to comment in the forums or contact Ruane, Cull, or Hayden.