Don't write off the newspaper industry just yet, said a 40-year editor and publisher of Brenham's community paper who retired Thursday.
"Just like every industry, we're going to be working with fewer people than in the past," said Charles Moser, 66. "But for those who have a passion for the news, there's always going to be a place. Learn how to write a good lead, make it interesting, write clearly and there will always be a job."
Moser began in his early 20s as editor and publisher of the six-day-a-week Banner-Press, which covers the city of about 16,000 south of College Station that draws thousands of spring visitors to see the area's bluebonnets blooming on the countryside.
A changing media landscape has hurt the industry, with free online access to news hobbling print circulation and the lion's share of advertising revenue that it provides, along with the still-growing high-tech competition. This has led to layoffs and other budget reductions at newspapers around the country.
But the Brenham paper has grown under Moser's tenure. It now has about seven newsroom employees, including three news reporters and one for sports. It was just Moser and one other person when the newsman started.
"There are challenges, but there have always been and there always will be challenges," said the 1965 Sam Houston State University graduate.
Under Moser's reign, the paper never shied away from covering the news of the day, said Arthur Hahn, the paper's managing editor, who began as a staff reporter in 1976.
"He's a true professional, a credit to our profession," Hahn said.
The new editor and publisher will be Mike Mueck, who has held advertising and publishing positions in Texas, including advertising sales manager of The Eagle from 1991-96.
Journalists tend to get nervous when advertising officials cross over into the newsroom, but Moser said he has confidence in Mueck.
"It'll be fine," he said. "Management folks come from all sorts of backgrounds. He'll be great. He's a community newspaper person. He knows what it's all about."
Moser will continue to live in Brenham and will maintain ties with the newspaper as publisher emeritus.
"It's been a great ride," he said.
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