Mike Murray's letter to the editor criticizes The Herald's policy of linking reporters' wages to the number of stories produced. He argues that this practice diminishes journalism's essential role in a functioning democracy, suggesting that newspaper owners may not fully understand the public's need for reliable news coverage. Through his experience, Murray emphasizes the challenges reporters face when covering lengthy public meetings, such as city council sessions, which require significant time and effort to distill into informative articles. He warns that if reporters cannot adequately cover such meetings due to tight production quotas, citizens may remain unaware of crucial decisions impacting their community, such as the construction of new highways. This potential for citizens to be blindsided by local developments highlights the importance of diligent journalism.

Murray's plea is for fair compensation and a reevaluation of newsroom policies, advocating for a shift towards valuing quality reporting over sheer quantity, and emphasizing the need for responsible journalism that keeps the community informed.