Tom Gorman
Senior Editor, Print
Tom Gorman joined the Sun in 2005 from the Los Angeles Times, where his 32-year career spanned local, state and national reporting before moving to the metro editing desk. Gorman was hired at the Sun as a metro columnist. To qualify for a covered parking spot for precious shade, he became an editor, and in December 2009 was named senior editor, print. He has a degree from Cal State Fullerton.
[NV 0201] - Part 1: Intro and Contribution (7:01)
Tom Gorman, senior editor, print, Las Vegas Sun, started at The Sun in September 2005. Gorman wrote his first published story at age 15 for The Laguna News-Post, Laguna Beach, Calif. “I can’t imagine any other career that that gives you such an access to humanity,” says Gorman. Now he’s pleased that The Sun “can write stories that are more deeply reported” than its main competitor.
[NV 0202] - Part 2: Ethics and Content (5:11)
Tom Gorman, senior editor, print, Las Vegas Sun, says the Sun’s code has a key tenet that is critical in Las Vegas: “We don’t take freebies.” The Sun is also wary of using anonymous sources. Anonymous sources “must have a bone fide reason why they can’t be named,” says Gorman. Any information must also be “a background fact” says Gorman; anonymous opinions are not published. Gorman also says all the Sun’s stories – print or online -- are reviewed by an editor.
[NV 0203] - Part 3: Strategic Changes (7:02)
Tom Gorman, senior editor, print, Las Vegas Sun, says, The Sun’s print edition now emphasizes enterprise reporting, “Where the writer’s voice as an authority is present.” The Sun reduced its staff since the 2008 downturn, and the newspaper has reduced its reporting output. “We’re producing fewer stories,” says Gorman, “but we have not lowered the bar to our quality. ” Going forward, Gorman says The Sun’s goal is to “deliver content wherever we need to.”
[NV 0204] - Part 4: Adaptation & the Future (3:10)
Tom Gorman, senior editor, print, Las Vegas Sun, says his newsroom changed in 2005 when the print and the online staffs were merged. “It’s been a wonderful cross pollination of talents,” says Gorman.
[NV 0205] - Part 5: Preparation (2:07)
Tom Gorman, senior editor, print, Las Vegas Sun, says he is looking for “critical thinking skills” when he interviews prospective journalists. “I need a thinker…,” says Gorman. “I need somebody who is smart.”