Playing It Safe The average newspaper office receives many times the amount of foreign news than it has place to print. The editor has to include or jettison items as he sees fit. It is inevitable that his ideas of what the reader wants to know, or should know, are decisive. Because the newspaper owners don't want to endanger a lucrative business. There is a constant tussle between personal opinion and the desire not to offend too many readers or advertisers. It is intrinsic to the operation of all mass media that they avoid being too extremist in their news coverage or editorials. once in a blue moon--His wife complained that they go out to dinner and a show once in a blue moon. (on a very rare occasion.)