One interesting thing about getting laid off when you're a journalist is that sometimes your paper lets you write about it. This column is from Matt Farley, a reporter at the Reno Gazette-Journal (Gannett paper), who recently received his pink slip:
http://www.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200812120137/CARSON/812120332
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Young columnist confesses: 'I murdered news'
Youthful syndicated columnist Brian Till on December 15 asserted that newspapers giving away their main product and service -- journalism -- can't continue.
And he did so dramatically.
"A lot of conversations I've had over the past few weeks have centered upon the American decline, not in terms of global influence and economic standing, but in terms of journalism," he wrote. "I've found myself speaking with students of the field, freelance writers and grayed reporters, all of us solemnly reflecting, as if a good friend had died.
"And then something struck me," he continued. "I spend hours a day reading news, digging into any paper I can find, from Lebanon's Daily Star to the Buenos Aires Herald, but I've only purchased about a dozen American papers in the last year.
And he did so dramatically.
"A lot of conversations I've had over the past few weeks have centered upon the American decline, not in terms of global influence and economic standing, but in terms of journalism," he wrote. "I've found myself speaking with students of the field, freelance writers and grayed reporters, all of us solemnly reflecting, as if a good friend had died.
"And then something struck me," he continued. "I spend hours a day reading news, digging into any paper I can find, from Lebanon's Daily Star to the Buenos Aires Herald, but I've only purchased about a dozen American papers in the last year.
"I, I realized, am the murderer of news."
Each of us are "free riders " -- and fail to see how we've contributed to the stress, if not death, of U.S. newspapers, he adds, and charging a reasonable fee for information is an answer.
Check out his whole column, distributed by Creators Syndicate -- http://www.creators.com/opinion/brian-till/i-am-the-murderer-of-news.html
Monday, December 8, 2008
Economy hits broadcasting, too
The Chicago Tribune's announcement today that it was going bankrupt to protect itself from creditors while it reorganized was another example of newspapers at least somewhat covering its industry's woes, but broadcasting is starting to acknowledge the same problems -- leading to cutbacks, hiring freezes, consolidation of features such as distant/remote weather reports, and even layoffs.
This morning's Mediaweek piece by Katy Bachman underscores how radio and television are profoundly affected by the economic downturn and related ties to drops in advertising.
It's silent about loss of audience to cable and the Internet, which has been occasionally covered elsewhere, and about the colossal debt that some broadcasting groups are enduring almost as much as newspaper chains such as Tribune, McClatchy and GateHouse.
However, it concedes that there are difficult times ahead next year, and implies that no one really knows what to expect.
Check out Bachman's entire article -- http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3ie8946cda1b3f6da2608b2711ff8613f4
Exciting times.
This morning's Mediaweek piece by Katy Bachman underscores how radio and television are profoundly affected by the economic downturn and related ties to drops in advertising.
It's silent about loss of audience to cable and the Internet, which has been occasionally covered elsewhere, and about the colossal debt that some broadcasting groups are enduring almost as much as newspaper chains such as Tribune, McClatchy and GateHouse.
However, it concedes that there are difficult times ahead next year, and implies that no one really knows what to expect.
Check out Bachman's entire article -- http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/content_display/news/local-broadcast/e3ie8946cda1b3f6da2608b2711ff8613f4
Exciting times.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Internship directory available from Inland Press
The Inland Press Association last week invited students to use the new online version of its 2009 Guide to Newspaper Internships. The free access to the 14-page pdf file is offered to assist job seekers in connecting with newspaper job opportunities.
The directory presents internships offered by newspapers throughout the United States. There are internships in all major newspaper departments: news-editorial, online and new media, advertising, production and photography.
“Inland also invites newspaper job seekers to post resumes online at its Web site,
Inlandpress.org, and to provide hard copies to the Inland offices via e-mail at inland@inlandpress.org, which can be forwarded to newspapers seeking leads on applicants,” added Inland executive director Ray Carlsen. “There is no charge for either
Service.
Jobseekers also are invited to use Inland’s monthly newspaper to newspapers, The Inlander, which offers position-wanted advertising at $1 for every six words or portion thereof. A blind box costs $2 extra. The Inlander circulates to a paid circulation list of more than 4,700 newspaper editors and senior managers. All Inlander position-wanted. ads also are posted online at Inlandpress.org.
http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2008/12/04/jobs/internship_directory/doc484062a01a926022345049.txt
The directory presents internships offered by newspapers throughout the United States. There are internships in all major newspaper departments: news-editorial, online and new media, advertising, production and photography.
“Inland also invites newspaper job seekers to post resumes online at its Web site,
Inlandpress.org, and to provide hard copies to the Inland offices via e-mail at inland@inlandpress.org, which can be forwarded to newspapers seeking leads on applicants,” added Inland executive director Ray Carlsen. “There is no charge for either
Service.
Jobseekers also are invited to use Inland’s monthly newspaper to newspapers, The Inlander, which offers position-wanted advertising at $1 for every six words or portion thereof. A blind box costs $2 extra. The Inlander circulates to a paid circulation list of more than 4,700 newspaper editors and senior managers. All Inlander position-wanted. ads also are posted online at Inlandpress.org.
http://www.inlandpress.org/articles/2008/12/04/jobs/internship_directory/doc484062a01a926022345049.txt
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