How Newspapers Lost Their Mojo by Damon Kiesow in Poynter

How Newspapers Lost Their Mojo

by Damon Kiesow May 18, 2010

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=134&aid=183008

Chuck Myron thinks newspapers might have lost their mojo. The last time he saw it was in 2006 somewhere around Fort Myers, Fla.

That was the year Gannett began field-testing their mobile journalism project at a handful of papers around the country. Myron and a dozen of his colleagues at the Fort Myers News-Press were given laptops, cameras and wireless Internet cards and told to go forth and report from on-the-road around the paper’s 811-square mile coverage area.

Myron’s summation of the project and of the industry since then is brief and to the point: “I think there has been too great an emphasis on technology and not enough on journalism.”

That is also the thesis of his book-in-progress that argues the pursuit of technology is overshadowing the practice of journalism at many newspapers. The working title is appropriately enough "How Newspapers Lost Their Mojo" and focuses on his time at the News-Press from 2005 to 2007.

Read the entire story here: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=134&aid=183008

via Poynter Online 5/18/2010 Damon Kiesow How Newspapers Lost Their Mojo

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WP ombud: Growing numbers of readers are complaining about typos and small errors

WP ombud: Growing numbers of readers are complaining about typos and small errors

Washington Post Why that's happening: Between early 2005 and mid-2008, the number of full-time WP copy editors dropped from about 75 to 43 through buyouts or voluntary departures, reports Andrew Alexander.

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=166262

Jul. 6, 2009 Copy editing

20090706 sdosm WaPo readers complaining about typos and small errors

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Globe staff to Sulzberger: "We believe you don't want us to take a 23% pay cut"

Home > Romenesko: Globe staff to Sulzberger: "We believe you don't want us to take a 23% pay cut"

Boston Globe staffers' letter to Arthur Sulzberger Jr.; sent on June 9

http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=45&aid=164936

Related: Sulzberger responds to Globe reporters' letter

Dear Mr. Sulzberger,

We have long admired your commitment to producing the world's best journalism. We know, as a former reporter, that you appreciate the work we do and how we have continued to publish hard-hitting, thoughtful papers throughout these hard times.

Despite all the rhetoric of the last few weeks, we believe you want to do the right thing – that, at bottom, you’re a mensch. We’re all too aware of the awful economic climate and the precipitous challenges to the newspaper industry. Most of us went into this work because of our love for it, not for the money. We never expected high salaries; we just wanted reasonable pay, enough to make ends meet.

We’re writing to you because we’re asking for you to step in and show us what we have admired about you for years – your fair-minded leadership. We’re asking you to call off the lawyers, head off a bitter fight, and come forward with a plan that would attract a bit more support from the Guild.

More than 130 members of the Guild – surely enough to tip the balance in any future vote – have signed a petition, saying we’re ready to take painful cuts and do what it takes to preserve the long-term future of The Boston Globe. Many of us voted against the contract because we saw it as inequitable – that we were being asked to take a steeper cut than management. If you could find a middle ground that would provide more equity – such as making our pay cut equivalent to that of management – I’m sure you’ll find significantly more support.

We believe that you don't want us to take a 23 percent pay cut. We believe you understand that the consequences of such a drastic cut would be disastrous for many of us who have worked tirelessly for the Globe for years. Not only could many of us lose our homes and our child care, but too much of our top talent might no longer be able to afford to work for a newspaper that they’ve given their hearts and souls to for so long.

Mr. Sulzberger, we're asking for your leadership. You can make a difference. We desperately need it right now.

We look forward to your response.

All the best,

Concerned Reporters at The Boston Globe

Washington Baltimore Newspaper Guild release: More cuts at the Baltimore Sun

Washington Baltimore Newspaper Guild release

Poynter Online Poynter Forums

View Forum Post
Topic: Miscellaneous items
Date/Time: 4/29/2009 4:50:47 PM
Title: More cuts at the Baltimore Sun
Posted By: Jim Romenesko

For more information go to Poynter Online
http://www.poynter.org/

Newspaper Guild release

http://www.poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=13920

TRIBUNE CO. ANNOUNCES PLANS TO LAYOFF 27 PERCENT OF THE BALTIMORE SUN’S NEWSROOM STAFF, INCLUDING FOUR COLUMNISTS

Layoff notices comes as Tribune slashes 18 senior editors and newsroom managers on Tuesday and Wednesday without warning.

BALTIMORE, Md., April 29, 2009 – Members of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild said yesterday that Tribune Co. is bent on gutting what was once one of America’s great newspapers after 40 newsroom employees, or 20 percent of the staff, received layoff notices yesterday.

The move comes a day after Tribune fired 18 senior editors and newsroom managers on Tuesday and Wednesday without warning. Many of the editors and managers, who are not members of the newspaper guild, were ushered out of the newsroom by security guards.

“Tribune, through careless management practices, has saddled itself under $13 billion in debt and now Baltimore is paying a price,” said Cet Parks, Executive Director of the Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild. “Tribune is siphoning good jobs from Baltimore and sending work that talented editors, reporters, photographers, copy editors and designers have done here to its home base in Chicago. That is not right.”

Tribune plans to lay off the 40 newsroom employees by May 27. Targeted employees, who include four columnists, photographers, critics and copy editors, received hand delivered letters Wednesday afternoon signed by Monty Cook, senior vice president and editor. Also, in the last two weeks The Sun has laid off seven employees in other departments including advertising and customer service.

Since Tribune acquired The Sun in 1999, the newsroom staff has been cut by more than 60 percent to currently 148 employees from roughly 420.

"While we understand that media companies, especially newspapers, are reeling from declining advertising revenue, shrinking circulation and a year-and-a-half of recession, we believe Baltimore needs a metropolitan paper that covers the important events in the region,” said Angela Kuhl, Guild Unit Chair who works at The Sun. “It is imperative that Baltimore maintains a newspaper that brings people news, exciting and provocative stories and enriches the lives of all who live here.”

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20090429 Washington Baltimore Newspaper Guild release

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