20061209 Is a new age of American Journalism by Mark Tapscott

Is a new age of American Journalism right around the corner?

December 9th, 2006

Tapscott's Copy Desk on Examiner.com
http://www.examiner.com/blogs/tapscotts_copy_desk

Mark Tapscott[1] is a fellow Carroll Countian and the editorial page editor for the Washington Examiner.

On Mr. Tapscott’s blog, “Tapscott’s Copy Desk,” he has quite an interesting post on the future of journalism, which makes for a worthwhile read:

Is a new golden age of American journalism right around the corner?

December 6, 5:36 PM

This may shock some but my answer to the question posed by the headline is an enthusiastic yes. The Internet has reduced the cost of publishing to virtually zero and made it possible for everybody with access to a computer to have their say on anything and everything.

When the creative energies of a bunch of people are given free rein - which by the way is essentially what the free market does on the economic side of life - good things happen. Innovative new products and services appear, problems are solved and opportunities created. There is no reason to think journalism is exempt from this process.

There are all kinds of fascinating new approaches to the gathering and reporting of news. Blogs, of course, represent the biggest expansion of publishing in the history of mankind and, while most of the estimated 55 million blogs now in existence are not devoted to the news, thousands of them are and the result is more news is being produced, sliced and diced and communicated than ever.

Read the rest here.

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[1] According to a brief bio on Mark Tapscott’s blog, “Tapscott’s Copy Desk,” “Mark Tapscott is editorial page editor of The Washington Examiner and tracks the internet revolution in media and government. He is a member of the National Freedom of Information Hall of Fame and a member of the Media Bloggers Association board of directors. He is also a founding member and host of NewsTrust.net, as well as a visiting journalism fellow at The Heritage Foundation think tank.”

20060330 Always Dress better than expected

Always Dress better than expected

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Crosspost: Originally posted at - http://www.kevindayhoff.com/2006/03/20060329-always-dress-better-than_30.html I reworked it a bit when I brought it over to “Soundtrack.”

HAT TIP Wonkette

Examiner Watch

OMG - It would appear that there is a war of the wardrobe occurring in the pressroom these days. Since journalists have always been know to be such slaves to fashion, this blogger is simply aghast that such memos are even necessary.

Thank goodness, according to the mainstream media, all it would appear that I need to wear while slaving away at the keyboard is my pajamas.

It was noticed that the memo also addressed proper shoes…

And obviously, it goes without saying that the family values poster child, Britney Spears cannot work at the Washington Examiner.

Many thanks to Wonkette for keeping us up to date on such pressing matters.

DC Examiner Dress Code: Only Due Attention To Ones Self, Please

This just in from Wonkette:

http://www.wonkette.com/

March 29, 2006

What, you think working for a free paper is all loosey-goosey anything goes hippie bullshit? It's a business, dammit, you'll treat it as such! Here, for your perusal, are samples from the dress code at the DC Examiner (instututed, no doubt, after Vivienne Sosnowski showed up in torn denim mini-skit and studded collar) -- we note that it doesn't appear to have been written (or read) by a copy-editor.

From the "Appropriate" column:

Dresses (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee). ["more than"?]

Pants in business suitable fabrics. [Satin, leather, vinyl, etc.]

And the more fun "Inappropriate" column:

Any type of denim (including jean dresses, denim shirts, denim pants, denim skirts, etc.).

Any material resembling denim.

Khaki or Docker- style pants. [Harsh, but fair -- we have a similar rule against tucking your t-shirt into your jeans]

Stirrup pants and leggings. [That, along with their anti-sweatband and big sunglasses provision, explains their disappointing lack of hipster coverage]

Camouflage clothing [Despite this, they still manage to poach Wash Times staffers]

Clothing is not to be overly tight nor draw undue attention to ones self.

Full memo after the jump.

It is important for all employees to project a professional image of Washington Newspaper Publishing Company, LLC.

To create this image to our clients and /or visitors, WNP has implemented a dress-code policy. The following list is a guideline of what attire is appropriate and inappropriate. This list is not all inclusive but is a guide.

APPROPRIATE:

Dresses (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).

Suits/pantsuits/ties.

Skirts (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).

Blouses/shirts.

Blazers.

Vests.

Walking shorts/skorts in business suitable fabrics (length cannot be more than three inches above the knee).

Pants in business suitable fabrics.

Any type of business shoe (heels, flats, etc.).

INAPPROPRIATE:

Any type of denim (including jean dresses, denim shirts, denim pants, denim skirts, etc.).

Any material resembling denim.

Casual/sport T-shirts (including logo merchandise).

Casual shorts.

Khaki or Docker- style pants.

Stirrup pants and leggings.

Casual sandals, athletic or canvas shoes, casual boots, flip flops,

Flannel shirts.

Camouflage clothing

Bras, sport bras, tank tops, etc. (must be fully covered by clothing), short/crop tops. Mid drifts are not to be visible.

Employees dealing with and interacting with the public and clients are not to wear facial piercings.

Clothing is not to be overly tight nor draw undue attention to ones self.

Employees violating the code may be sent home, without pay, to change and may be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination.

Employees are also reminded that it is your responsibility to keep your work area clean. Papers are not to be stockpiled, work information is to be put away daily, excessive trash must be removed. If you see papers on the floor in your area or common areas, take the minute necessary to pick it up and throw it away or straighten it up. Employees are not to eat meals at desks or in work areas. All locations have break rooms! Do not keep food at your desk or store food in your work area.

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

E-mail him at: kdayhoff@carr.org

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