Poynter: Romenesko
Your daily fix of media industry news, commentary, and memos.
Updated: 1 hour 28 min ago
Indianapolis Star drops The Prayer, readers complain
IndyStar.com
"The Prayer, a short ecumenical petition that is prayer at its most vanilla, has been a staple of the morning read for decades," writes Star blogger Robert King. "Interestingly enough the prayer's longtime companion, a daily attempt at humor in 8-point type known as the Chuckle, kept its slot."
"The Prayer, a short ecumenical petition that is prayer at its most vanilla, has been a staple of the morning read for decades," writes Star blogger Robert King. "Interestingly enough the prayer's longtime companion, a daily attempt at humor in 8-point type known as the Chuckle, kept its slot."
Bennett: I wasn't forced out as WP managing editor
Editor & Publisher
Speculation that he was pushed out of his job "would be wrong," says departing Post managing editor Phil Bennett. "It was my decision. The timing was determined as much by my own personal situation as anything, wanting to do something else and having another act."
> Jaffe: Will Don Graham buy a magazine for Bennett?
Speculation that he was pushed out of his job "would be wrong," says departing Post managing editor Phil Bennett. "It was my decision. The timing was determined as much by my own personal situation as anything, wanting to do something else and having another act."
> Jaffe: Will Don Graham buy a magazine for Bennett?
Additional items for January 5, 2009
> Abramowitz leaves WP to join the Holocaust Museum
> What should j-profs tell students about the news business?
> Blagojevich case is teaching material for Chicago j-profs
> Souza accepts position of Obama White House photographer
> Russ Smith: NYer piece muddies history of VV, other weeklies
> Business & Media Institute stops griping about housing coverage
> New California law protects school journalism advisors
> Tribune's bankruptcy may trigger tax complications
> Battle Creek Enquirer's printing press runs for the last time
> What did Einhorn bring to Sunday's NYT op-ed pieces?
> What should j-profs tell students about the news business?
> Blagojevich case is teaching material for Chicago j-profs
> Souza accepts position of Obama White House photographer
> Russ Smith: NYer piece muddies history of VV, other weeklies
> Business & Media Institute stops griping about housing coverage
> New California law protects school journalism advisors
> Tribune's bankruptcy may trigger tax complications
> Battle Creek Enquirer's printing press runs for the last time
> What did Einhorn bring to Sunday's NYT op-ed pieces?
Toronto Star ombudsman invites readers to play editor
Toronto Star
A woman is struck by a bus and dragged beneath its wheels to her death. Some witnesses tell a reporter that the victim was decapitated. Do you publish this fact in the article and headline? Readers are asked to make the call. PLUS: More decisions for reader-editors. || More editor/publisher/ombud columns:
> Strib's goal for 2009 is to improve its investigative reporting
> N&O editor: Gov's wrong; our series wasn't a "hatchet job"
> WP Co.'s community papers switch to broadsheet format
> Lafayette, La. paper makes changes to deal with tough times
> Temple has lunch with the next U.S. senator for Colorado
> Vaden: Middle East violence guarantees news bias complaints
> Reader thinks he sees a same-sex couple in photo, gets upset
A woman is struck by a bus and dragged beneath its wheels to her death. Some witnesses tell a reporter that the victim was decapitated. Do you publish this fact in the article and headline? Readers are asked to make the call. PLUS: More decisions for reader-editors. || More editor/publisher/ombud columns:
> Strib's goal for 2009 is to improve its investigative reporting
> N&O editor: Gov's wrong; our series wasn't a "hatchet job"
> WP Co.'s community papers switch to broadsheet format
> Lafayette, La. paper makes changes to deal with tough times
> Temple has lunch with the next U.S. senator for Colorado
> Vaden: Middle East violence guarantees news bias complaints
> Reader thinks he sees a same-sex couple in photo, gets upset
Bennett out as Washington Post managing editor
Romenesko Memos
"I've decided it's the right moment for me to move on to new things," writes Phil Bennett (left) in a memo to his staff. "Next week, I'll move to the 9th floor to work for Don [Graham] on a project relating to the future of the news business. I will be writing, thinking about what's next -- and pulling for you." || Related memo from executive editor Marcus Brauchli.
> Downie says Bennett "definitely exceeded my expectations"
"I've decided it's the right moment for me to move on to new things," writes Phil Bennett (left) in a memo to his staff. "Next week, I'll move to the 9th floor to work for Don [Graham] on a project relating to the future of the news business. I will be writing, thinking about what's next -- and pulling for you." || Related memo from executive editor Marcus Brauchli.
> Downie says Bennett "definitely exceeded my expectations"
Mutter on Lee Enterprises: "There is a reasonably robust business here"
Reflections of a Newsosaur
Although auditors have said the newspaper chain is in danger of defaulting on $1.4 billion in debt, Lee Enterprises still produces a larger operating profit, percentage-wise, than Exxon, notes Alan Mutter. "While Lee is in a distinctly unpleasant position with respect to its shareholders and lenders, it is important to note that the business generated $207.2 million in operating profits last year on sales of a bit more than $1 billion."
Although auditors have said the newspaper chain is in danger of defaulting on $1.4 billion in debt, Lee Enterprises still produces a larger operating profit, percentage-wise, than Exxon, notes Alan Mutter. "While Lee is in a distinctly unpleasant position with respect to its shareholders and lenders, it is important to note that the business generated $207.2 million in operating profits last year on sales of a bit more than $1 billion."
"Too many reporters are so inauthentic," says Claman
Washington Post
"They look so greedy. They look so obnoxious: 'I need this to be exclusive!' I don't strong-arm anyone, ever," says Liz Claman, who left CNBC a year ago to join Fox Business Network. "I'm not a BusinessWeek reporter who knows how to perfectly distill a balance sheet. But I know a good business story when I see it. ...At CNBC it was a game of who can be the smartest, who can throw around the most alphabet soup -- CDSs, CDOs."
"They look so greedy. They look so obnoxious: 'I need this to be exclusive!' I don't strong-arm anyone, ever," says Liz Claman, who left CNBC a year ago to join Fox Business Network. "I'm not a BusinessWeek reporter who knows how to perfectly distill a balance sheet. But I know a good business story when I see it. ...At CNBC it was a game of who can be the smartest, who can throw around the most alphabet soup -- CDSs, CDOs."
Dumenco: Huffington Post worth $200 million? Try $2 million!
Advertising Age
The $200 million figure appeared in the the New York Times last spring, though anybody with basic math skills and a halfway-decent b.s. detector knew it was nonsense, says Simon Dumenco. "So how'd I come up with my $2 million figure?" he writes. "Basically all I did was look at HuffPo's competition, in particular a similarly left-leaning content site that's well-established." That's Salon, which had $1.98 million in revenue and a loss of $1.28 million in the quarter ending Sept. 30.
> Arianna Huffington's motto for 2009 is unplug and recharge
The $200 million figure appeared in the the New York Times last spring, though anybody with basic math skills and a halfway-decent b.s. detector knew it was nonsense, says Simon Dumenco. "So how'd I come up with my $2 million figure?" he writes. "Basically all I did was look at HuffPo's competition, in particular a similarly left-leaning content site that's well-established." That's Salon, which had $1.98 million in revenue and a loss of $1.28 million in the quarter ending Sept. 30.
> Arianna Huffington's motto for 2009 is unplug and recharge
New York Times begins selling front page display ads
New York Times | All Things D | Media Nation
CBS bought the first ad, which appears in today's Times. The paper wouldn't disclose to its reporter the rates it charges for ads on page one. || Peter Kafka: "This is only historic because the Times management has been so stubborn about keeping its front page pristine. It's hard to imagine that any reader will care." || Dan Kennedy: Why the Times' front page ads don't matter.
> NYT expected to survive the industry shakeout, but...
CBS bought the first ad, which appears in today's Times. The paper wouldn't disclose to its reporter the rates it charges for ads on page one. || Peter Kafka: "This is only historic because the Times management has been so stubborn about keeping its front page pristine. It's hard to imagine that any reader will care." || Dan Kennedy: Why the Times' front page ads don't matter.
> NYT expected to survive the industry shakeout, but...
Former Sun-Times columnist Mariotti joins AOL Sports
Chicago Tribune | AOL Sports
Jay Mariotti, who resigned from the Chicago Sun-Times after 17 years in August, becomes AOL Sports' full-time national columnist and commentator on a variety of its platforms. || Mariotti writes in his debut AOL column: "I am here to bring you fiercely independent views about a multi-billion-dollar industry that is more complex than ever and, somehow, more fun than ever."
Jay Mariotti, who resigned from the Chicago Sun-Times after 17 years in August, becomes AOL Sports' full-time national columnist and commentator on a variety of its platforms. || Mariotti writes in his debut AOL column: "I am here to bring you fiercely independent views about a multi-billion-dollar industry that is more complex than ever and, somehow, more fun than ever."
"Reinvention of newspapers will reach unprecedented heights in 2009"
Boston Phoenix
"As with biological evolution, some of this change will be beautiful, some of it will be ugly, and some of it will just ... be," writes Adam Reilly. He has a preview.
"As with biological evolution, some of this change will be beautiful, some of it will be ugly, and some of it will just ... be," writes Adam Reilly. He has a preview.
Additional items for January 2, 2009
> Adoption agency owned by Neuharth's wife gets Freedom Forum money
> Emily White: Where's the blogosphere's great arts criticism?
> Bob Norman's writing for a "web platform with a print piece"
> Celeb mags' obsession with Obama seems to be helping him
> Calvert: Odds are Iseman vs. NYT won't go to trial
> Rosenberg, Feldman discuss the perils of media speed
> Questions Boston mag should have asked Barnicle
> Sklar: 2008 was a strange year for media. What's up for '09?
> (Audio) Wisconsin Newspapers Association exec stays optimistic
> Claim: WP education writer "at war" with DC schools chief
> Milwaukee JS scolded for calling its 50% price hike "modest"
> Boston Herald fails to put itself on its "naughty" list
> Emily White: Where's the blogosphere's great arts criticism?
> Bob Norman's writing for a "web platform with a print piece"
> Celeb mags' obsession with Obama seems to be helping him
> Calvert: Odds are Iseman vs. NYT won't go to trial
> Rosenberg, Feldman discuss the perils of media speed
> Questions Boston mag should have asked Barnicle
> Sklar: 2008 was a strange year for media. What's up for '09?
> (Audio) Wisconsin Newspapers Association exec stays optimistic
> Claim: WP education writer "at war" with DC schools chief
> Milwaukee JS scolded for calling its 50% price hike "modest"
> Boston Herald fails to put itself on its "naughty" list
Star-Ledger says farewell to staffers who took buyouts
Newark Star-Ledger
"Boxes were packed, photos came down. Memories flowed," writes Mark Dilonno. "In this room are people I have known for 30 years, back when a bunch of us started at the Daily Record of Morristown. That's twice as long as both of my marriages lasted, combined."
"Boxes were packed, photos came down. Memories flowed," writes Mark Dilonno. "In this room are people I have known for 30 years, back when a bunch of us started at the Daily Record of Morristown. That's twice as long as both of my marriages lasted, combined."
SF-based AsianWeek puts out its final print edition
San Francisco Chronicle
The 30-year-old publication will continue to publish online. A letter to readers notes: "There are fewer major newspapers, fewer newspaper readers and fewer newspaper advertisers than ever before. ...Meanwhile, Asian Pacific Americans have led the way in the digital revolution, migrating away from print media and into receiving their news and information electronically."
> Kansas City Kansan goes online-only beginning Jan. 10
The 30-year-old publication will continue to publish online. A letter to readers notes: "There are fewer major newspapers, fewer newspaper readers and fewer newspaper advertisers than ever before. ...Meanwhile, Asian Pacific Americans have led the way in the digital revolution, migrating away from print media and into receiving their news and information electronically."
> Kansas City Kansan goes online-only beginning Jan. 10
GateHouse Media suspends 401(k) contributions
Romenesko Memos | Poynter Online
CEO Michael Reed tells employees: "The company will revisit this issue and hopes to be able to provide this discretionary benefit under the 401(k) Plan at some time in the future." || Related Al Tompkins post.
CEO Michael Reed tells employees: "The company will revisit this issue and hopes to be able to provide this discretionary benefit under the 401(k) Plan at some time in the future." || Related Al Tompkins post.
Don't bother sending e-mails to Parker about the dead (or dying) MSM
Washington Post Writers Group
She's set her spam filter to bounce them. "The mainstream media aren't really dead, of course," writes Kathleen Parker. "The industry has merely transmogrified, splintered into a billion little reflections of its former self. ...Bloggers, bless their hearts, are becoming the new-old curmudgeons, thinking hard before writing, still insisting on complete sentences with more than 140 characters, clinging to their gerunds, participles and semicolons."
She's set her spam filter to bounce them. "The mainstream media aren't really dead, of course," writes Kathleen Parker. "The industry has merely transmogrified, splintered into a billion little reflections of its former self. ...Bloggers, bless their hearts, are becoming the new-old curmudgeons, thinking hard before writing, still insisting on complete sentences with more than 140 characters, clinging to their gerunds, participles and semicolons."
Why are TV/radio news directors teaming up with Ivanhoe Broadcast News?
Schwitzer Health News Blog
Ivanhoe Broadcast News, which allows local reporters to put their names on stories they didn't report, and the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation have joined forces "to provide two new training opportunities for journalists," says a release. Former CNN medical reporter Andrew Holtz asks: "What are they going to teach -- how to do single source stories where only the providers of a product or service are interviewed?"
Ivanhoe Broadcast News, which allows local reporters to put their names on stories they didn't report, and the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation have joined forces "to provide two new training opportunities for journalists," says a release. Former CNN medical reporter Andrew Holtz asks: "What are they going to teach -- how to do single source stories where only the providers of a product or service are interviewed?"
Harvard Square newsstand sold the magazine that started the computer revolution
Boston Globe
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics at Out of Town News newsstand, which now faces an uncertain future. It was that magazine that got Allen and Bill Gates dreaming about a computer in every home and on every desk. "I can still remember grabbing the Popular Electronics as if it was yesterday," says Allen.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen bought the January 1975 issue of Popular Electronics at Out of Town News newsstand, which now faces an uncertain future. It was that magazine that got Allen and Bill Gates dreaming about a computer in every home and on every desk. "I can still remember grabbing the Popular Electronics as if it was yesterday," says Allen.
Dentist accused of fondling patients wants media barred from his trial
Sacramento Bee
The Sacramento Bee will be in court on Monday to contest the motion. "It's very unusual," says the paper's attorney. "I don't think I've seen one like this in 30 years."
The Sacramento Bee will be in court on Monday to contest the motion. "It's very unusual," says the paper's attorney. "I don't think I've seen one like this in 30 years."
Lee posts $879M loss for 2008, faces NYSE delisting as its stock slides to .41
St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Reflections of a Newsosaur
Lee Enterprises filed its annual report on New Years Eve, and in it auditor KPMG says it has "substantial doubt about [Lee's] ability to continue as a going concern." The Post-Dispatch parent is talking with lenders to restructure $306 million in debt that's due in April. It doesn't have the cash to both pay off that debt and meet its 2009 operating costs. || Related from Alan Mutter.
Lee Enterprises filed its annual report on New Years Eve, and in it auditor KPMG says it has "substantial doubt about [Lee's] ability to continue as a going concern." The Post-Dispatch parent is talking with lenders to restructure $306 million in debt that's due in April. It doesn't have the cash to both pay off that debt and meet its 2009 operating costs. || Related from Alan Mutter.