Thursday, March 24, 2011

AnnArbor.com finally responds to layoffs

The three leaders of AnnArbor.com have come forward (partially) to update the community on their recent layoffs, etc.

It's amazing to me that they needed a year-and-a-half to find out that what people want is crime and breaking local news. Any first year journalism student could probably tell you that, but better late than never.

Keep the comments on the topic and not so much the personalities. Thanks.

Tone down alert

I reluctantly deleted a comment today (one of less than 10 since I began). I've been a little lax lately about the no last names rule, but when the comments get too personal it crosses my line.

Feel free to attack me, or disagree with me, but anonymous comments that take on folks who are not the subject of the post cross my imaginary line.

Sorry.

Best journalism ad ever (Foul language alert)

Mother Jones reported on this ad for the Sarasota newspaper. If they are serious this would be a great place for a reporter. Especially love they enjoy the sometimes angry interaction between reporters and editors. (Hat tip to Kevin M. for the link).

The best news rooms are the ones where there is a real tension between reporters and editors and the weekly, sometimes verbally violent, flare up between a reporter and his/her editor.

Instead of viewing it as a distraction, as was the case at the Journal, it should be viewed as professionals battling for the best product they can publish. As an editor I would never want a reporter who wouldn't battle hard for their work. (Heck, when I was chief editor of The State News I was at least once referred to - to my face - as a "goat brain" by one of my reporters.)

Newspapers should never discourage or punish passion, they should reward it.

A few of my confrontations were show stopping fits of anger (not really proud of all those) but they were out of my desire to produce the hardest and most interesting story I could.

Better reporters than me were constantly battling editors (and company lawyers) to keep in information they felt vital to the readers. Where that is happening, everyone wins.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Job opportunity

My former employer is looking for an editor. Don't tell them I sent you.

More 'good' publicity for AnnArbor.com

Looks like a choice for an editorial board member has met with a bit of controversy over at AnnArbor.com.

Make sure you read the comments under the AnnArbor.com posting.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

AP staffers protest contract

Oh, the happy business of journalism today. (Someone at Poynter should have caught the typo in the headline, though).

Another funny from The Onion

Spotted this on Facebook, good satire.