Reporter sues over "press release" firing

There is little in this reporter's defense of his firing that makes sense to me. On the other hand, I think it would have been ethical (but lazy) to use chunks of a press release as long as you were clear to the reader that you had done that.

Things are shaking at the Detroit Free Press

Had a couple of calls and e-mails urging me to report that the Detroit Free Press was on its last legs. As always I held off until I got better info. Not sure this is great info, but it at least confirms why the rumor mill was griding out grist.

More on the copy "farms"

A FFE reader sent along a link with more information about the pathetic use of copy "farms" to fill out local content in some newspapers.

Advance touts its Online market

These numbers sound good for Advance. What I don't know, and what is not explained, is how this is translating into dollars for the company. I do notice that they have hired back some pretty decent writers (at least on a free lance basis) who I used to work with. So that is good.

The new journalism: It's worse than I thought

If you wondered where "journalism" is headed in the new age, just read this story.

And a little more on this from the Chicago Tribune.

Confession: Good for the soul, but not for the boss

A Monroe reporter is dealing with the aftermath of a confessional column he recently wrote. Follow the links to get the whole picture.