Eric Alterman wrote a piece for the New Yorker about the fate of newspapers. He touches on the historical purpose and views of news papers as well the contemporary views. Many peoplebelieve that newspapers will go the way the way of the dinosaurs. Alterman states the New York Times Company saw a 54 percent decline in its stock at the end of 2004. It's not just the Times that has seen a drastic decline in profits its all newspapers, it's all newspapers.
I don't believe that newspapers will go extinct. I do however think that newspapers will have to change their business models drastically in order to compete. I found the fact that The Washington Post Company owns the testing and prep company Kaplan. Kaplan brings in over half of its revenues. I believe newspapers will have to diversify its business models in order to compete. The plan of action newspapers will take is something each individual paper will have to figure out for itself.
If newspapers don't figure out how to diversify then unfortunately they will fall prey to the internet. I know I consume most of my news from the internet and TV. I hate having to deal with cumbersome newspapers and figuring out how to fold it and did I mix up any pages. For me newspapers aren’t worth the trouble they give me so a quickly turn to the internet for any information.
Alterman also notes the average age of a newspaper reader is 55 and up. One would think with the majority of Americans being in that age group of 55 and up that readership would remain at least constant for newspapers but unfortunately it not.
As a soon to be working journalist, I find it really sad that newspapers are having a hard time. TV news only gives a quick glimpse of what is going on. Newspapers have always been around for the in-depth and hard-hitting investigative pieces. If we loose newspapers then we are losing an essential part to our society.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Somewhere There Is a Pony
Underneath all this manure there is a pony. This quote means somewhere underneath all the crap you are giving me there are some golden nuggets of information. This is what my 9th grade world history teacher, whose name escapes me at the moment, at Irmo High School (Go Yellow Jackets) in Columbia, South Carolina use to say. I heard this phrase again today for the first time in a long time. Now keep this saying in mind.
Today I had the pleasure to miss class and attend the William O’Neil Lecture in Business Journalism featuring Alan Sloan. Allan Sloan is the editor at large for Fortune magazine. Mr. Sloan spoke to a room full of journalism students, business majors, and one lone theater student.
I actually think it’s cool the theater student was at this lecture. We journalism heads don’t really have the opportunity interact very much with the theater, dance, and art students unless we are already friends with some, but that’s an issue for another blog.
Now back to the topic
So Mr. Sloan was here to touch on the topic of “Is Journalism Dead? And Should it Be?”
In this blog, I am supposed to summarize the lecture and discuss points he made I agree or disagree with.
I will discuss a talking point first.
One student, my friend Johnny, asked Mr. Sloan if our generation will have jobs in the next 30 years. Mr. Sloan said yes but what those jobs will be he doesn’t know.
I agree. There are jobs in this world that exist to day that did not exist 10 years ago. In journalism, there will be jobs that exist in 10, 15, and 30 years from now that don’t exist today. The field is at a crossroads. It has to some how reconcile its past with its future. The business is trying to figure out how to move forward and incorporate new technology but keep the structure of the traditional newspapers and broadcast alive. How the business will work this out I don’t know. Mr. Sloan couldn’t answer it either. Like all things I believe journalism as a business will find its footing.
I honestly cannot summarize the lecture.I don’t think it came full circle. He really didn’t touch on the topic until the Q&A portion. To me the lecture was unfocused. I know I wasn’t the only student who expressed this sentiment afterwards. I feel like I learned more about his family than the topic. I do appreciate that Mr. Sloan went into how he started out as a business journalist. That is important especially if you are speaking at the William J. O’Neil Business Journalism series. I do feel the lecture could have been more focused on the topic than it was.
However somewhere I found the pony.
Today I had the pleasure to miss class and attend the William O’Neil Lecture in Business Journalism featuring Alan Sloan. Allan Sloan is the editor at large for Fortune magazine. Mr. Sloan spoke to a room full of journalism students, business majors, and one lone theater student.
I actually think it’s cool the theater student was at this lecture. We journalism heads don’t really have the opportunity interact very much with the theater, dance, and art students unless we are already friends with some, but that’s an issue for another blog.
Now back to the topic
So Mr. Sloan was here to touch on the topic of “Is Journalism Dead? And Should it Be?”
In this blog, I am supposed to summarize the lecture and discuss points he made I agree or disagree with.
I will discuss a talking point first.
One student, my friend Johnny, asked Mr. Sloan if our generation will have jobs in the next 30 years. Mr. Sloan said yes but what those jobs will be he doesn’t know.
I agree. There are jobs in this world that exist to day that did not exist 10 years ago. In journalism, there will be jobs that exist in 10, 15, and 30 years from now that don’t exist today. The field is at a crossroads. It has to some how reconcile its past with its future. The business is trying to figure out how to move forward and incorporate new technology but keep the structure of the traditional newspapers and broadcast alive. How the business will work this out I don’t know. Mr. Sloan couldn’t answer it either. Like all things I believe journalism as a business will find its footing.
I honestly cannot summarize the lecture.I don’t think it came full circle. He really didn’t touch on the topic until the Q&A portion. To me the lecture was unfocused. I know I wasn’t the only student who expressed this sentiment afterwards. I feel like I learned more about his family than the topic. I do appreciate that Mr. Sloan went into how he started out as a business journalist. That is important especially if you are speaking at the William J. O’Neil Business Journalism series. I do feel the lecture could have been more focused on the topic than it was.
However somewhere I found the pony.
Monday, February 25, 2008
McCain McPinions
Blogger Dana Blankhorn is more concerned with what is not being said about the John McCain piece. He feels there is a bigger issue at hand than McCain's lobbyist lady friend or NY Times handling of the situation
http://www.danablankenhorn.com/2008/02/the-buried-lede.html
Townhall.com raises a few good questions about the McCain McScandal
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/a182a93f-f776-4375-8f4d-af7229159c15
The All Spin Zone has a little fun with numbers and McCain's love life.
http://allspinzone.com/wp/page/2/
The Captain's Quaters hounds on just how much of a non story the John McScandal is.
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/017051.php
I found this political cartoon to be very funny.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2916920
http://www.danablankenhorn.com/2008/02/the-buried-lede.html
Townhall.com raises a few good questions about the McCain McScandal
http://www.townhall.com/blog/g/a182a93f-f776-4375-8f4d-af7229159c15
The All Spin Zone has a little fun with numbers and McCain's love life.
http://allspinzone.com/wp/page/2/
The Captain's Quaters hounds on just how much of a non story the John McScandal is.
http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/017051.php
I found this political cartoon to be very funny.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2916920
McCain's Got 99 Problems
The New York Times dropped a story last week about John McCain and an alleged indiscretion with a blonde Washington lobbyist. The only way you could not have known about this was if you were living under a rock. Some where concerned this tidbit of information would rock McCain's world. I read on a Mike Huckabee forum supporters claiming God must have told the Huckster that this was going to happen and that is why he is staying in the race.
Ummmmm Ok.
The Times has been sitting on this story since last year. I don't think this story will hurt McCain's chance. His campaign is known for running on his achievements and less on the morality platform unlike most of his opponents and 98 percent of Republicans.
Off Topic:
How in the world did Republicans begin to lay claim to morality?
On Topic:
Some wonder why the Times would endorse the man and then drop kick him with this information. I for one don't know. Maybe it is all a diabolical plot in order to defame McCain and make Mike Huckabee the Republican candidate thus insuring the Presidency to Clinton or Obama (hopefully Obama crossing fingers, toes, and eyes). What the Times has done to McCain is pretty representative of what Americans do to anyone who is the public sphere. We build them up only to take them down later. If you want an example, I have two words for you BRITNEY SPEARS. The only place this story really hits is the fact McCain is so anti-lobbyist yet he was getting friendly or frisky, whichever way you chose to see it, with one.
In my opinion, the Straight Talk Express will chug on straight to the convention in September and on to the Presidential nomination.
Ummmmm Ok.
The Times has been sitting on this story since last year. I don't think this story will hurt McCain's chance. His campaign is known for running on his achievements and less on the morality platform unlike most of his opponents and 98 percent of Republicans.
Off Topic:
How in the world did Republicans begin to lay claim to morality?
On Topic:
Some wonder why the Times would endorse the man and then drop kick him with this information. I for one don't know. Maybe it is all a diabolical plot in order to defame McCain and make Mike Huckabee the Republican candidate thus insuring the Presidency to Clinton or Obama (hopefully Obama crossing fingers, toes, and eyes). What the Times has done to McCain is pretty representative of what Americans do to anyone who is the public sphere. We build them up only to take them down later. If you want an example, I have two words for you BRITNEY SPEARS. The only place this story really hits is the fact McCain is so anti-lobbyist yet he was getting friendly or frisky, whichever way you chose to see it, with one.
In my opinion, the Straight Talk Express will chug on straight to the convention in September and on to the Presidential nomination.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Blog!
I am a frequent reader of all kinds of blogs from political, entertainment, health and beauty, fashion etc. The blog revolution is amazing. It has transformed our cultural and political landscape tremendously. Some people wrote blogging off as blip on the face of the internet. Or better yet a fad. Kind of like those digital pets that I along with millions of children had in the mid to late 90’s or Mc Hammer pants. I believe my cousin had multiple pairs in the most atrocious colors and patterns. I use these examples to say people thought blogging wouldn’t last, but unlike the fads I mentioned, it did.
I just finished reading blog! by Burstein and Kline and the chapter I read focused on the impact of blogging on politics, specifically the 2004 presidential race. It made note of some specific facts. One of them being how it was bloggers who uncovered the documents regarding President Bush’s time in the Texas Air National Guard were indeed fakes. Also another interesting tidbit was Howard Dean's use of the Internet to get his campaign off of the ground and raise money. If you don’t remember Howard Dean here is a little reminder.
However, there was one quote that really stuck with me was one from a blogger.
I would like to think that as human beings we could conduct ourselves in a proper manner, but unfortunately we cannot. At 20 years old I can respectfully agree to disagree with someone on their views. Sadly, there are people old enough to be my parents who can do that. Often I will come across very mean, hateful, racists, sexist, homophobic comments on blogs. Usually the nastiness is found in the comments section. This is especially common on political and entertainment blogs. The anonymity of the web makes it easy for people to make disgusting and hateful comments.
People either:
A) Believe and want to say these things in really life but are not bold enough to ever verbalize those thoughts in life
B) Shock value
C) Both
I would go with both. For me, overly hatful comments ruin my blog reading experience. There are definitely sites I know to avoid the comments section because World War III, VI, and V are happening. I will walk away feeling disgusted. There are other sites where I happily read the comments because posters can agree to disagree respectfully.
Political blogs generally preach to the choir therefore they usually are polarizing, vilifying their political rival. I see it as this way blogs are a reflection of the culture at large. Why do you think Britney Spears has 20-30 paparazzi chasing her daily because there is a societal hunger for celebrities. So, blogs are an expression of political culture and right now we live in a very politically charged and polarized nation. Do you or I have to like the comments? No. Sadly, it is just the nature of the beast.
I just finished reading blog! by Burstein and Kline and the chapter I read focused on the impact of blogging on politics, specifically the 2004 presidential race. It made note of some specific facts. One of them being how it was bloggers who uncovered the documents regarding President Bush’s time in the Texas Air National Guard were indeed fakes. Also another interesting tidbit was Howard Dean's use of the Internet to get his campaign off of the ground and raise money. If you don’t remember Howard Dean here is a little reminder.
However, there was one quote that really stuck with me was one from a blogger.
“Blogs are fun observed Ezra Klein on his own blog I like them but they are
flawed and problematic medium. They encourage polarization and extremism rather
than debated and understand. They turn on snark and mockery more often than
facts and agile argument. I’ve not yet and not for lack of trying found
the blog where smart engaged partisans are respectfully speaking to each other
where the point is to inform and enrich rather than enrage and destroy.”
I would like to think that as human beings we could conduct ourselves in a proper manner, but unfortunately we cannot. At 20 years old I can respectfully agree to disagree with someone on their views. Sadly, there are people old enough to be my parents who can do that. Often I will come across very mean, hateful, racists, sexist, homophobic comments on blogs. Usually the nastiness is found in the comments section. This is especially common on political and entertainment blogs. The anonymity of the web makes it easy for people to make disgusting and hateful comments.
People either:
A) Believe and want to say these things in really life but are not bold enough to ever verbalize those thoughts in life
B) Shock value
C) Both
I would go with both. For me, overly hatful comments ruin my blog reading experience. There are definitely sites I know to avoid the comments section because World War III, VI, and V are happening. I will walk away feeling disgusted. There are other sites where I happily read the comments because posters can agree to disagree respectfully.
Political blogs generally preach to the choir therefore they usually are polarizing, vilifying their political rival. I see it as this way blogs are a reflection of the culture at large. Why do you think Britney Spears has 20-30 paparazzi chasing her daily because there is a societal hunger for celebrities. So, blogs are an expression of political culture and right now we live in a very politically charged and polarized nation. Do you or I have to like the comments? No. Sadly, it is just the nature of the beast.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
My Favorite Blog
Race is a hot topic in the Democratic race for the presidency. Hillary Clinton caught flak for recent comments in regard to Dr. Martin Luther King, and Senator Barack Obama has been called "not black enough" by some within and outside of the black community.
Some people like to think race is no longer an issue but it is. The current presidential race is evidence that race matters in America. Some see Barack Obama as a black man running for president versus a presidential candidate who just happens to be black. One of my favorite blogs discusses and presents race in an eloquent and intelligent manner.
Racialicious discusses racial issues and portrayals of minorities across all mediums. The writers cover the good bad and everything in between. Racialicious is very intelligent in its discussion on race. It is well written and thought provoking. It makes me think and reevaluate myself. It makes me examine to see if I harbor misconceptions or prejudices. This site raises questions and issues that I have discussed with my friends and raises some that I never thought of.
http://www.racialicious.com/
The writers place their personal experiences, issues, and thoughts on the table for the whole world to see. Their personalized accounts draw me in especially when I have gone through, thought, or said something similar. The writers conveying of their personal experience adds another special touch to the site.
The site is not simple relegated to typed entries; it also contains podcasts. The podcast feature a round table discussion with the creators, contributors and guests. Racialicous also links to articles or blog entries readers may find interesting.
One particular blog entry I loved was how racial ambiguity makes people feel uncomfortable.
http://www.racialicious.com/2007/07/02/but-you-dont-look/
Another favorite entry of mine was the discussion of the banned racist Merry Melodies cartoons.
http://www.racialicious.com/2006/12/01/banned-racist-merrie-melodies-cartoon-1943s-coal-black-and-de-sebben-dwarfs-2/
Racialicious does a great job at presenting a touchy and emotional topic through witty and smart commentary, which is why I am a faithful reader.
Some people like to think race is no longer an issue but it is. The current presidential race is evidence that race matters in America. Some see Barack Obama as a black man running for president versus a presidential candidate who just happens to be black. One of my favorite blogs discusses and presents race in an eloquent and intelligent manner.
Racialicious discusses racial issues and portrayals of minorities across all mediums. The writers cover the good bad and everything in between. Racialicious is very intelligent in its discussion on race. It is well written and thought provoking. It makes me think and reevaluate myself. It makes me examine to see if I harbor misconceptions or prejudices. This site raises questions and issues that I have discussed with my friends and raises some that I never thought of.
http://www.racialicious.com/
The writers place their personal experiences, issues, and thoughts on the table for the whole world to see. Their personalized accounts draw me in especially when I have gone through, thought, or said something similar. The writers conveying of their personal experience adds another special touch to the site.
The site is not simple relegated to typed entries; it also contains podcasts. The podcast feature a round table discussion with the creators, contributors and guests. Racialicous also links to articles or blog entries readers may find interesting.
One particular blog entry I loved was how racial ambiguity makes people feel uncomfortable.
http://www.racialicious.com/2007/07/02/but-you-dont-look/
Another favorite entry of mine was the discussion of the banned racist Merry Melodies cartoons.
http://www.racialicious.com/2006/12/01/banned-racist-merrie-melodies-cartoon-1943s-coal-black-and-de-sebben-dwarfs-2/
Racialicious does a great job at presenting a touchy and emotional topic through witty and smart commentary, which is why I am a faithful reader.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)