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22 Apr 2009 14:20

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Biz: The Chicago Tribune axes a ton of people in the newsroom

  • 53 journalists got canned today, a ton, but less than expected source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Apr 2009 20:44

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Tech: The New York Times puts left foot in, out of URL-shortening game

  • An ultra-hip trend It started with TinyURL. Then Twitter came along, making the need for URL shortening services even greater. Between is.gd and Bit.ly and dozens of other URL shorteners, it’s now the cool thing to do. So it only makes sense that the New York Times would get in on that action with NYTurl.com, which some of their developers created. source
  • An ultra-hip trend It started with TinyURL. Then Twitter came along, making the need for URL shortening services even greater. Between is.gd and Bit.ly and dozens of other URL shorteners, it’s now the cool thing to do. So it only makes sense that the New York Times would get in on that action with NYTurl.com, which some of their developers created.
  • Now you see it, now you don’t Unfortunately, the site was getting abused by people using the service for non-NYT-related content, and if you go to the page now, it says, “Taken down for now due to abuse.” When we saw that, we elicited a very loud laugh, because it’s not often the New York Times has egg on their face in a clearly embarrassing way like this. LOL. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Apr 2009 10:29

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Biz: That guy who bought Tribune, Sam Zell, regrets his decision

  • By definition, if you bought something and it’s now worth a great deal less, you made a mistake and I’m more than willing to say I made a mistake. I was too optimistic in terms of the newspaper’s ability to preserve its position.
  • Sam Zell • Who bought Tribune in 2007, then, burdened by debt, was forced to massively reorganize the company, laying off thousands and bankrupting the company in the process. Good show, chap. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Mar 2009 22:14

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Biz, World: The Guardian says screw print – they’re going Twitter-only.

  • Who needs presses when you’re on the forefront of technology? The Guardian, one of the best papers in the U.K. – hell, the world – is going to try a great experiment, starting today. They’re going Twitter-only. Among the new technologies they’re launching include “Gutter,” a collaboration with Twitter that will filter out all notable liberal opinion. We wish them the best. Also, in other news, our rent would be due today if we lived in London. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

24 Mar 2009 21:20

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Politics, U.S.: Maryland senator wants to save the newspaper, legislatively

  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.” source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public. source
  • About the bill Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland introduced a bill today that would allow newspapers to be treated as nonprofit organizations and get tax breaks. They would not be able to make political endorsements (i.e. opinion sections), but they could report objectively on the news, including political campaigns. Cardin says the loss of journalism “is a real tragedy for communities across the nation and for our democracy.”
  • Why it’s needed In case you haven’t read the tone of this blog when we’re not making fart jokes, this is about journalism and its long-term future. Newspapers are getting closed left and right. Recently, the Ann Arbor News announced that it would fold its print edition, which is a big deal because Ann Arbor, Mich. is a one-paper town. This trend is not good for the economy, it’s not good for local news and it’s not good for the public.
  • Reactions You can imagine some people like this a lot, while whiny cranks don’t. A sample: “Seriously, after all that the Media has done to this Country, to think that I would want them to survive is asinine. Stop the presses, shutter the doors, fire the editors and let’s all do this online or by word of mouth.” Here’s an editorial statement: People who say things like this are freaking idiots. Even when you say you don’t love them, you know you really do. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Mar 2009 00:15

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Politics: OK, who’s the smart aleck laid-off Seattle journo who put this up?

Ah, to be jobless in Seattle and call out Thomas Jefferson on his iconic quote. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2009 22:32

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Biz, U.S.: The Rocky staffers’ new project, InDenverTimes, sets a lofty goal

  • 50,000 subscriptions by April to start out source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

16 Mar 2009 22:25

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Biz, U.S.: P-I’s online focus: An evolution away from print

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2009 22:13

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Biz, U.S.: On the death, from the Post-Intelligencer’s editor & publisher

  • Tonight we’ll be putting the paper to bed for the last time. But the bloodline will live on.
  • Editor and Publisher Roger Oglesby • During the announcement, which was made today. As you might imagine, it wasn’t exactly a fun day for them today. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Mar 2009 22:09

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Biz, U.S.: Seattle learns to live life with one less newspaper

  • The Post-Intelligencer will print its last issue tomorrow after 146 years of publication. It will survive as an online-only pub. source
  • Just a handful of employees will be kept on for the online venture. Sadly. :( Stay strong, former P-I staff! We got your back! source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 
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