Zell Unloads on Newspaper Employees, Might Unload Newsday

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  danogram03/26/08 Report as spam
  1

  Zell Unloads

  I guess that I've never fully appreciated the mindset of (many) journalists. I get the impression that journalism's ?holy grail? is often interpreted as the freedom to utter whatever one considers to be most important for consumers and to have the funding of that utterance guaranteed. What I heard in his frustration was the argument that the consumer is the final arbiter and the consumer will trump the journalist's opinion on what should be written.
  
  As a consumer, it sounds to me as though you've made up your mind what it is I need (or may want) to know. This is very offensive. I won't spend much money on folks who offend me.
  
  Many times journalists do have information I would like to have, and do have the talent to produce it in a form I prefer. Now there is value; and I will pay money to have it. But just as likely is the journalist who will produce an ?Edsel? from time to time. I have to tell you, this has too often resulted from overzealous pursuit of causes, rather than objective reporting of news reflecting what the readers want.
  
  The journalist's statement about readers wanting ?puppy dogs? and ?we also need to inform the community...? is indeed arrogant. While it is admirable that she has a drive to enlighten the community, she must understand that the engine that fuels her ability to do so is called free enterprise. If her journalistic efforts do not have value to the community, it matters not what she thinks.

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  hotweir03/26/08 Report as spam
  2

  Arrogant Journalists

  You are most certainly right that, traditionally, some journalists had an arrogant attitude, quite self-righteous, as if they knew what mattered better than did their readers. No doubt, some still do.
  
  But most journalists I've known have not been like that. Most have been modest about their role, believing that they are serving the public by their work.
  
  The real question is who will keep us informed if all the journalists are gone?
  
  Government bureaucrats?
  
  Gossip mongerers?
  
  PR guys?
  
  Think about it. A world without people seriously committed to doing their best to document what is actually going on is a world that will be governed by ignorance.

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  danogram03/27/08 Report as spam
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  Not To Beat A Dead Horse

  The models for replacement of the journalist of news reporting are mushrooming all around us. Sources of information once exclusively dominated by a relative few are being exploited by ever growing numbers as access is opened with new technologies. This is not all bad. Not only is news reported more quickly, it is continuously reviewed by many very bright people of wide ranging disciplines. Misinformation is often discovered quickly, often while the news is quite fresh.
  
  Within the world of conventional media journalism, advocacy journalists seem most disturbed by the irreversible changes brought on by this technology which, if true, may be instructive.
  
  In the broadest sense of the term ?advocacy journalist? there are many who seem to be transitioning well; their names have quickly become as valued in the new media. The simple truth is they continue to illuminate issues with reader valued insight, and always, always with integrity.
  
  Among the most startling of recent ruinous episodes was indeed Dan Rather. After so many decades of media excellence, his fall from grace was breathtakingly swift. There were far too few knowledgeable people reviewing the journalism in that case, and the damage was enormous.
  
  False reporting and hoaxes will abound in this new media, unavoidable really. But you are already seeing the power of real time peer review; those who continue to focus on customer value while maintaining credibility will succeed.

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  gerardmclean03/28/08 Report as spam
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  Puppy Journalism

  In response to journalism arrogance, Rufus has announced that he wants to be
  the first puppy in Iraq for Sam Zell. The complete news release is posted on his
  blog, www.dogwalkblog.com.
  
  "Puppies matter! Puppy activities can be serious news for most Americans. Just because we don't have the gift oration - which used far too loosely anyway -
  does not mean that our existence and our interaction with the human species is
  not newsworthy."
  
  "Our world may be changing rapidly," barks Rufus, "But the loyalty and
  friendship of a dog is everlasting. That is something that is newsworthy."
  
  The decision to seek a trip to Iraq is intended to be a show to arrogant
  journalists that news is what people are interested in, not what journalist want
  us to believe is interesting. News is what people care about and if people care
  about puppy dogs, then puppy dogs are NEWS.
  
  Sam Zell, while a foul-mouthed, cantankerous old man, is RIGHT! Most journalist
  have lost touch with their purpose.
  
  I've been to humane society fundraisers, where there were a couple thousand
  people, just as many puppy dogs and no journalists. Couldn't even get a story in
  the newspaper. Yet most "newsworthy" activities that journalist do cover attract
  very few citizens. The same citizens that get dressed, drive to a humane society
  fundraiser, give money for puppy dogs ALSO read your newspaper, vote, raise
  kids and maintain households. But, they also never read stories about things that
  matter most dearly to them. And then they quit reading the newspaper....
  
  Journalists: Report the local news. Report the puppy dog stories because they are
  the ones that are closest to home for your readers. Puppy dog stories keep
  readers because the stories are about how the newspaper cares about them.

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  GirishLaikhra11/04/09 Report as spam
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  RE: Zell Unloads on Newspaper Employees, Might Unload Newsday

  Excellent site, keep up the good work. I read a lot of blogs on a daily basis and for the most part, people lack substance but, I just wanted to make a quick comment to say I?m glad I found your blog. Thanks,
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