Zell calls newspaper business model "a failure"

Sam Zell, controversial owner of the Tribune Co., speaks extensively on the newspaper industry to Portfolio magazine, calling the newspaper business model "a failure" and that Pulitzer Prizes are worthless ("I haven't figured out a way to cash in a Pulitzer Prize"). He also called his purchase of the Tribune Co. "the deal from hell." There's a lot more.

Smaller papers embrace investigations

As bigger newspapers continue to cut back, smaller papers are embracing investigative reporting, as shown in this interview.  Why? One reason is that government is ripe for reporting. With few reporters really looking at government, it becomes easy pickings for enterprising reporters. 

Another reason? I suspect its because more good reporters are finding themselves at smaller newspapers these days.  At least one recent Marquette journalism graduate, an excellent investigative reporter, finds himself doing solid research on a smaller Florida town (much to the dismay of his papers' staid management, which really doesn't want to see their boat being rocked.

Does the media have an obligation to report right away?

Newsweek doesn't think so, saying the greater depth of its post-election stories came because it promised not to report until after the election. It's a case of weighing priorities. I could create a pretty lively ethics discussion using this as an example, especially if you could throw in some "what-ifs." What if the reporters found one of the candidates had a drug habit? Or a violent temper so bad he lost control? Or was growing senile? Or couldn't control his emotions at all? All of these had been alleged against one or more of the most recent candidates. Would that change your thinking? These issues are raised during this nice story from Adam Conner-Simmons of Gelf magazine.

A bad example

As an example not to follow, it would be hard to top this. A University of Minnesota television intern first slacked off enough at her job that she was fired, then attacked the person firing her, shouting obscenities and kicking out a window. This is a good way not to get a good recommendation.

Patting college media on its back -- deservedly

Brian Murley, whose Innovation in College Media blog is one of the best around, offers a broad overview of college media's online operations, saying that, in many ways, college media has led the professional media. I concur (see marquettetribune.org for proof, updated daily).

Comic strips as revenue-generators?

Going back to the days of the Yellow Kid, newspapers have used comic strips to attract readers. This was very important at the turn of the last century when America had a large number of immigrants whose English wasn't all that hot, and a very competitive environment with many newspapers competing for the audience. Both situations exist today, obviously, just substitute other media for the competing newspapers and recognize that America today is in the midst of a wave of immigration. Newspapers, of course, have long since forgotten the promotional quality of comic strips. It's hard to find today's Sunday "funnies" in the Journal Sentinel since the section is used to wrap advertising inserts and is virtually covered by a spadea (that wrap-around advertising section). It's a long way from the days when the comics were on the outside of the newspaper. Those were the days when attracting readers was seen as the way to build a revenue stream.

Fast-forward to today. King Features is launching an ad-driven comics portal (story about it is here), in cooperation with a number of newspapers, including the JS. It offers 60 comics in full color plus a 30-day archive.

Internet beginning to impact television

Hollywood Reporter reports on a conference on whether new media is helping or hurting the television business. The consensus is mixed, but both sides say it is beginning to have an impact.

How'd that work out for you, buddy?

David Carr in the New York Times likens newspaper industry leaders to the failed management of soon-to-be-no-more Circuit City in its plan to save itself by jettisoning its most talented people -- just like newspapers are cutting their stars. As he rhetorically asks of Circuit City, "How'd that work out for you, buddy?" I've been accused of seeking to preserve the old way, and it's true, in a way. I happen to think newspapers have great reputations and ability, I just hate to see them go. Please read Carr's report.

Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch said roughly the same thing in a Melbourne newspaper. Newspapers won't be obsolete, some editors' ideas will, he said.  A longer story is here.  I can't believe I'm seeing Rupert Murdoch as more intelligent than most newspaper leaders, but I am.  Here's a third.

Leonard Downie's view of the future

Leonard Downie Jr., longtime executive editor of the Washington Post, talks about his view of the future. It's both heartening and grim since he identifies both the strengths and weaknesses of new media. Here's a transcript, which has a video attached.

The end of objectivity?

In an essay titled "The End of Objectivity in New Journalism Era: A Good Thing?", Editor & Publisher's Joe Strupp takes on the deep subject of objectivity -- presenting both those who think it doesn't exist and traditionalists who believe it's worth striving for -- with a nicely-balanced look at how journalism has changed (has it?) in our new media environment. Undeniably, the proliferation of opinion vehicles has changed the public's perception of objectivity. But is that necessarily a bad thing? With proper labeling, I don't mind the change. But I still think we should strive for objectivity in anything labeled (or branded) as news. Anyway, for a truly objective account of what the essay says, read it.

U.S. News offering digital edition as well as monthly print edition

The Washington Post is reporting that U.S. News & World Report is switching to a monthly print edition, but will go digital but "special reports, daily news updates, blogs, newsletters, rankings, guides and videos" will be updated and posted on its web site, it says. 

More college media poor judgment

An Arizona student newspaper became the second college paper to run a cartoon about Barack Obama and the N-word. Bad judgment continues.