Fascinating story in the New York Times of what one observer called "haiku journalism," coverage of a sensational trial by Twitter. Is it the wave of the future? It's one of them, at any rate.

The Tribune: How to kill a newspaper giant

And now, for the way to destroy a newspaper, read the story of Sam Zell's Chicago Tribune.

As the New York Times tells it, it's a story of lust, hubris, stupidity and arrogance. Sounds believable to me. Actually, it's a very sad story of how badly the media industry is being managed.

Good news for magazines continues

The good news for magazines continues, with a 10.66 percent increase year-to-year reported in ad pages for October issues of 150 magazines tracked in one analysis. Ninety of them had increases.

Leading the way was Elle (which doubled its number of ad pages), followed by Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Conde Nast Traveler and InStyle. Word on the street (meaning I can't tell you who told me) is that some major advertisers are returning to print because online isn't delivering customers. Of course, the lingering recession makes it hard to determine why customers aren't returning. But at least some marketers are dismayed by lack of results online.

If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it must be . . .

College newspapers aggressively covers administration. Administration faces election fights. Newspaper told it can't print until obtaining "proper approval" for its printing contract. But it's not censorship, just "a purchasing problem."

Basically that's where things stand for the college newspaper at Southwestern College near San Diego. I guess I'm cynical, but it'll be interesting to see how quickly after the Nov. 2 election the college -- which last year suspended four faculty members for protesting budget cuts -- clears up the "purchasing problem."

Where do young people get their news?

From "The Colbert Report," "The Daily Show," and The New York Times. That's only part of a large Pew Research report on the news. You can find a digest here. The full report's here.

Very interesting report with lots of ramifications for media folks.

Readers' Digest plans 24 new products

Readers' Digest, having cut back on its print products, has plans to expand its online offerings greatly, along with some new print publications.

It'll be interesting to see how successful this will be. The company says it will "return to its roots" in producing material for a "family-centered" audience. I, as a long-time reader who scrapped the magazine in recent years due to the decline of its content, remain skeptical. This, like National Geographic or The New Yorker, was a magazine that was perfect to read at my pace -- and in print. But the editors fell into the "gotta speed up our readers" mantra that's spoiled so many magazines, filling them with short, breezy, uninteresting items designed for those who "don't have time to read." Hey, folks! Your product is a magazine. People like to spend time with magazines.

More Americans getting news than in recent years

With more ways to get news, Pew reports, more Americans are watching/reading/visiting news sites than any time in the past decade. Heartening news, indeed, for those of us who care.

British media go after Murdoch empire

British media has uncovered a huge scandal in Rupert Murdoch's British empire. His media properties, according to press reports, used private detectives and illegal means to assemble dossiers on British politicians and others.

The Guardian links Murdoch influence to all parties who have controlled Great Britain's political reins for the past 30 years. It said, "Murdoch is a problem for British society and the News of the World phone-hacking story – given further impetus over the last 10 days by the New York Times and the Guardian – is a symptom of the chronic malignity of his power" in a story basically claiming that Murdoch's empire threatens British democracy.

Let's see if American media will challenge Murdoch's power (Fox News, Fox News Channel, Wall Street Journal among others). Seems like a scandal waiting to happen over here as well (somehow, I can't imagine that Murdoch operates differently here than overseas.

Publishers using new tools to match consumers/media content

Meanwhile, in a really intriguing post with deep implications for both producers and consumers of media, eMedia Vitals says that publishers are quickly adopting strategies and tools to personalize their content.

New tools that are being used include social media, current and past viewing to build a consumer's profile and use that to offer suggestions. It's similar to the music site Pandora, which suggests music based on your preferences.

Imagine all the readers . . .

Paywalls aren't a panacea for newspapers, according to PaidContent.com. An analysis indicated that even if every single subscriber switched to online paid content, newspapers would still lose their shirt. Each online viewer would be worth only a quarter of the value of a paid print subscriber.

Although basically a UK analysis, it holds deep implications for newspapers. As the story indicates positing big losses with readers shifting online behind a pay wall: "If that sounds bad, imagine the situation for publishers whose websites are not starting charging." Well worth thinking about.

Fall fashion magazine rebound on this scale

Measured by weight (its traditional measure), fall fashion magazines are way up. This year's key magazines weighed a total of 16.58 pounds, according to TheWrap's scale. Last year the magazines weighed only 15.34 pounds last year, far from 2008's 21 pounds. Vogue was the winner with its 726 pages weighing a hefty 2.89 pounds.

Time blasts apart its campaign secrecy wall

The old days when media kept its secrets, especially gameplans, close to its vest are totally gone. Time announced its plans for the upcoming campaign season, telling not only its readers/viewers but its competitors exactly what it plans to cover, how and when.

Just one of the plans announced: Joe Klein will launch a four-week, 12-state swing across America, highlighting key races. Wisconsin will be one of the states profiled.