I've never heard a more concise and withering takedown of print media over the last 25 years than that of Baltimore Sun alum and 'The Wire' creator, David Simon (From 'Bill Moyers Journal' 2009):
"Yes, we were doing our job. Making the world safe for democracy. And all of a sudden, terra firma shifted, new technology. Who knew that the Internet was going to overwhelm us? I would buy that if I wasn't in journalism for the years that immediately preceded the Internet because I took the third buyout from the "Baltimore Sun." I was about reporter number 80 or 90 who left, in 1995. Long before the Internet had had its impact. I left at a time-- those buyouts happened when the "Baltimore Sun" was earning 37 percent profits.
You know, we now know this because it's in bankruptcy and the books are open. 37 percent profits. All that R&D money that was supposed to go in to make newspapers more essential, more viable, more able to explain the complexities of the world. It went to shareholders in the Tribune Company. Or the L.A. Times Mirror Company before that. And ultimately, when the Internet did hit, they had an inferior product-- that was not essential enough that they could charge online for it.
I mean, the guys who are running newspapers, over the last 20 or 30 years, have to be singular in the manner in which they destroyed their own industry. It-- it's even more profound than Detroit making Chevy Vegas and Pacers and Gremlins and believing that no self-respecting American would buy a Japanese car in 1973. That-- it's analogous up to a point, except it's not analogous in that a Nissan is a pretty good car, and a Toyota is a pretty good car. The Internet, while it's great for commentary and froth doesn't do very much first generation reporting at all. And it can't sustain that. The economic model can't sustain that kind of reporting. And to lose to that, because you didn't-- they had contempt for their own product, these people."
I was being silly. But when corporations buy up local news for their own agenda, or lack there of, soon there will be internet outlets for local news like our lovely Dick Joke sanctuary.
Despite being a Murdoch enterprise, most of the reporting at the Journal is still solid; the people who work there (reporters, editors, the folks who put it all together) tend to be rigorous and reality-based, and they care about the quality of the paper.
The editorial page, of course, is a cesspit of reactionary lunacy.
I'm sure it was said down thread, but nicely played on the headline and sub-head, Dok. Excellent use of two of my favorite headlines of all time.
I've never heard a more concise and withering takedown of print media over the last 25 years than that of Baltimore Sun alum and 'The Wire' creator, David Simon (From 'Bill Moyers Journal' 2009):
"Yes, we were doing our job. Making the world safe for democracy. And all of a sudden, terra firma shifted, new technology. Who knew that the Internet was going to overwhelm us? I would buy that if I wasn't in journalism for the years that immediately preceded the Internet because I took the third buyout from the "Baltimore Sun." I was about reporter number 80 or 90 who left, in 1995. Long before the Internet had had its impact. I left at a time-- those buyouts happened when the "Baltimore Sun" was earning 37 percent profits.
You know, we now know this because it's in bankruptcy and the books are open. 37 percent profits. All that R&D money that was supposed to go in to make newspapers more essential, more viable, more able to explain the complexities of the world. It went to shareholders in the Tribune Company. Or the L.A. Times Mirror Company before that. And ultimately, when the Internet did hit, they had an inferior product-- that was not essential enough that they could charge online for it.
I mean, the guys who are running newspapers, over the last 20 or 30 years, have to be singular in the manner in which they destroyed their own industry. It-- it's even more profound than Detroit making Chevy Vegas and Pacers and Gremlins and believing that no self-respecting American would buy a Japanese car in 1973. That-- it's analogous up to a point, except it's not analogous in that a Nissan is a pretty good car, and a Toyota is a pretty good car. The Internet, while it's great for commentary and froth doesn't do very much first generation reporting at all. And it can't sustain that. The economic model can't sustain that kind of reporting. And to lose to that, because you didn't-- they had contempt for their own product, these people."
Making bricks without straw
Kinda like Hostess was mismanaged into oblivion (briefly). Imagine losing money selling sugar bombs to a bunch of fat-assed 'Muricans!
I was being silly. But when corporations buy up local news for their own agenda, or lack there of, soon there will be internet outlets for local news like our lovely Dick Joke sanctuary.
WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO LORI, YOU MONSTER!
i realize that, and there was also a massive crowdfunding campaign behind it. But it's a shadow of its former self.
WNYC has resuscitated it. Experiment in progress, but it looks promising.
That is where the indoctrination starts.
that's how 75% of local journalism is done
oh hi! local news definitely can be modestly profitable, as Gothamist was. That didn't stop its corporate overlords from crushing it like a bug.
Too stupid to revolt is a reich-wing wet dream.
Maybe it's a poorly-programmed bot.
True enough.
Despite being a Murdoch enterprise, most of the reporting at the Journal is still solid; the people who work there (reporters, editors, the folks who put it all together) tend to be rigorous and reality-based, and they care about the quality of the paper.
The editorial page, of course, is a cesspit of reactionary lunacy.
Today's trolls are more nonsensical than usual.
Well, that is the plan. Buy up the respected papers, and turn them into propaganda rags.