Comments on: New News: Deconstructing the newspaper http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/ by Jeff Jarvis Sat, 11 Oct 2008 21:13:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: SEO Consultant http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-379815 SEO Consultant Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:33:02 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-379815 Sales and publications of traditional newspapers have been in decline for the past few years. Free local newspapers still have their place and local businesses still see the value of marketing and ad spend. Of course the decline has been due to online media and mobile communications. Traditional broadsheets are now big players online and the UK nationals now have a significant presence online. However, there will always be a place for the traditional newspaper. Who wants to lie in bed on a Sunday morning with their laptop reading the news? Sales and publications of traditional newspapers have been in decline for the past few years. Free local newspapers still have their place and local businesses still see the value of marketing and ad spend.

Of course the decline has been due to online media and mobile communications. Traditional broadsheets are now big players online and the UK nationals now have a significant presence online.

However, there will always be a place for the traditional newspaper. Who wants to lie in bed on a Sunday morning with their laptop reading the news?

]]> By: edward http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-378150 edward Sun, 29 Jun 2008 17:34:05 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-378150 A few disagreements: Stock tables are an easy hit, but look at the knock-along consequences. A recent story in E&P said that 67 percent of senior executives now rank the Internet as their No. 1 source for business news versus newspapers, up 37 percent over the last four years. These are well-heeled readers and often family breadwinners who determine family spending patterns, so you really don't want to piss them off. But you did that by eliminating stock tables and cut back on business news. Look also at the success of the Wall Street Journal on this front, and that newspaper continues to print stock reports. So, yes, you can cut stock tables, but there will be blood if you do it, as newspapers are finding out. Advertisers follow money, so are going to the Internet where family breadwinners now get their news. Only a few hundred people are affected, but it is that key demographic you want to keep if you want to survive. 2. Sure, you can get comics and features on the Internet, but how many people click on comic sites daily? Not that many, I bet, because it is so clumsy to use these sites and comparatively so easy to read a newspaper page. It is a matter of efficiency, something that is a plus for newspapers, and you have to have some regular comfortable and familiar furniture in your paper. 3. You sure should have the 15,001st reporter at the convention if he/she is providing you local news on your delegation others aren't providing. If they are there covering Obama/McCain or doing color, I would agree with you. But I can see an argument for original content even in a flooded event. I would make this same argument for Congress and Washington news, with the caveat it has to be local and original. 4. Agree with you on eliminating the editorial board and national columnists. The Internet provides a vast sea of opinion, and I frankly don't care what my local editor thinks about gun control in Washington, D.C. I might like an opinion on the need for more zebra crossings at the downtown park, or the need for more efficient garbage collection. 5. Agree warmly on local-local, and more local. I can't make the council sessions, so I count on newspapers to tell me everything that happened. I want to know about all local crimes and fires. I want to know about local taxes and changes in traffic patterns affecting my commute. A few disagreements:
Stock tables are an easy hit, but look at the knock-along consequences. A recent story in E&P said that 67 percent of senior executives now rank the Internet as their No. 1 source for business news versus newspapers, up 37 percent over the last four years. These are well-heeled readers and often family breadwinners who determine family spending patterns, so you really don’t want to piss them off. But you did that by eliminating stock tables and cut back on business news. Look also at the success of the Wall Street Journal on this front, and that newspaper continues to print stock reports.
So, yes, you can cut stock tables, but there will be blood if you do it, as newspapers are finding out. Advertisers follow money, so are going to the Internet where family breadwinners now get their news. Only a few hundred people are affected, but it is that key demographic you want to keep if you want to survive.
2. Sure, you can get comics and features on the Internet, but how many people click on comic sites daily? Not that many, I bet, because it is so clumsy to use these sites and comparatively so easy to read a newspaper page. It is a matter of efficiency, something that is a plus for newspapers, and you have to have some regular comfortable and familiar furniture in your paper.
3. You sure should have the 15,001st reporter at the convention if he/she is providing you local news on your delegation others aren’t providing. If they are there covering Obama/McCain or doing color, I would agree with you. But I can see an argument for original content even in a flooded event. I would make this same argument for Congress and Washington news, with the caveat it has to be local and original.
4. Agree with you on eliminating the editorial board and national columnists. The Internet provides a vast sea of opinion, and I frankly don’t care what my local editor thinks about gun control in Washington, D.C. I might like an opinion on the need for more zebra crossings at the downtown park, or the need for more efficient garbage collection.
5. Agree warmly on local-local, and more local. I can’t make the council sessions, so I count on newspapers to tell me everything that happened. I want to know about all local crimes and fires. I want to know about local taxes and changes in traffic patterns affecting my commute.

]]> By: Mayelle http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-371356 Mayelle Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:26:03 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-371356 Hello Mr. Jarvis You might not be wrong in what you are saying. It is your opinion. But I believe that other aspects such as jobs and tradition are important. Buying newspapers is a tradition to many people. For some when you buy your bread in the morning, you also buy your newspaper! While waiting for someone or something you read your newspaper. It is anchored in many people's lifes. Newspapers also offer jobs to more people than online publishers do. Society should care about people's welfare first. And one good way is to create jobs for more people! Thanks for allowing us to put our comments, that's a brilliant idea!! Mayelle Hello Mr. Jarvis

You might not be wrong in what you are saying. It is your opinion. But I believe that other aspects such as jobs and tradition are important.

Buying newspapers is a tradition to many people. For some when you buy your bread in the morning, you also buy your newspaper! While waiting for someone or something you read your newspaper. It is anchored in many people’s lifes.

Newspapers also offer jobs to more people than online publishers do.

Society should care about people’s welfare first. And one good way is to create jobs for more people!

Thanks for allowing us to put our comments, that’s a brilliant idea!!

Mayelle

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » What would you kill? Jocks? http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-369274 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » What would you kill? Jocks? Sun, 17 Feb 2008 21:45:01 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-369274 [...] Financial tables are obvious (which is why it’s all the more appalling that all papers haven’t killed them). [...] [...] Financial tables are obvious (which is why it’s all the more appalling that all papers haven’t killed them). [...]

]]> By: Music Lyrics and Downloads http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-361677 Music Lyrics and Downloads Sat, 13 Oct 2007 20:18:48 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-361677 <strong>Music Lyrics and Downloads...</strong> I couldn't understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting... Music Lyrics and Downloads…

I couldn’t understand some parts of this article, but it sounds interesting…

]]> By: The Social Web http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-359229 The Social Web Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:28:13 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-359229 [...] How can networked publics fight back? Today, is it practical to live ethical lives in the context of the Social Web and mobile social space? If so, tactics could be learned and shared with others. Required Reading: Jarvis, Jeff. “New News: Deconstructing the newspaper.” BuzzMachine  . 18 Jan 2006. 26 Aug 2007 <http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/>. [...] [...] How can networked publics fight back? Today, is it practical to live ethical lives in the context of the Social Web and mobile social space? If so, tactics could be learned and shared with others. Required Reading: Jarvis, Jeff. “New News: Deconstructing the newspaper.” BuzzMachine  . 18 Jan 2006. 26 Aug 2007 <http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/>. [...]

]]> By: » The Social Web (Web 2.0: What went wrong?) - Paolo blog: Ramblings on Trust, Reputation, Recommender Systems, Social Software, Free Software, ICT4D and much more http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-358681 » The Social Web (Web 2.0: What went wrong?) - Paolo blog: Ramblings on Trust, Reputation, Recommender Systems, Social Software, Free Software, ICT4D and much more Fri, 31 Aug 2007 10:44:17 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-358681 [...] News: Deconstructing the newspaper." BuzzMachine  . 18 Jan 2006. 26 Aug 2007 <http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/>.•    Week 14 (11/27, 11/29)The Future of the Social Web Required [...] [...] News: Deconstructing the newspaper." BuzzMachine  . 18 Jan 2006. 26 Aug 2007 <http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/>.•    Week 14 (11/27, 11/29)The Future of the Social Web Required [...]

]]> By: links for 2007-08-30 « tilt! http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-358539 links for 2007-08-30 « tilt! Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:22:44 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-358539 [...] BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » New News: Deconstructing the newspaper (tags: periodismo Nuevos.Medios medios.de.comunicación investigacion.USACH) [...] [...] BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » New News: Deconstructing the newspaper (tags: periodismo Nuevos.Medios medios.de.comunicación investigacion.USACH) [...]

]]> By: newspaper, news again « trying to turn things right side up http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-354246 newspaper, news again « trying to turn things right side up Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:35:57 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-354246 [...] Your eyes get tired after staring at the screen for too long. And I’m just as much for environmentalism as anybody else, but the Internet does not good journalism make. The smell of newsprint and fresh [...] [...] Your eyes get tired after staring at the screen for too long. And I’m just as much for environmentalism as anybody else, but the Internet does not good journalism make. The smell of newsprint and fresh [...]

]]> By: Addie http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-353977 Addie Sat, 30 Jun 2007 18:33:23 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-353977 <strong>Addie...</strong> Adware, software dedicated to displaying advertising, can reallyslow... Addie…

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]]> By: Alice Mike http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-304215 Alice Mike Wed, 24 Jan 2007 05:55:37 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-304215 Search engine optimization (SEO), a division of search engine marketing (SEM), is a technique of bringing about an increase in traffic on your website. We use the concept of SEO to optimize any site, thereby bringing traffic to your site and also increasing its SERP. Search engine optimization (SEO), a division of search engine marketing (SEM), is a technique of bringing about an increase in traffic on your website. We use the concept of SEO to optimize any site, thereby bringing traffic to your site and also increasing its SERP.

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Trimming newspaper fat v. meat http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-180209 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Trimming newspaper fat v. meat Tue, 31 Oct 2006 12:37:31 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-180209 [...] But who says that kind of reporting is what should be depleted? If editors have the good sense and foresight to get rid of what’s not needed, they can put their resources where they matter: into reporting. And they can also find new ways to report. Kurtz: Newspapers — good ones, at least — do two things that, if their staffs shrivel, no TV station, Web site or blogger will be able to match. One is to provide detailed local coverage of schools, hospitals, zoning battles and town councils. The other is holding public officials and business executives accountable with aggressive investigative work. [...] [...] But who says that kind of reporting is what should be depleted? If editors have the good sense and foresight to get rid of what’s not needed, they can put their resources where they matter: into reporting. And they can also find new ways to report. Kurtz: Newspapers — good ones, at least — do two things that, if their staffs shrivel, no TV station, Web site or blogger will be able to match. One is to provide detailed local coverage of schools, hospitals, zoning battles and town councils. The other is holding public officials and business executives accountable with aggressive investigative work. [...]

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Killing the crap to save the news http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-171977 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Killing the crap to save the news Tue, 24 Oct 2006 14:26:44 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-171977 [...] Howard Kurtz — and most of the newspaper industry — is getting it wrong. Kurtz laments cutbacks at newspapers, fearing it will cut investigative reporting. I think what he should lament is the refusal of newspaper editors to wake up and smell the latte: all the wasted froth that squanderes their budgets. The newspaper has to learn what its real value is and that is, indeed, reporting and its editors have to stop defending raw numbers of bodies. They need to boil themselves down to their essence and they haven’t had the courage to do that yet. Stop wasting money on commodity news, ego, and fear and start investing it in reporting again. [...] [...] Howard Kurtz — and most of the newspaper industry — is getting it wrong. Kurtz laments cutbacks at newspapers, fearing it will cut investigative reporting. I think what he should lament is the refusal of newspaper editors to wake up and smell the latte: all the wasted froth that squanderes their budgets. The newspaper has to learn what its real value is and that is, indeed, reporting and its editors have to stop defending raw numbers of bodies. They need to boil themselves down to their essence and they haven’t had the courage to do that yet. Stop wasting money on commodity news, ego, and fear and start investing it in reporting again. [...]

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Get me rewrite http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-32398 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Get me rewrite Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:56:22 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-32398 [...] Yes, and I’ve also looked at what happens when editors and publishers waste editorial budgets on commodity news, fluff, and egos. Do we need to send 15,000 journalists to the political conventions where nothing happens, which we can all watch on C-SPAN? No. Why do we do it? Ego: to have our people there, our bylines. That is a sinful waste of editorial budgets. Ditto golf columnists going to golf tournaments. Ditto movie critics. Ditto stock tables. I made a few humble suggestions for prioritizing a newspaper budget here. I argue that local newspapers should, indeed, concentrate on what makes them valuable, on what they can do specially: local reporting and investigations. But that takes the strategic courage to get rid of a golf columnist and use the wires and damn the egos and cancel that convention boondoggle so you can have a local reporter truly provide value to your community. Where big papers are reducing staff and closing bureaus, small dailies in those areas are expanding to fill the void. [...] [...] Yes, and I’ve also looked at what happens when editors and publishers waste editorial budgets on commodity news, fluff, and egos. Do we need to send 15,000 journalists to the political conventions where nothing happens, which we can all watch on C-SPAN? No. Why do we do it? Ego: to have our people there, our bylines. That is a sinful waste of editorial budgets. Ditto golf columnists going to golf tournaments. Ditto movie critics. Ditto stock tables. I made a few humble suggestions for prioritizing a newspaper budget here. I argue that local newspapers should, indeed, concentrate on what makes them valuable, on what they can do specially: local reporting and investigations. But that takes the strategic courage to get rid of a golf columnist and use the wires and damn the egos and cancel that convention boondoggle so you can have a local reporter truly provide value to your community. Where big papers are reducing staff and closing bureaus, small dailies in those areas are expanding to fill the void. [...]

]]> By: Jim Parker http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-32144 Jim Parker Tue, 14 Mar 2006 03:07:52 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-32144 Newspapers are damned if they do and damned if they don't. Wall Street castigates them for lack of growth and for failing to embrace technological change, but also expects them to maintain 30 percent-plus profit margins. The state of the news media report, just released, estimates that if online revenue grew annually by a third, and newspapers ’ print ad revenue grew by just 3 percent, online revenue wouldn’t surpass print revenue until the year 2018. And that depends on continued 33 per cent online growth rates, which most analysts believe is highly unlikely. The fundamental question remains: Who pays for journalism?? Newspapers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Wall Street castigates them for lack of growth and for failing to embrace technological change, but also expects them to maintain 30 percent-plus profit margins.

The state of the news media report, just released, estimates that if online revenue grew annually by a third, and newspapers ’ print ad revenue grew by just 3 percent, online revenue wouldn’t surpass print revenue until the year 2018. And that depends on continued 33 per cent online growth rates, which most analysts believe is highly unlikely.

The fundamental question remains: Who pays for journalism??

]]> By: BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Too big http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-32088 BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » Too big Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:27:18 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-32088 [...] : The bottom line is that the bottom line is looking worse and worse. Big newspapers have to get smaller. The first step in that is cutbacks. Reality. [...] [...] : The bottom line is that the bottom line is looking worse and worse. Big newspapers have to get smaller. The first step in that is cutbacks. Reality. [...]

]]> By: rishi http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-31692 rishi Wed, 08 Mar 2006 18:47:20 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-31692 Sharetipsinfo will guide you, how to invest in Indian stock market as Indian stock market is growing day by day..With our stock tips you can easily understand BSE , NSE and you can do online stock trading.Our stock market tips are the best tips you can ever get.! Sharetipsinfo will guide you, how to invest in Indian stock market as Indian stock market is growing day by day..With our stock tips you can easily understand BSE , NSE and you can do online stock trading.Our stock market tips are the best tips you can ever get.!

]]> By: Back away from the edge… » Dave Johnston - newdave.com http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-29973 Back away from the edge… » Dave Johnston - newdave.com Tue, 21 Feb 2006 00:44:26 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-29973 [...] Jeff Jarvis has an extensive blog post on how Big Journalism can come back from its near-death experience. [...] [...] Jeff Jarvis has an extensive blog post on how Big Journalism can come back from its near-death experience. [...]

]]> By: Digital-Economy.com Weblog » Paid content online shatters traditional newspaper subscription models http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-29822 Digital-Economy.com Weblog » Paid content online shatters traditional newspaper subscription models Sun, 19 Feb 2006 13:48:50 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-29822 [...] On the other hand, newspapers do provide original content that can feasibly be monetized online. Newspapers claim many renowned columnists, influential opinion makers and specialized lifestyle sections that the public wants to read and for which it is willing to pay. And of course there’s always local coverage, the importance of which is emphasized by Jeff Jarvis. [...] [...] On the other hand, newspapers do provide original content that can feasibly be monetized online. Newspapers claim many renowned columnists, influential opinion makers and specialized lifestyle sections that the public wants to read and for which it is willing to pay. And of course there’s always local coverage, the importance of which is emphasized by Jeff Jarvis. [...]

]]> By: penis enlargement http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-29548 penis enlargement Thu, 16 Feb 2006 17:23:35 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-29548 I agree with you the way you view the issue. I remember Jack London once said everything positive has a negative side; everything negative has positive side. It is also interesting to see different viewpoints & learn useful things in the discussion I agree with you the way you view the issue. I remember Jack London once said everything positive has a negative side; everything negative has positive side. It is also interesting to see different viewpoints & learn useful things in the discussion

]]> By: Help Desk Software Portal » Blog Archive » Monday, 01/30/06 09:21 PM http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-29371 Help Desk Software Portal » Blog Archive » Monday, 01/30/06 09:21 PM Mon, 13 Feb 2006 20:59:15 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-29371 [...] Jeff Jarvis posted a great rant: Deconstructing the Newspaper.  [ via Brad Feld ]  “Newspapers waste too much money on ego, habit, and commodity news the public already knows.  In an era of shrinking circulation, classified, and retail ad revenue — and in the face of shrinking audience and increasing competition — papers have to find new efficiencies and cut these expenses to concentrate instead on their real value (which, I’ll argue, is local reporting).“  As they say, read it all.  [...] [...] Jeff Jarvis posted a great rant: Deconstructing the Newspaper.  [ via Brad Feld ]  “Newspapers waste too much money on ego, habit, and commodity news the public already knows.  In an era of shrinking circulation, classified, and retail ad revenue — and in the face of shrinking audience and increasing competition — papers have to find new efficiencies and cut these expenses to concentrate instead on their real value (which, I’ll argue, is local reporting).“  As they say, read it all.  [...]

]]> By: Bob Stepno http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-27785 Bob Stepno Sun, 29 Jan 2006 22:52:20 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-27785 Hmm. I wonder how many readers got here by following a Web link from their local newspaper editor's new blog? http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/editor/2006/01/deconstructing_the_newspaper.shtml Hmm. I wonder how many readers got here by following a Web link from their local newspaper editor’s new blog?

http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/editor/2006/01/deconstructing_the_newspaper.shtml

]]> By: Ex-Zonie http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-26792 Ex-Zonie Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:08:58 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-26792 I don't know about their pages full of stock quotes but the <i>Wall Streen Journal</i> seems very successful. Maybe it's an exception or an anomaly. I don’t know about their pages full of stock quotes but the Wall Streen Journal seems very successful. Maybe it’s an exception or an anomaly.

]]> By: blogdriverswaltz.com » Blog Archive » links for 2006-01-24 http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-26785 blogdriverswaltz.com » Blog Archive » links for 2006-01-24 Tue, 24 Jan 2006 23:19:40 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-26785 [...] BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » New News: Deconstructing the newspaper A very interesting blog post from Jeff Jarvis. “In this post, I’ll look at what newspapers do not need to be; in a future post, we will look at what they do need to be.” (tags: newspapers journalism media publishing) [...] [...] BuzzMachine » Blog Archive » New News: Deconstructing the newspaper A very interesting blog post from Jeff Jarvis. “In this post, I’ll look at what newspapers do not need to be; in a future post, we will look at what they do need to be.” (tags: newspapers journalism media publishing) [...]

]]> By: susannac http://www.buzzmachine.com/2006/01/18/new-news-deconstructing-the-newspaper/#comment-26777 susannac Tue, 24 Jan 2006 22:32:59 +0000 http://www.buzzmachine.com/?p=1032#comment-26777 There are few national stories that don't have a local hook, if you take the time to find it. Olympics? Athletes all over working for their personal best. Financial problems? Dozens dealing with it almost on every city block. Mine disaster in West Virginia? There are work hazards in industries across the country. When I was in J-school, we were taught to make everything local - find the hook. I don't see much of that now. And what does pass for local is often what the media <i>want</i> to be important rather than what is - like the Richard Scrushy trial here in B'ham. Did I care a little what happened? Yes. Did I care 2 1/2 pages of newsprint and 10 min of TV news airtime daily? Not even close. I'd rather hear about what local politicians think about eminent domain, given the recent Supreme Court decision and the efforts to target Souter's home in New Hampshire. Are property owners here at risk? There's so much news out there that locals would find interesting, it's an embarrassment of riches. And so little of it is actually covered by the local news outlets that it's an embarrassment. There are few national stories that don’t have a local hook, if you take the time to find it. Olympics? Athletes all over working for their personal best. Financial problems? Dozens dealing with it almost on every city block. Mine disaster in West Virginia? There are work hazards in industries across the country. When I was in J-school, we were taught to make everything local - find the hook. I don’t see much of that now. And what does pass for local is often what the media want to be important rather than what is - like the Richard Scrushy trial here in B’ham. Did I care a little what happened? Yes. Did I care 2 1/2 pages of newsprint and 10 min of TV news airtime daily? Not even close. I’d rather hear about what local politicians think about eminent domain, given the recent Supreme Court decision and the efforts to target Souter’s home in New Hampshire. Are property owners here at risk?

There’s so much news out there that locals would find interesting, it’s an embarrassment of riches. And so little of it is actually covered by the local news outlets that it’s an embarrassment.

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