Journalism Cuts

03Jul08

By Charles E. Roop

It’s the economy, stupid. Or is it?

The newspaper industry has suffered like a mother in the last few months to the point where job cuts are imminent. Many in the journalism world are hoping to God that they will either be employed or be able to get a job when they get their journalism degree (like me).

One of the factors to the mess is bad economic conditions. When businesses cut their budgets, advertising is one of the things that gets sent to the back burner. Therefore, newspapers and TV stations loose revenue, and – well you get the picture. Also, another bad sign is the dwindling readership of newspapers. For most people everybody is getting their news from TV or the internet, that or attention spans are much shorter.

But are there more factors? One blogger says “yes.” Hilary Lehman, a friend and journalism student at UF, referenced Mark Potts’s post and he has his reasons:

Failing to understand the power and impact of the Internet.
Failing to be creative about business models to fully monetize Internet content.
Failing to be creative about working with advertisers to find new online ad models.
Failing to take seriously powerful new competitors like Craigslist, Monster and Google.
Failing to provide readers with enough relevant, compelling, can’t-get-it-anywhere-else content–especially local coverage.
Failing to understand that 20 percent profit margins aren’t a divine right.
Failing to move quickly enough to rein in costs and find efficiencies throughout the business.
Failing to move quickly enough, generally

Nearly 900 journalism jobs have been lost in one week according to Pott’s post. This is a wake-up call to not only journalists and journalism students, but to our profession. But what can we do to fix the problem that that newspaper management crackpipes helped start? Maybe fire some of those execs who don’t know anything about how journalism really works. A lot of these people have some B.S. degree (I don’t mean Bachelors degree) in business who’s only goal is to cut corners, make a six-figure salary and place in ridiculous profit margins. These people don’t have informing the public in mind at all.

Maybe another strategy in who and how the news is gathered? Restructuring? Shuffling? More of an online focus w/ extensive multimedia, but leave in-depth stuff for print? The Tampa Tribune is apparently making some bold moves according to Jessie DaSilva’s blog (another J-school friend and current intern at the Tribune – read her post). However, some sacrifices have to be made for that bold move: 21 employees need to be let go in the coming days. Photographers from the Tribune and WFLA-TV (both are under the same roof) are asked to “reapply” according to the National Press Photographers Association latest posting.

Maybe consider either charging for in-depth online content or more advertising?

Maybe consider a redesign of the paper? Or online redesign? Make the content more attractive. Allow more reader feedback online (if that’s not already in place). The more hits, the more $$$ in advertising.

Maybe move from a profit system to a non-profit system like the St. Petersburg Times? I have yet to hear of any major financial issues. Maybe because they don’t have profit margins or greedy shareholders to deal with.

You know, I think one of the big issues of newspapers (or the media in general) is greed. It’s all about money. Nobody gives a flying-$%#@ about journalism, the greater good or anything close to that. And I think that because of these cuts, the quality of journalism is suffering. The “that’s okay if it’s not the best” bull needs to stop now.

I also think that it’s lack of playing “catch up”. There needs to be some bold moves done in the business to fix the problem.

I believe the press has a fundamental place in a democracy. You don’t have a free press, you don’t have a democracy. Cutting corners, laying off staff and creating bad morale  will not make it better. It’s time for a journalism revolution. What will be the keys to this revolution is up for discussion. However, change needs to begin now not only for our jobs (or, for us journalism students, future employment), but for the mission of the press.

So, it is the economy? Yes…and no.

Filed under: Journalism   |  Leave a Comment