News media blogger Wemple writes: "Any local news operation that hires 15 people to do anything in the year 2012 invites eyebrow-lifting from media watchers. That’s because the usual headline moves the opposite way, that of laying off 15 editorial staffers. Or many more. In this industry, a hiring spree for local news is sort of like hearing a whimper under the rubble of an earthquake: Has someone figured out how to survive this thing?"
The Washington-Baltimore Newspaper Guild and the Labor Heritage Foundation are sponsoring the “Occupy Now!” photo contest, looking for great photos of the Occupy movement in three categories: best student photo, best amateur photo and best professional photo. Each award will be $333.33, totaling $999.99 for the 99 percent. The deadline for submissions is June 1. Winners will be announced at the Great Labor Arts Exchange festival, June 22-25.
A House of Commons committee investigating the News International hacking scandal has issued a report condemning top executives and editors, including James and Rupert Murdoch. The report recommends that the House of Commons decide whether a contempt of Parliament has been committed and whether punishment should be meted out.
Yesterday we publicized a Rasmussen poll showing that 66 percent of American adults prefer to read a print newspaper rather than a digital edition. Today, the Audit Bureau of Circulations, better known as ABC, reports that newspapers nationwide gained readership over the past six months, with a 5 percent bump for Sunday circulation.
Turns out the old joke is no joke: A Rasmussen poll finds that 66 percent of American adults prefer to read a print newspaper rather than the online version.
A new book claims that legendary Washington Post executive editor Ben Bradlee once harbored doubts about whether star reporter Bob Woodward was completely “straight” when recounting in his best-selling Watergate book some of the dramatic, cinematic elements of the scandal.
Historically, the Associated Press has sat at the front of news technology innovation. Whether it was introducing the rotary press to speed up printing, bringing in teletypewriters (a printer connected to a telegraph) or launching the WirePhoto Network (ability to send images over phone lines), the AP offered new ways of information distribution. Now it’s confronted with the rise of social media.
Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden have similar press councils comprising journalists and lay members who review complaints against the media. If a news organization is found in violation of the country's code of journalistic ethics, it must publicize the ruling. A staffer to one of two tribunals in Norway says it's like, “The fox that watches the henhouse. But it is a very good fox! A very serious fox.”
President Obama worked the room like a pro Saturday night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, with well received jokes about himself, fellow politicians, Donald Trump and the Secret Service. But he also took time to remember journalists who died covering world conflict, and to honor journalism itself. "Never forget that our country depends on you to help protect our freedom, our democracy and our way of life," Obama said.
Guild members Michael Berens and Ken Armstrong, who won the 2012 Pulitzer for investigative reporting, have dedicated the $10,000 prize to pay for IRE training for fellow staffers in Seattle.
