News & Opinion

What is journalism worth?

Robert Niles — August 19, 2011 — Online Journalism Review

What is journalism worth? That's the question journalism managers and entrepreneurs have been trying to figure out ever since it became clear, years ago, that the internet was disrupting local publishing monopolies. And so we've endured years of conference panels, email exchanges, and blog posts about paywalls and paid content strategies. Lost in this is the realization that people have been telling us -- for generations -- how much they're willing to pay for news.

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News Corp execs think James Murdoch may leave

Peter Lauria — August 19, 2011 — Reuters

News Corp's senior management is starting to think about what the company might do if James Murdoch stepped aside, sources inside and close to the global media empire said. With Rupert Murdoch's younger son under increasing pressure from the phone-hacking scandal enveloping the company, News Corp executives want to be prepared if he wants to "take a breather," one News Corp source said. "Everyone is thinking about what will happen if he has to step aside," said another.

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‘Job-killing regulations’ do nothing of the sort

John Pajak — August 19, 2011 — The Record

It's time to kill the phrase “job-killing regulations.” It’s a clever slogan invented by corporate lobbyists. But it happens to be a lie. In fact, the opposite is true. It was a lack of public oversight that allowed Wall Street to destroy millions of jobs as risky profiteering brought on the Great Recession. Both President Clinton and President Bush weakened safeguards designed to keep banks and other financial institutions from engaging in massive speculation schemes at our expense.

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No layoffs; 21 Guild members take buyout

Henry Davis — August 19, 2011 — Buffalo Newspaper Guild

A total of 21 Newspaper Guild employees took the latest, pension-based voluntary separation offer presented by The Buffalo News. Management said it came close enough to, or exceeded, its goal of cutting Guild payroll and benefits by $1.8 million and, as a result, does not anticipate layoffs to cut costs. In addition, the company said eight managers took a buyout in a separate voluntary separation offer for management at The News, including two from Editorial.

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Workers' comp systems getting stricter

Melissa Maynard — August 19, 2011 — Stateline

State workers’ comp systems in America have little in common, with no federal standards and almost no federal involvement. And now they're putting on the squeeze, tightening eligibility in response to rising medical costs. This year, legislatures in Montana, Illinois, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Kansas and Washington State made significant changes aimed at cutting costs and demonstrating a more business-friendly climate.

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Customers Feel Some Ripples From the Verizon Strike

Steven Greenhouse — August 19, 2011 — New York Times

As a strike by 45,000 Verizon workers approaches the two-week mark, the company’s customers are beginning to feel the impact — and are complaining about it. In photo above, News Media Guild President Tony Winton and TNG-CWA Chairperson Martha Waggoner walk the picket line Friday outside a Verizon retail store in Washington, D.C.; close behind is Jay West, of the Guild's administrative staff.

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Striking Verizon workers stage candlelight vigil outside CEO’s NJ home to protest benefit cuts

Josh Lederman — August 19, 2011 — Associated Press

Hundreds of striking Verizon workers held a candlelight vigil outside their CEO’s mansion Thursday, hoping to draw a stark contrast between the contract demands of blue-collar workers and the quality of life enjoyed by the company’s executives. Wearing red shirts, singing union songs and chanting “What’s disgusting? Union busting,” union members lit candles outside Lowell McAdam’s home as the sun set on Mendham, New Jersey.

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'Unconference' for young workers coming to Twin Cities next month

— August 19, 2011 — St. Paul Union Advocate

With an eye toward developing the next generation of labor activists – and giving their movement a much-needed shot of youthful energy – leaders of the AFL-CIO are bringing Next Up, a summit for young workers, to the Twin Cities next month. Geared toward workers under 35, Next Up is “a creative, dynamic summit designed for young workers, by young workers.” It will take place Sept. 29 to Oct. 2 in Minneapolis, and is open to union and non-union workers alike.

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