Saturday, June 20, 2015

Time to blow up the Times-Picayune

Newhouse continues its war on the Times-Picayine as the New Orleans-based Gambit Weekly reports the newspaper and its website, Nola.com, will merge with Al.com to form a regional media group:


Two days after executives at NOLA Media Group, publisher of NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune, announced the company would be merging with the Alabama Media Group to form a new "Southeast Regional Media Group," managers at the media company's offices in One Canal Place met with reporters to announce the newsroom would shrink — again.

"They're being pretty upfront about the fact there will be layoffs," said one newsroom staffer. Another joked grimly that it may be "2012 redux" — referring to the firings of some 200 Times-Picayune employees in 2012, a move which riled the city for months and made national news, complete with a report on 60 Minutes.

Director of State and Metro Content Mark Lorando spent part of today and yesterday meeting with small groups within the paper, several people told Gambit. Lorando described layoffs as "deep" to one employee.

The restructuring is scheduled to take place in the latter half of 2015 and be complete by early 2016, said sources with knowledge of the plan.

Unlike the last major round of cuts, the sources said, sports, arts and feature reporters also are at risk in this round of cuts; in 2012, many of the firings came on the news side. What's unclear is whether duplicate positions in New Orleans and Alabama, like copy editors, would be combined in the new Southeast Regional Media Group. Also unclear when it comes to firings: how much weight will be placed on each writer's "clicks" — the number of times online readers click on a story — which are closely tracked within NOLA Media Group.

Writers in the newsroom say they fear a further diminution of the newsgathering organization's traditional beat structure, which resulted in many reporters covering the same topics for years. After the 2012 move, many news beats were de-emphasized, with writers moved around to "plug holes" as necessary — with the exception of a few of the company's marquee names, like Pulitzer Prize-winning environmental reporter Mark Schleifstein. In a smaller newsroom, sources say, the approach would be less beat reporting than "flooding the zone" — moving a significant number of reporters to cover an important (or click-driving) issue, posting a blitz of many stories on a single topic quickly. (KF note: Remember when CL had every reporter covering the tornado damage in North Mississippi or five reporters covering the nursing home scandal last year.).

(The term "flood the zone," as used journalistically , is sometimes ascribed to former New York Times Executive Editor Howell Raines — father of Jeff Raines of the funk band Galactic — but Raines told the Boston Phoenix in 2003 that it actually was coined by the NYT's Deputy Managing Editor John Geddes.) Rest of article.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

JJ or a subscription consortium/coop of JJ's is the future.

You've proven a worth more than that.

You've gone further in Mississippi than any online journalist. Ever.

Anonymous said...

The Advocate in Red Stick is killing them! Need to report on more than the garden district social calendar.

Anonymous said...

I am surprised at how well The Advocate is doing.

Anonymous said...

Sad to see newspapers failing but not surprising. Their liberal agenda alienates their largest market, educated republicans. Piss off 70% of the potential readership and you get what you deserve.

Anonymous said...

I believe 8:34 has a valid point. I read the front section of the Clarion Ledger, toss the USA today, and read whatever else they give me with the comics and puzzles. Seriously will not read USA today and its warped view. Thanks JJ for keeping us up to date with real news.

Getchur Own Damned Blog said...

Master blowhard, suckup pandering at 6:24. Mr. Jambalaya has, more than a few times, shown himself to be incapable of sharing the credit, taking a back seat or allowing others to excel. While often scooping the normal news persons, Mr. Jam is deeply mired in the repetitive criticism of all others, whether posters here or other blog runners or 'publishers'. Growing, as is suggested above, would require employing others and letting them do their jobs without the extreme control and manipulation Mr. Jam would exercise. Could not be done without a long period of counseling.

Anonymous said...

June 21, 2015 at 6:46 AM = Extremely Loyal JJ Reader!

Anonymous said...

I laugh every time someone talks about the "liberal agenda" of the Clarion Ledger or other major news outlets. It would appear that many think if the paper doesn't say what the want to hear, or what the believe to be correct, it is obviously a "liberal agenda." I bet they really loved the Clarion Ledger when it was owned by the Headerman's and was to the reich of the citizens council. Faux News has made a fortune catering to this demographic, telling them what they want to hear, and saying they are fair and balanced.

Keep On Truckin' said...

Female, under 34, wearing sandals and no makeup @ 9:14. I forgot to mention vegetarian plotting the next protest at restaurant selling beef. Or could be male over 45 with same characteristics and M.O.

Anonymous said...

9:14 - Learn to spell the name of the prior owner and understand that the CL is not a 'major news outlet'. What are you smoking over there at Saltines?

Anonymous said...

As someone who literally learned to read by reading newspapers (like the Times-Picayune and the Jackson Daily News) as a child, I now find myself obtaining most of my "news" via blogs such as JJ and through the social media pages I've "liked" that are part of my Facebook news feed. I do subscribe to a couple of weekly newspapers that give me "local news" as well as social/features coverage, which is what a local weekly newspaper is good at doing.

I gave up on the Gannett products a long time ago. The newspaper chute that was built into our brick mailbox is now home to a dirt dauber nest.

Anonymous said...

The Fourth Estate no longer exists.
Journalism is no longer a profession, it's entertainment or a business or propaganda and finding anything remotely objective and fact based is a challenge.
Our citizenry has little interest in being informed but rather in having their preconceived notions reinforced.
And, frequent comments here indicate that perhaps that our attention spans are now that of gold fish may be value research.
Since a democratic republic depends on an informed citizenry, this doesn't bode well for our future.





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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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