Sunday, January 20, 2019

Clarion-Ledger: Rebirth or Retrench?

More changes are coming to the Clarion-Ledger.  Executive Editor Samuel Hall announced today:


Starting Monday, we are making access to more national content available to you. In an effort to better serve our loyal subscribers, we will include the full USA TODAY (News, Sports, Money and Life) as part of your Monday-Friday electronic edition at no additional cost. The e-edition, a digital replica for the daily print edition, is available only to subscribers. We know you’ll enjoy it.

On average readers spend almost 11 minutes each day reading the e-edition of their community newspaper, and readers read roughly 23 pages per visit. Now your subscription to the Clarion Ledger gives you free access to a complete, second newspaper — for free.

The daily e-edition will provide at least four times the amount of national content that you have been receiving in the Clarion Ledger. The new e-edition will contain many features that we previously were not able to provide to you, such as 50 States, a roundup of the news from every state.

We will continue to provide a daily package of national and international news in the daily print edition, although the current free-standing compact USA TODAY section will no longer exist. You now will find national news in the A section. Also, because of this change, our comics and puzzles have moved to the B section behind Sports.

JJ predicted this would happen several years ago. Gannett is simply allowing the print edition to die on the vine. Coverage of the past high school football season was moved to the Sunday print edition - a clear sign that the Saturday edition's days are numbered. Hell, the Sunday edition didn't even carry a Best Buy circular during the past Christmas season. The "state newspaper" is down to eight news reporters although it is seeking to expand the news staff. It will not be surprising to soon read the announcement that the Clarion-Ledger will only print three editions per week.

While the newspaper is converting to what will one be a digital-only format, advertising has not been able to make up for lost revenue.  Craigslist and sites such as Monster.com obliterated the classified advertising revenue.  More retailers are issuing digital coupons that bypass the media.  Instagram and Facebook are taking over society event coverage (right, Northside Sun?).  Oh, and most digital advertising dollars go to Google and Facebook while they pirate newspaper content.   

Then there is the matter of the proposed Gannett buyout.  Expect more butchery if that comes to pass.

47 comments:

Anonymous said...

Translation:

The Clarion Ledger will be USA Today with one additional page about local news.

Anonymous said...

I canceled last month after a 14 year subscription. National news is the last thing I want from my local news paper. I can get that in 100 different places. What is missing and far more interesting is local news, local events, local sports, and even local politics.

Theca Jones of the Roguish Gent Podcast said...

Awww

Anonymous said...

There goes the Fifth Estate!
The only people left is Jackson Jambalaya to do investigating reporting.

No one will do deep investigating reporting.






Anonymous said...

JJ outreports the five remaining reporters at the CL anyway.

Anonymous said...

the sports section is a joke. seriously....a joke. every good local sports score is printed 2 days after the event actually was played. its like they want to end the paper....seriously. adapt or die. the cl is about to die and everyone knows it. #absolutelypathetic #goodriddance

Anonymous said...

JFP is dying too.

Witnessing Sam Hall's Demise.. said...

Sam Hall is one delusional maniac. Who the hell does he think reads this paper anyway. I cancelled a year ago when it went to $53 a month and should have had my ass kicked for continuing that long after forty some-odd years.

Won't bother to wait for him to explain where he gets his stats regarding how long somebody spends reading this rag...as if he has any way of knowing that. He makes this shit up.

What remains is nothing but a reverse-racist tabloid pandering to the worst of Jackson's hoodlums. But, none of those thugs subscribe and the ones who can read ain't into his version of nooze.

How much will that iron fence around the Jackson Daily building bring on the open market?

Anonymous said...

Plus sports for college and likely die hard nfl coverage have gone to message board or team specific sites.

Recruiting forums. NFL.COM. Fantasy football sites.

Anonymous said...

When a local newspaper dies what happens to legal notices which are required by law to be published in the local newspaper? Just wondering. Maybe a lawyer could answer, if he knows.

The Ghost of Frank Melton said...

At $1.30 PER WORD for an obituary that is printed in one edition, the Estates of the deceased will make sure the Clarion Ledger print edition survives. And that my friends is the bottom line.

Anonymous said...

Bad news for Ole Miss and Democrat sympathizers. Who will proclaim their greatness now?

Anonymous said...

Remind me he name of those racist owners that sold it to Gannett? They aren't hurting are they?

Anonymous said...

I will not criticize, but factually state that my dad died 40 tears ago. The CL posted a modest obit about him at no charge. My mom died last year.. I paid over $1000 to the CL for a modest obit about her.



Anonymous said...

"When a local newspaper dies what happens to legal notices which are required by law to be published in the local newspaper? "

They are already obligated to be printed in some local paper(s) I am sure you have never seen. I forget the name of the one I saw but I was shocked the C-L was not the designated paper. I forget if it is state or city law that dictates where and how often a legal notice must run.

Anonymous said...

5 are left at the Clarion? No way.

Anonymous said...

Continue to jack up the price of a more and more poorer product, then try to make me feel better by offering something for free that I didn't want....Journalist are certainly not marketers...

Anonymous said...

When my spouse passed away six years I ran the identical obituary in the Clarion Ledger and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal (Tupelo). The Clarion Ledger charged $585.00. The Daily Journal's price was $52.00. The funeral director had warned me about the prices the CL charged, but I was still shocked. I hate to see the local paper die, but in many ways they have done it to themselves with poor reporting and escalating prices. I cancelled my subscription about eight years ago when the price got higher than my monthly water bill. A few years ago I investigated renewing my subscription, but when I saw the footnote that there was an extra charge for the "Black Friday" edition I knew I wanted no part of their scam. Thank goodness for the Northside Sun and Madison County Journal.

Cynical Sam said...

They can't go out of the print business!! Where would we get our bird cage liner?

Anonymous said...

I look to local media for local news, not national news. Paper or TV. Why is it so difficult to get real local news? I don’t mean the daily crime report or overnight house fire story either.

Anonymous said...

The news scene in Jackson is pathetic. You have the clarion ledger that I (and 95% of people don’t read) because it’s a newspaper and also their website restricts you to 3 stories a month. Then you have the local news websites that look like they are generated by middle schoolers. Then you have radio but really who listen to the radio? Sad. Just sad.

Anonymous said...

The reason it's difficult to get local news in Mississippi is because with each passing day, Mississippi agencies become more and more secretive about operations and what they are NOT getting done. So, even "connected" media types are running out of things to report on except the same old bogus drivel spoonfed to them by the agency heads to politically survive. It's an insider's game in Mississippi....and if you even slightly go off script, the steel doors slam down on you. So even the Mississippi media that's been in cahoots with all the political players since Reconstruction are having to turn and churn "national" news to stay in business. Perhaps Jerry Mitchell and the new Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting will make some waves and gain a following.....time will tell. Hope so.

Anonymous said...

The Hattiesburg American, which is also a Gannett newspaper, is already down to being published 3 days per week. There was a post that the Hattiesburg American had about 25,000 subscribers in 1995 and is now down to about 4,000. When it went to 3 days per week, the editor promised to a better newspaper. Instead, it is the same pitiful coverage at a high subscription rate.

Anonymous said...

When the CL stopped publication of the Clinton News I stopped getting it. We have a local paper now called the Courier that prints community news and is filled with seemingly endless advertising. I think the publisher of that publication is doing very well from at least two viewpoints: news and finances.

Anonymous said...


I hope life affords me the privilege of seeing the CL close its doors.

As just a normal John Q Public, it has insulted me with its constant reminders of the worst of this state's history for years. The prodding of our past and the elevation of today's professional victims have made me vomit with disdain many times.

I just wish its demise had been the revocation of its content by the readership and not technology.

Anonymous said...

KARMA

Anonymous said...

@8:17

Jerry Mitchell ??? You've got to be kidding. Has Jerry Mitchell reported on any news story less than 50 years old in the last decade ? He is the consummate "one trick pony" of newspaper reporters.

Rod Knox said...

There has been no reliable source of local news in Tupelo for decades. Coupons and legal notices have been the only possible worthwhile offerings in the paper . Here, like so many small towns, rumors and cheap drivel on forums like facebook are considered news.

Captain William said...

I was a news junky from even my high school days (1960s). My parents always subscribed to the Clarion Ledger and I continued the family tradition until I couldn't stand it anymore. Thirty years ago I realized that it had become just another fake news left-wing rag that blamed everything wrong with the world on European-American whites.

GOOD RIDDANCE!! The Clarion Liar should have died years ago.

Anonymous said...

You have to remember that anyone 34 and younger does not know how to read a newspaper. They look at Instagram and Facebook and swear that this is the truth. It's the total changing of society, heck my wife doesn't know what is going on and she is 54 and if it's not on Facebook she doesn't know what happened till she hears it 2 weeks later.
My problem with the Clarion is that it reports news that occurred 4 days ago like it happened yesterday afternoon. The sports are being covered by 24 year old bloggers that are just putting stuff out to get paid, most likely per article. This is the society coming along that doesn't understand work ethics and believes everything should be provided, by you not them.

Wiseowl said...

Where is Jimmy Ward when we need him?

Anonymous said...

I looked at the digital edition of the Clarion Ledger this morning. There's little local reporting, as expected. What I didn't expect is that they have removed the USA Today pages from the Clarion Ledger app. Up until now, the USA Today pages were included, so at least it seemed like one newspaper with different sections. Now, I guess they expect me to load another app so I can get USA Today - which I've never wanted.

I have to agree with 6:30 am.

Unknown said...

Some of you don't seem to get the big picture. Newspaper owners/managers do not want to generate a printed newspaper; too much of a headache. The resources - machinery, materials, labor - are not worth the effort. They had much rather go totally electronic. I have read a printed newspaper for well over 50 years, and I will miss it when that time comes. But to be honest, I cannot blame the people in the news business for heading in that direction.

Cynical Sam said...

The majority of newspapers have been bought out by big progressive/liberal corporations, like Gannett. They control the content, which is...wait for it...progressive/liberal drivel.

You wonder why creeping socialism exists? Throw in Soros and Bloomberg, and there you have it.

Anonymous said...

Um...Does 7:47p really not know that websites track what you look at and how long you look at it? (as well as about a hundred other things like what city you're in, your IP address, your OS, your service provider, etc.)

Anonymous said...

By including USA Today in the Ledger, USAT can claim it as a paid subscription, which lifts USAT's sagging circulation.


Anonymous said...

All newspapers except the WAPO (Jeff Bezos $$$) are being forced to compete in the private sector marketplace. This means that Income must exceed Outgo. Advertising dollars have plummeted, circulation has dropped to the lowest level ever, and news junkies have more sources than ever to get their 24/7 news. Print journalism is not sustainable in this environment.

The CL's problem is they produce an inferior product by any measure one cares to use. Karma and Competition are both BITCHES. To quote Malcolm X on MLK Day........Ah, the chickens have come home to roost! It's going to get very ugly for the CL "journalists".

Anonymous said...

The readership base of the print CL is an older population. Guess what Gannett and Sam R. Hall? THEY DON'T HAVE INTERNET. So, you take away half of their pages and double their rates. GENIUS!

Anonymous said...

Clarion Liar......what a joke.

Since Sept, we've had 3 or 4 different delivery carriers. At least once a week, we're calling asking where is the paper and end up being given a credit to account.

When they announced the increase to over $50 a month. I told wife to cancel it. When she called, the lady tried to talk her out of it, after telling her no we're canceling, she said let me have a supervisor call and talk to us......surprise, he called in less than 15 minutes. He had all of our account info handy, was very courteous and said to keep us a customers, he was rolling our delivery cost from $32 a month, back to $22 a month for the next two years.

Even so, what is delivered isn't worth the $22. After throwing the "so called sports section" away, the rest of the paper is in the trash 5 minutes later. I say good riddance.

Anonymous said...

Isn't the CL run by the Water Dept?

Anonymous said...

King - you need to look into expanding your operation. The Clarion is dying and you are the only hard news outlet with credibility.

Paul Mitchell said...

I canceled the Clarion-Ledger in 2008 or 2009 and continued to receive the paper for at least two years afterward. I had to email Hampton to tell him to quit throwing that crap in my yard.

And still it came to my home, at least until I sold the house and moved to Ocean Springs in 2011. Who knows, they might still be throwing it into the yard.

Anonymous said...

I believe Gannet is partly responsible for the mess this country finds itself in. Local news and local accountability are necessary for maintaining local spirit. Television thrives on controversy and crime. Talk radio seems to maintain some balance in some cases. This Blog is very valuable to those who read it along with a couple of other bloggers in the Jackson Metro area. We are in trouble folks!

Eye On Gubment said...

The remaining question is this: Will David Bishop be selling used cars for Mac Haik or throwing Clarion Ledger papers come next November 20?

Anonymous said...

Like the old song about being country, many of us knew media outlets like the Clarion Liar to be a propagandist producer of constant fake news, long before knowing it was cool.

From the Christian hater Bill Minor who tried to convince us that his white collar thug son was framed by George W. Bush (other white collar thug Tort Kings like Richard “Dickie” Scruggs proved otherwise), to the Clarion’s lying headlines that “Riots” had occurred at Ole Miss on election night in 2012, the Clarion had for many years successfully sucked mostly conservative Mississippi residents and business folk into supporting their continuous leftist hate.

If the Clarion finally goes away one day, the decades long joke on conservatives having kept it alive with their subscriptions and advert dollars will finally be over.

Teresa said...

January 20 @8:23 see the attached article.
https://cglawms.com/publication-summons-notice-mississippi/

Anonymous said...

I left the CL several years ago on my own terms (not laid off). I'd been getting the paper at home via payroll deduction. So when I left ... I was no longer on their payroll. The carrier kept throwing the paper. I never read it. Six months later, the newspaper bills me for the six months and threatens to turn me over to collections unless I paid for something that not only I never asked for, but that I should have ceased getting because it was being paid out of my CL salary, which happened to go away when I left. I think I bargained them down to about $19 because I just wanted them to go the hell away.



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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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