Friday, November 22, 2019

So Long to Sam

Sam Hall is leaving the Clarion-Ledger.  The state newspaper reported: 


Hall, who has spent nearly 20 years in journalism, joined the Clarion Ledger in 2012. He oversaw a digital transformation of the newsroom before taking over all digital operations. He was named interim executive editor in 2014 and was named to the full-time role the following January.

Katrice Hardy, the regional editor for the South, will help oversee the news organization’s operations with its current leadership team in the interim.

I know, many readers will rejoice.  Haven't seen bad, have you? 

51 comments:

Anonymous said...

Even though I might not have always agreed with Sam, this is not something to be celebrated. Things will get much worse for the paper I'm afraid.

Anonymous said...

Bye Felicia!

Anonymous said...

Best news I've had all day. That newspaper is gone no matter who comes or goes. The only decent newspaper I am aware of in this state is the Sun Herald on the coast. I get as much information from them as I do from the Clarion-Ledger and I live in Ridgeland.

Anonymous said...

Grew up in Jackson with the Clarion ledger\Jackson Daily News. We got the afternoon paper because both parents worked. Looked forward to it everyday. Gannett destroyed it by making it left-wing and reducing it to a nothing paper.

Anonymous said...

I am 100% sure things will get worse AT CL. It is so sad seems like every move the CL makes just digs the hole deeper.

Anonymous said...

If they changed from a liberal voice to a conservative voice, they would grow their readership. Also, cover relevant news rather than just racebaiting stories.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a business opportunity. Why don't you genius conservatives start your own paper? Fill the pages with your honesty, wit, and creativity! C'mon let's see you put your money where your mouth is!

Anonymous said...

The hedge fund that bought Gannett will make sweeping changes at all the papers. They are only interested in MONEY. Sam saw the handwriting on the wall and took a power. Both of the journalists left at the CL better be reading their want-ads. To quote Dany Don Meredith...........Turn out the lights....the party's over.

Anonymous said...

Dang. I was hoping he would stay long enough to learn the difference between Mississippi State and Ole Miss. I guess not.

Seriously, why wouldn't we all be cheering this? Any time that incompetent employees leave a company, there is hope that the company improves. The Clarion Ledger is full of entitled, government type employees who are in no way ever held accountable. That is why they are losing subscribers.

Anonymous said...

Probably going to the Daily Worker.

Anonymous said...

Dance on his grave, low lifes

Anonymous said...

The bullshit story of finding Hall after a nationwide search was just that, a bullshit story. No one ever read the C-L during his leadership and saw a glimmer of hope. Not influential beyond the role itself, nothing but a caretaker. He managed the demise of a sinking ship. That is all he did.

Anonymous said...

Are we sure Nashville got this right?

Anonymous said...

Good riddance. His liberal bias was sickening in a profession that preaches objectivity yet largely pushes a party agenda. If the First Amendment is so sacrosanct then try going back to reporting the facts without editorializing. One look at his twitter feed tells anyone all they need to know about the Clarion Ledger’s ‘objectivity’ under his watch.

Anonymous said...

Moved here two years ago and the clarion ledger is a complete joke by trying to charge people to read day old news online. I get more news here than I’ve ever gotten on the clarion ledger and that’s because every time I go to their site it blocks you from reading.

Anonymous said...

A HARD CORE DEMOCRAT-

Anonymous said...

Is Sam going to Mississippi Today or Jackson Free Press. Both are Non Partisan as is the Clarion Ledger. Hehehe

Kingfish said...

Gannett eliminated the exec. editor position.

Anonymous said...

For those with home delivery, future newspapers will be delivered on a postcard.

Marilyn Brookes said...

Wouldn't it be lovely to have a non-partisan news source that gave facts, not opinions? Why is that so impossible?

Anonymous said...

Riffed.

Anonymous said...

I just hope Kingfish never leaves Jackson Jambalaya.

Anonymous said...

Gannett and GateHouse, two major newspaper chains, finished their planned merger, and the combined company intends to cut the combined budget by at least $300 million. That will come on top of unending job losses over the past decade in the affected newsrooms of more than 500 papers.
__The Washington Post

Sweet Sweet Karma said...

Twice I suffered the wrath of Hall's liberal bully-pulpit and was not allowed (by him) to respond to his printed lies and false assumptions. But, that's part of the territory for an unscrupulous publisher or editor or correspondent, for that matter. And, we all do run that risk when we tolerate their existence and encourage their behavior.

And when we pay to consume their daily dribble, we encourage them. But, as is the case here, Karma will eventually bite each of them in the ass, tho it make take a while. Just be patient.

Anonymous said...

One of my biggest issues with living in Jackson has always been the Clarion-Ledger. The difference between an independent paper that truly represents it’s community (Baton Rouge and Mobile still have them) and a corporate paper that pushes an outside agenda is huge, even as the role of newspapers has diminished. The sale of the C-L to Gannett surely enriched the Hederman family but it has contributed to the impoverishment of Jackson. Does anyone here remember the quote from one of the Hedermans at the time in a national magazine (Time or Newsweek?). In response to being labeled a slur (whore?) for selling out, he said something like “If I’m a whore, I’m the highest-priced gigolo in America!”
Anyway, as far as the present-day paper goes, “Get Woke, Go Broke!”

Anonymous said...

Dang 7;00 AM—I had to read your post twice to make sure I hadn’t written it. Same thing happened to me as in your first sentence, I wrote a fiery but accurate response to the CL lies and half truths and he wouldn’t print my defense , even after my lawyer threatened to sue him. Because I was an elected official I was reminded that I had a slim to nothing chance of winning a slander suit. Yep—I’m a Republican. Maybe he can go hang out with that sorry excuse of a reporter Katie Royals.

Anon-E-Mouse said...

The CL is a shell of its former self. It’s nothing more than a USA Today

Anonymous said...

What’s a “newspaper”?

Anonymous said...

Only reason I have this excuse for a paper is when they were going up to $56 a week, I called and cancelled.

Next day someone called and told me if I remained a subscriber, they'd drop my fee to $22 a week. Told them no and they said how about if they let me have the e-version for $6 a week.

Soon as they try to increase that, its bye!

Anonymous said...

I quit paying for this leftist POS several years ago.

You can read 10 articles for free before it tells you that you need to subscribe to continue reading. As sorry as the articles about another race baiting story it can take a week or two for you to reach 10.

Then I just change my IP address and to magic 10 number starts again. This week my IP address comes out of Europe.

Cynical Sam said...

@9:30AM - that's the old school term for "bird cage liner."

Anonymous said...

He can always learn to code. Lol 😂

Anonymous said...

Gannett is the originator of the 4am memo that coordinates all the day's media talking points. It's why they're based in McClean, VA. Also why they built the Newseum in DC. A monument to themselves. What their local markets want is immaterial to them.

Anonymous said...

You won't know it when he is gone because nobody can point to anything he actually accomplished.

Micah Gober said...

The Clarion Ledger makes good packing paper.

Anonymous said...

"Hall, who has spent nearly 20 years in journalism,"

Pretty sure that isn't what it's called.

Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself said...

I see what you did there...using journalism and Clarion Ledger together, right there in the same sentence, as if one described the other.

Kingfish said...

If you're the guy I'm thinking of, you got screwed. An editorial was written about you but then when our illustrious DA in Hinds County used truly racist language, nary a word about it on the editorial page.

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness for Wyatt Emmerich and all of his local newspapers!

Anonymous said...

When the CL ceases to produce a print edition, as they inevitably will; there will be an entire city block of vacant real estate downtown. Over half the square footage of that building is printing related. There are 2 cold offset presses inside. Both span 3 floors, as well as a sub basement and the paper warehouse across Pascagoula Street. I can't imagine anyone buying either press, as they're both over 30 years old. Nor would anyone likely want to print there because of the logistical problems associated with downtown. Not to mention the current death spiral Jackson is in. An off site printing location outside of Jackson with newer equipment would be more practical. I.E., Hederman Brothers, Gluckstadt. The two stories of office space (advertising & newsroom) could be commercially viable, but the taxes on a half block of useless space probably wouldn't justify the overall costs. Plus whatever environmental cleanup would be. There are 6 ink tanks in the sub basement, as well as various industrial solvents used in printing to deal with.

tl;dr Get ready for another empty block of RE in downtown Jackson.

Anonymous said...

"The only decent newspaper I am aware of in this state is the Sun Herald on the coast."

Oh, without a doubt. It is so decent, it will be publishing the winning lottery numbers at least two days in advance. Well, it will be until its parent company is bankrupt - Google it.

Anonymous said...

Does this mean there will be more accurate reporting of MSU and less pimping Ole Miss? I doubt it...

Anonymous said...

Since 2004, more than 2000 newspapers in the U.S. have gone under.

There remain only four 7-day a week papers in Mississippi with a population of 3,000,000.

Anonymous said...

Has anyone else read today’s (Sunday’s) paper? Nearly every one of the non-sport’s stories have run before - I don’t mean digitally, I mean in print in prior editions. It’s like Groundhog Day. Clearly when they let Sam Hall go, they didn’t have anyone ready to step in seamlessly.

Anonymous said...

Yes, 5:04, how could we survive without thirty monthly pages of photos of the elite and entitled swilling wine while dancing The Light Fantastic?

shadyal said...

I sent a letter to the editor about the use of the word "could" in headlines.
Asking was this a NEWSpaper or a COULDpaper? Unicorns COULD land on CAPITOL st I commented.....

Instead of the letter being published, i got an email from Sam, explaining it. So he didn't want my letter publicly stating my thoughts, so he sends me a bullshit explanation of it's explaining to the public what COULD happen....obviously he didn't want my thoughts in the paper, as some COULD agree with me!

Anonymous said...

But wait Gate-House said no news room layoffs!

That is however how they operate after buyouts and mergers. Just ask all the other newspapers they have bought over the years.

I have said it before the leadership of Gannett, and other large newspaper groups somehow missed their down fall. Missed the coming social media blitz. These high paid geniuses completely failed as a group. Totally unprepared and had only one answer "layoffs" to cut cost.

8:27 is right, along with the rail siding used to bring in the rolls by train and the underground trolley system to bring rolls from said warehouse to the basement and then the presses.

Once you get beyond the newsroom and part of the first floor that is one nasty building.

Anonymous said...

10:06 - Point is, you can't 'get past the newsroom' and ain't nobody up there. And the 5000 square foot lobby is an echo chamber with one person behind a large reception center. The building will be for sale in a year and the ACLU can purchase it.

Anonymous said...

Paper no longer comes via rail. The track on Commerce St has been removed. CL now uses it as a staging area, I think. They get paper by truck at the Pascagoula St warehouse. But you're correct, all of that is useless if there's no longer a print edition.

Anonymous said...

Scum Herald is pretty much the same, and I read their owner McClatchy is nearing bankruptcy.

In All Fairness.. said...

I've read every post and not a damned one supports the paper or this Hall character. What's up with that - as I don't know. Just giving Sam a chance to post anonymously.



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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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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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