Notes on the Revolution

A list of reader suggestions for the Miami Herald. Some of the points resonate: dedication to investigative/watchdog journalism, analytical and explanatory news coverage, comprehensive coverage of emerging minorities, improved editing

One entry was posted from a 65-year-old website publisher who basically urged the Herald to “knock him off” his business beat so he could retire in peace. This reminded me of similar situations I wrote about in my (still unpublished) book. This kind of competition exists in more places than you think. I saw it at my hometown paper and the first paper I worked for in Indiana more than 10 years ago. What can be learned from these entrepreneurs?

A terrific blog entry from online journalist Kevin Anderson. In a post titled What has prevented newspapers from being successful in the digital age? Anderson explores the newspaper industry’s continued fumbles in the new media realms. The statement that rings most true is this one, found toward the close of his post:

You can find new ways to make money, but you can also find new ways to make high-quality, compelling content with less money and not just with less staff.

Yes, newspapers have tried, but they haven’t learned much from their efforts. Maybe the solution isn’t so much innovation as it is smarter innovation. Newspaper innovations tend to be safe, which does not necessarily equate to smart. Smart is ahead of the curve. Safe is generally behind it.

Tongue in cheek?
Ideas for saving the industry…pet obits is not a bad idea.

Readership status

New information from the Readership Institute...good news and bad news.

The bleeding has not stopped, but it's not as bad as everyone says.

Stil, even the Readership Institute admits that low-reading groups will not be likely newspaper readers in the future. The challenge is put succintly by RI blogger Mary Nesbitt:

Is it asking the impossible to expect newspapers to maintain a relevant, engaging print product for that large swathe of the population that clearly still reads and enjoys print: and to create something differently compelling online; and to build a new business model? Perhaps. But the 110 million adult Americans who rely on their daily newspaper are counting on you and us to find a way.

Other notes:

• Jeff Jarvis reconstructs a newsroom budget (for discussion's sake). Interesting thoughts. Most important: investment should go to beat reporting, which has tremendous value (watchdogging, potential investigations).
  
• Interesting insight to what is going on at the Tampa Tribune. As reported by Trib intern Jessica DaSilva, these are words straight from Editor Janet Coats: "People need to stop looking at TBO.com as an add on to The Tampa Tribune. The truth is that The Tampa Tribune is an add on to TBO."
  
• Mindy McAdams' look at the Tampa Tribune's newsroom reorganization.