[Afflicting the comfortable: watchdog journalism in Jackson, Miss.]I follow a three-stage process, similar to the decisions made daily in Gannett's newsrooms. My priorities:
- Breaking news. This includes Gannett announcements; company filings with regulatory agencies; sudden shifts in GCI's stock price; personnel changes at GCI papers and TV stations, and big national events that impact Gannett, its employees, readers and small stockholders.
- Reader input. I read every comment posted (one recent day, there were nearly 50), plus every e-mail sent through this link. I also use web analytics software to find posts drawing extra-high traffic. For example: I had second thoughts after writing off-topic about CNN's Anderson Cooper. But then I noticed it drew a lot of clicks, so I posted a follow-up.
- My own enterprise. That requires checking websites of 85 dailies and 23 TV stations for stories, photos, graphics, new techniques (like this one in Detroit) and other good work I want to highlight. I've done a lot less of this in recent weeks, as I've dealt with more breaking news and reader input.
Now, it's your turn! There's just one of me -- and 46,100 Gannett employees. If you see great stuff on any of those 108 websites, please let me know. I merely edit Gannett Blog; readers determine content. Use this link to e-mail feedback; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the sidebar, upper right.
[Image: this morning's Clarion-Ledger, Newseum. The Jackson, Miss., paper has produced some of the nation's best watchdog journalism. Its lede story today is about prominent trial attorney Dickie Scruggs' surprise guilty plea in a judicial bribery case.]
I forgot to mention: This is purely a volunteer gig on my part, and I try to limit time spent blogging about Gannett to less than four hours a day. Also, I don't profit from Gannett Blog; indeed, it costs me a little money each month to keep it going.
ReplyDeleteCool AdScape/Creative Ad Unit ad on the ClarionLedger - one of those "new idea" things that had we started a long time ago, we'd be in a better position now.
ReplyDeleteDon't think I've ever heard an editor gripe about a banner ad across the top of their home page, don't know why some still think their front page should be sacrosanct.
For four hours a day Jim, you should work in McDonalds. You would get benefits, free food and actually make some money.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's right, there is already a disgruntled McDonalds blog out there, so when you get your ass laid off from the burger flipping joint, you won't have anywhere to voice your complaints.
Maybe you can do something good for the environment with those four hours. How about helping some children in need?
Thank you for stopping by; I value all my readers. And, just to repeat: I welcome all specific suggestions of good work across Gannett worth highlighting on my blog. Do you have a suggestion?
ReplyDeleteSorry Jim, here you go:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/work.html