"Gannett Blog has lost its 'hear it here first edge,'' a reader said in a comment this morning. "Seems to be just repackaged news/Gannetteer-type announcements and endless open reader/comment forums, which I guess serve some purpose. But where are the fact-based scoops?"
Time for a reality check:
- Myth: Jim Hopkins has well-placed sources at Gannett's uppermost management levels; that's how he's gotten so many "scoops" about what's really happening in the company.
- Reality: You are my sources. In August, I was the first to report widely that Gannett planned to eliminate 1,000 newspaper jobs. My source: a Maryland newspaper publisher's memo to employees, forwarded to me by a Gannett Blog reader. Ditto for last month's Bob Dickey memo, disclosing the latest round of layoffs. He didn't send it to me; a blog reader did.
Most of what I do, however, is a lot of hum-drum information management. I monitor your thousands of comments for news. I watch for company regulatory filings and industry reports. I post that information, using everyday language so as many employees as possible understand the implications. Then I publish it on a public blog, where anyone can read it 24/7 -- safe in the knowledge I'll protect their privacy from management scrutiny.Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.
[Image: today's Daily Times in Salisbury, Md., Newseum. A Gannett Blog reader there was my source for the news in August that GCI was about to eliminate 1,000 newspaper jobs]
Jim, thank you for your work. The posts griping about the "lack" of information smack of two things:
ReplyDelete1. People who've gotten used to being spoonfed who are unwilling to try to ferret out anything for themselves.
2. Corporate trolls who want to discredit you because of what this blog has become: A daily stop for thousands of people who feel powerless to respond to what is happening to them and come here for the opportunity to remind themselves that they are not the only ones going through this and that they are not crazy for feeling the way they do about it.
It's been said, but it bears repeating: take control of your own situation as much as you can, and stop expecting someone to step in and be your savior. Some things will be beyond your control, and all you can do is roll with them as best you can. But to blame Jim for not having a crystal ball to tell you, "Yes, Virginia, you too are being laid off," is like expecting a doctor to tell you, "Yes, you will get (pick a disease)," and pinpointing a date on which you will have it.
People are constant whiners when it comes to news. They want more of it. They want it faster. And they want it for free.
ReplyDeleteThat's the big challenge that faces journalism today, and I'm not sure that readers are going to get what they want.
Faster? Yes. We can do that.
More? Well, sure, given the resources to hire more reporters, and the space in which to publish their efforts.
Free? Try that, and you may see your stock drop from around $80 a share to $6 and below.
Then you get less news reported less often.
And you'll really have something to whine about.
I think people are just scared and uncertain of what the next few weeks are going to hold. We're trying to find out before it actually happens because that's our human nature. I know it sucks, but we all just have to wait.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, please take some time to support this blog by clicking to the side of your screen and donating a few bucks. Jim is doing a great service for employees.
ReplyDeleteCorporate has clearly shut down information channels, thanks to your previous efforts which embarrassed them. The layoff plans are so closely held that even middle managers aren't aware of the details. The problem with doing it this ways is that it favors the favored pets, as we will soon see very clearly.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate all the info you have passed on to us.
ReplyDeleteI read most of the posts. I think one of the big problems is the feeling of helplessness, not knowing who or exactly when. I just continue to do my job, read the blogs and wait it out.
Other myths about Jim: Death Rays shoot out of his eyes. He can leap tall buildings in, well, two bounds. He can hold his breath for 10 minutes.
ReplyDeleteHe's a single man people, not "Super Man".
Hey everyone, as 5:53 suggests, please keep this worthy, valuable blog going by showing your appreciation and sending in your donation today.
ReplyDeleteJim is not all-knowing and all-seeing?!? Holy shit, alert the media!!
ReplyDeleteEr ... wait a second ...