Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Tuesday | Nov. 4 | Got news, or a question?

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40 comments:

  1. Jim breaks the news AGAIN:
    http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idINN0336626920081104?rpc=44

    "The news, which was first reported by former Gannett employee Jim Hopkins on his company watchdog blog, comes after the McLean, Virginia-based publisher of more than 80 local U.S. dailies and USA Today -- the nation's largest by circulation -- gets ready to cut 10 percent of its newspaper jobs."

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  2. Food for thought on this election day:

    In my new, non-Gannett job, I had a conversation yesterday with a very intelligent college engineering student, who told me newspapers were dead and good riddance. I asked him where he got his news and he said CNN. I asked him how would he get news about his local town government, and he said that in his community, there are all sorts of blogs by local watchdogs and that's how he keeps up with local news. "But how do you know you can trust this information?" I asked. "How do I know I can trust what the newspaper is writing?" he shot back.

    For all our angst about newspaper size, cost and web content, this is the key question. We've lost the readers' trust. We've let our biases lead us around for too long. The industry has to go back to being more objective and balanced. Let's hope it's not too late.

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  3. It's too late...

    See Gannett's newspaper's endorsements...

    Obama 29, McCain 8

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  4. Unfortunately, I agree it is too late to win back readers' trust, and I say that as someone who's voting for the Democratic ticket. During this election season the imbalance in coverage has been noticeable and readers are having fits in the comments sections of our local papers. The approach the AP is taking to writing news with spin rather than objectivity is not good. While Obama is projected to win if the polls can be believed, some 40-some percent of the population likely will vote for McCain and feels bitter and alienated about our profession. Losing them as readers takes us ever downward on our death spiral. When I was a kid in my first newspaper jobs, the newsroom viewed itself as serving readers of all economic classes and political viewpoints. It seems like now we're writing for the elite - and each other.

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  5. NEW YORK, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Gannett Co Inc's (GCI.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) chief executive will take a voluntary 17 percent cut off his annual pay as the largest U.S. newspaper publisher's advertising revenue falls and it prepares to cut thousands of jobs.

    "All Gannett employees are making deep sacrifices for their company," said Chief Executive Craig Dubow, whose salary would fall by $200,000 starting this month and going through 2009.

    The comment was included in a memo sent to employees.

    All company and divisional officers will have their salaries frozen for 2009, the memo also said.

    The news, which was first reported by former Gannett employee Jim Hopkins on his company watchdog blog, comes after the McLean, Virginia-based publisher of more than 80 local U.S. dailies and USA Today -- the nation's largest by circulation -- gets ready to cut 10 percent of its newspaper jobs.

    Gannett earlier this year said it would cut about 3 percent of staff in its newspaper division.

    Dubow's base salary, which will be cut, is $1.2 million a year. His total compensation is about $7.5 million, counting base pay, bonus, stock awards, stock options and deferred compensation interest earnings, a company spokeswoman said.

    Dubow volunteered the pay cut to the board, which accepted it, said the spokeswoman, Tara Connell.

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  6. Not talking abut editorial endorsements, that's a time-honored tradition. Talking story placement, headlines, non-coverage of news and out and out slanted stories.

    Case in point (and Jim, this is more than just about politics, pls don;t banish this post!): When Obama threw NY Post, Washington Times and Dallas News off plane, it was like YAWN from media. Now if McCain had done something similiar, it would have been front page on NY Times and screamed about for days on all the TV news networks.

    Doesn't matter if your Dem or GOP or an Indie - someone throwing press off plane based on editorial endorsement should upset all jopurnalists.

    I will give Washington Post credit for at least giving the Obama heave-ho story some mention.

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  7. Meanwhile, in the "You've got to be kidding me department"

    Just received via email:
    Your Gannett Benefits - Sweepstakes
    Win an iPod nano!

    As part of this year’s open enrollment, Gannett is offering you UnitedHealthcare’s Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP). The CDHP features a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) funded 100 percent by Gannett. You use your HRA to pay for eligible medical expenses before you pay your deductible.
    The CDHP could be for you if you:
    • prefer lower monthly payroll deductions in favor of a higher deductible;
    • do not want any copayments;
    • want a national network of doctors and hospitals and no referrals;
    • would like preventive care covered 100%.
    Watch an important CDHP video from UnitedHealthcare to be eligible to win an Apple 8GB iPod® nano. Two people will win a nano every business day from Monday, Nov. 3, to Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. You will receive an e-mail informing you if you win, and your nano will arrive by overnight UPS.

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  8. My 16 year old son reads USA Today and the NY Times and Sports Illustrated and Wired magazines. He watches TV.
    He clearly is dominated by the web but he does read as well.
    However, anything that smells of the "older" generation in not going to win his trust. He wants his own brands.
    A few brands will transend the new generation but most likely NOT the local newspapers. They act and feel like "my fathers' newspaper".
    Get with it people and reinvent yourselves. Yes that might mean a few younger journalists...some people who understand how to evolve for a new generation. Start with the sports and life sections. SI bought a whole new generation by launching SI for Kids.

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  9. Obama/McCain '08:
    The last presidential election in U.S. history where daily newspapers were relevant.

    Discuss...

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  10. 8:06, Thank you for posting that conversation you had. I work for a Gannett paper and couldn't agree more with that college student. When my paper ran a big story and web presentation on ALIEN SIGHTINGS I thought to myself, this is why we are sinking fast. This is what we put emphasis on 5 days before one of the most important elections in U.S. history and in the middle of the most troubled economic markets in world history. I can't blame the college student for getting his news from CNN and his local news from local watch dog sites.

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  11. Regarding relevance of newspapers during the election process:

    I really don't think that they had much relevance in comparison to all of the other sources of information. Now we have dozens of cable TV and on-air TV offerings that are covering the process almost constantly. No matter what your persuasion, you can find an outlet that fits our likings. Then there is the internet. My goodness, thousands of opportunities and places to hold discussions with others. Most of the newspapers I've seen have provided nothing more that the expected. You can see from the count on Jim's blog that the majority of the papers went for Obama. That is no surprise now or even before they all published their selection. No matter what, most newspapers are liberal and politically correct. Was this the last election where newpapers were relevant? No, that happened a long time ago when the newpapers starting falling because of so many other news opportunities.

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  12. McCain banned Maureen Dowd of NYT and Joe Klein of Newsweek from his plane. This sort of thing works both ways -- both the Obama bannings and the McCain ones got a little news coverage but not a whole lot. Want to know why? Because people (civilians, not news media folks) don't care about that.

    People see bias where they want to see it. A strongly polarized electorate is not good for any news media that attempt to be objective and fair -- both sides inevitably have bad things written about them, and their supportes inevitably see bias.

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  13. The problem with asking most Gannett journalists "Which was the last presidential election where newspapers were relevent" is the sad fact that most newspaper staffers can't remember any farther back than 1992 ... if then! There is no "context" to anything they write. They are too young. In answer to the question... the last election where the newspapers were influential was probably 1968.

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  14. And look who we got in 1968 ... if Dick Nixon's election was the result of newspaper influence ... well, I'd rather not take any credit for that one.


    Wait, I was 7 at the time .... lol.

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  15. I was -2....

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  16. So are we going back to a Revolutionary War or Federalist paper-style market, where you pick what bias you want to read/listen to? Where you have to understand the slant of the particular media you're watching/reading/listening to in order to recognize where the story is coming from? Maybe this is what the industry is devolving into - a pick-which-blog-you-want- to-believe style of reality. God help us all.

    (Disclaimer: Of course Jim's blog is the gold standard for accuracy and fairness. Seriously.)

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  17. I share your concern, 1:07 p.m.

    How do you maintain a continent-sized democracy when so many start from so many different positions, fact sets, spins. We have become Babel, without foundations common enough to make it work. Every blog claims some special wisdom and has its own following. Some make an attempt at objectivity instead of arrogance, but the numbers are cascading. Maybe we're not driven any farther apart than we were by newspapers, radio and television 30 years ago, but now we're shouting from a go-zillion different corners. Consensus and trust are harder to reach, manipulation and concealed intention easier still. Where's it taking us.

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  18. Consensus would be much easier to reach if we as a country still valued a common language and culture. That is not the case now, we have to embrace and tolerate the intrusion of foreigners. When my grandparents/great grandparents came to the USA, speaking American English and embracing American culture were the priority. Now there is no priority. I live in the Phoenix area and duel language signage and labeling are the norm. I have seen the same in other parts of the country as well. As if the pictures on the cans and items in the stores were not enough to get the idea across!

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  19. Very confused! Have been "bought out" and have not received any information about the health coverage plans for next year. Has this information come out yet? Did it go to my disconnected computer at Gannett?

    Thanks for you response, there are so many of us who need to know!

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  20. Louisville, Voluntary Layoffs offered.

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  21. does anyone know if volunatary layoffs effect unemployment compensation? we've been given the offer

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  22. It varies state to state. Check with your local unemployment office.

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  23. An email has been sent to Appleton, Wis., employees from publisher Genia Lovett saying that requests for voluntary severance will be "seriously considered."

    Production facility employees are not eligible for voluntary separation. Severance terms will be the same as the involuntary separations. Requests must be made to HR by Nov. 11.

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  24. Severance does not affect unemployment. At least it did not for me. Make sure you have the paperwork designating the payments and benefits as a severance package. My unemployment benefits amounted to $9,100.

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  25. The severance package isn't what I would call a nice cushion for being thrown out on your ass, but at least there is one.

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  26. Why aren't production employees eligible for voluntary separation in Appleton?

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  27. volunteers just asked for in the Central New York Group........Binghamton, Elmira and Ithaca...no mention of production people not being allowed

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  28. What's up with the phantom stock SEC filing? What's that mean?

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  29. Greenville is also asking for volunteers to be considered for termination. It says the package would be the same as for involuntary, and volunteers wouldn't be guaranteed acceptance because of staffing needs in some departments.

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  30. Voluntary separation is only going to be allowed in the departments that can accommodate them. If the production facility is having a hard enough time getting qualified staff in the door, we're not going to lay them off.

    On the plus side, it sounds like your entire facility is layoff safe. Sleep easy!

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  31. @5:05pm - This is 4:11pm... should have been more specific... the wording of the email said that the voluntary separation offer is not for production employees at the Appleton Production Facility. Now as to why not? No explanation was given.

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  32. I know it might be taboo to say something positive, but the Asbury Park Press (yes, part of that dreaded NJ group) is throwing everything they have left in their depleted newsroom at this election.

    In addition to streaming live updates from local and county campaign headquarters on app.com, they have compiled a boat load of interviews from polls of "real people, real news" and sprinkled that in.

    Anyone who doubts the work ethic of that newsroom should take a look before saying anything. Kudos to John, Tom and everyone else who pulled this together.

    My only regret is after more than two decades covering elections with all of you, I'm not there to chip in.

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  33. In some states if you take a buy out you are not eligible to collect unemployment

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  34. Sent to Wilmington employees today at 4:46 PM - YOU CAN VOLUNTEER TO NOT HAVE A JOB.....
    To: All News Journal Employees
    From: Curtis Riddle
    Re: Impending Staff Reduction
    As you know, the economic crisis in our country and declining revenues in our industry require us to significantly reduce our expenses. You were notified last week that Gannett newspapers will be reducing payroll expenses by approximately 10%.
    I am working with the News Journal’s Operating Committee to review every aspect of our operations to determine where additional expenses, including jobs, can be eliminated. The job eliminations announced last week are expected to take place in early December, although special circumstances may dictate deferring the effective date a few weeks for one or more individuals. Of course, those whose jobs are eliminated will receive severance, which will be one week of pay for each completed year of service, with a minimum of two weeks’ and a maximum of 26 weeks’ severance.

    If any employee wishes to be voluntarily considered for this severance, you may submit your name to Dolores Pinto, in writing, no later than noon on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. An email or a short note would be fine. If accepted, you would receive the same severance and should expect to depart along the same timetable as described above. Of course, we must also work to preserve our operational strength as we go forward, so I cannot guarantee that anyone who volunteers will be accepted, but your offer will seriously considered.

    Please contact Dolores with any questions.

    Curtis

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  35. The question I would like answered before volunteering to a buyout would be: Will it save someone their job or my leaving just going to be icing on the cake?

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  36. It's 9:22 p.m. ET. Only about 7% of Michigan's votes are in, and McCain is leading. Yet usatoday.com, yahoo.com (with AP data) and washingtonpost.com all have declared Obama the winner. How can they do that?

    I hope we don't have another case of the media jumping too soon to call states.

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  37. 9:22 PM - Hell, I wondering the same thing with a couple other states.

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  38. As a blue collar employee of Gannett who doesn't have a dog in the journalistic race I would like to offer my condolences to the newspaper industry.The media has sold its soul in its unadulterated bias towards Obama.Any shred of jounalistic integrity has been tattered beyond repair as this opinion is shared by many friends and relatives on both sides of the aisle.The papers have decided to go after the left of center demographic while totally alienating a large percentage of Americans.I work on mechanical equipment and realize that that is a bad business plan.What happens when the older readers who have the paper delivered pass away? Their children have realized that there are countless other avenues to gather information from so you will be left with a dwindling readership.As more people realize that you can read most ads and print Sunday coupons online there will go another chunk.The upcoming 10% cutbacks will just be the tip of the iceberg as the industry continues its downward spiral into obscurity.Since the "jounalists" pushed so hard for obama maybe he can hire them for his new national publication-Pravda West...they will fit right in with Dear Leader

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  39. 9:22: they use all sorts of polling data and info from key precints that form a pattern of behavior. All the networks do it. Some states have been called with virtually no results because of this science.

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Jim says: "Proceed with caution; this is a free-for-all comment zone. I try to correct or clarify incorrect information. But I can't catch everything. Please keep your posts focused on Gannett and media-related subjects. Note that I occasionally review comments in advance, to reject inappropriate ones. And I ignore hostile posters, and recommend you do, too."

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