"Maybe even a bit more irrelevant than that,'' they wrote in an especially thoughtful comment. "I don't see it trending in the positive direction it once was. Appears it wants to abandon print and become some sort of Google-like entity with limited original content or journalistic assets. That's fine. Products morph into other things. But let's not pretend USA Today is interested in being a hard-hitting news organization anymore. That ship has sailed.What I fear is that once the honeymoon is over with the bells and whistles of the web, and people once again begin to thirst for credible news and sports reports on whatever platform, USA Today will not be able to crawl back into the journalism business. In fact, many current news organizations, which are getting rid of journalists by the hundreds, are going to be in for a rude awakening once America wakes up and wants its media to do what the media should do in a democracy. Newspapers aren't the only things going extent. Journalism itself, whether it be in print or broadcast, has taken a heavy blow lately.
'Gambling on shiny websites'The country has remained strong because, in part, the media has done its job. In the current environment of most newsrooms, where web engineers and Internet "reporters" are taking the jobs of veteran editors, writers and others, watchdog journalism is dying. So is good, solid, basic reporting, research, writing and design. That is not a good thing for a country that claims to value its freedom. But the big corporations, that own most media, are not so interested in things like that. They are interested in where the money is going. Therefore, they are gambling on shiny websites and pop-up ads, as they show the door to the people who were once part of a noble profession.
Sorry to sound like an old crank, but this is true, dangerous and not just some romantic notion from a former newspaper guy. Corporations have failed to protect the backbone of newspapers while transitioning into new media. And it's all about money. The only real journalism that will be going on will be at the smaller, family-run operations. Might not be much money or fanfare in the mom and pop newsrooms, but my guess is that those smaller publications will thrive and gain more respect as papers like USA Today give up the quest to remain the nation's newspaper.
For young journalists who still understand the value the role of media in a democracy, look to the smaller papers, websites, news letter, non-profits and magazines to practice your craft. You will have far more job satisfaction than you will working for a corporation like Gannett.However, if your idea of good journalism is in showing 60 seconds of some crappy but sensationalized video in a two-inch window over the net, then Gannett and USA Today might be the place for you.
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Amen, brother... Well stated.
ReplyDeleteUSA TODAY and every other newspaper out there are going to regret stripping all of that journalistic know-how from newsrooms during these tough times. I predict, though, that things will trend back to media providers and employers wanting more seasoned employees with sound editorial instincts. For those who were laid off, and haven't found other professions, there still might be a chance to get back into the business they once enjoyed. The optimist in me tells me that employers are going to get tired of not having steady hands at the helm - writers and editors with vast knowledge of everything from libel to managing a desk or bureau. Old school people who didn't mind working holidays, nights and so forth. The media can't continue operating the way it is, with no regard for the fundamentals of journalism. I agree that a democracy needs newspapers (in whatever form) and good news people to run them. Too many good people are on the streets right now, and we need them back.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, the industry is in "survival mode" and Gannett in particular is built around top heavy, arrogant managers they've lost sight of reality- News and its distribution. Distribution, writing, ad sales has all be hit with those kept who can suck up best, not perform as managers (owners) of their respective responsibilities. Instead of fighting for readers and providing a better product, they've essentially given up the basic newspaper concept in favor of literally not having a direction other than cutting costs and putting lipstick on the remaining pig. The smoke and mirrors of USA TODAY, the golden child of the Gannett empire, is lifting forcing the paper to do what others couldn't and USA TODAY won't- Be viable. More than half of their circulation is in hotels and other unique locations such as cafeterias , restaurants... In other words, the majority of their circulation is given away. There's no way to suspect an on-line model can leverage the entire readership. Ultimately, USAT will have to come to grips with advertisers recognizing the true depth and reach of distribution and their odd approach to being relevant on-line.
ReplyDelete"What I fear is that once the honeymoon is over with the bells and whistles of the web, and people once again begin to thirst for credible news and sports reports on whatever platform, USA Today will not be able to crawl back into the journalism business."That's a lot of dumb in a small amount of space. 'Honeymoon?' I think USAT has had a website for nearly 15 years now. 'Bells and whistles?' People consistently come to websites to read news and look at photos -- that's what drives traffic, just like with newspapers. 'Thirst'? Wow. You think people stopped thirsting? You think the web has made people less aware of the news?
ReplyDeleteNo one, including USA Today or Gannett, paid much attention to the web site most of those 15 years. It was a very long courtship. The honeymoon has been the last year or so, you freakin' idiot. Yeh, I can stoop to name-calling too.
ReplyDeleteAs for news and photos, oh, please. The web site, like most, is a big trap for readers and surfers. Write deceptive headlines to get people to click. Create cute little games to get more hits. Yeh, that's great journalism!!! To think people use to make fun of tabloid journalism. What do you call this?
I don't know why USA Today just doesn't admit to what it wants to become. Another trendy web site that appeals to the lowest morons possible. The Twitter gang. This is becoming less of a news site by the day. To make matters worse, the paper seems to be getting crappier too. Won't be surprised to see circulation cut in half within the next couple of years.
It's time USA Today stop claiming it is the national brand for news. The site and paper are filled with mistakes and really, really dumb, bias and just silly content. Sort of ironic because it took USA Today so much time to rid itself of its shallow image. Then overnight it undone everything. Guess the brand couldn't stand being considered in a similar league to real news media so it went out and killed whatever cred it had.
There are a lot of startup web sites, and even some print pubs, that are providing real news now that brands like USA Today have gotten into the entertainment biz. New sites and pubs that still fact check and have gatekeepers who don't let juvenile crap get through. I wish them much success.
Maybe there is a silver lining in all of this.
Did USA Today ever have credibility amongst editorial types at other media? Just asking. I don't work on the end of the business.
ReplyDeleteI don't see the web site as reflecting a better or worse image of the brand. It appears to just be taking the print formula of mass consumption and putting it online.
I go to the NY Times.com, or the paper if I can find it, for my news. I just trust it more than USA Today.
Interestingly, I clicked on national news at azcentral, and got USA Today feeds!
ReplyDeleteUSA TODAY has fallen to new lows in news coverage.
ReplyDeleteI get tired of seeing the same stories posted for days, and are just posted further down the page.
Surely there is more news than what happened 3-5 days ago. It is a sad and tired "old lady" of a paper today.