[No Wi-Fi: The message greeting me when I tested the guest signal]
Guess what? The world's "most interactive museum" doesn't have public Wi-Fi access, say employees. And that's just the first of many things I've noticed during my first hour here:- No discount for laid-off journalists, or former Gannett employees. I had to pay the full $20 admission charge.
- No employee has yet to accurately describe to me the relationship between Gannett, the Gannett Foundation, Freedom Forum and the Newseum.
- So far, three employees told me they've never heard of Gannett.
Did you give any of those employees a reacharound?
ReplyDeleteThey've never heard of the mighty Gannett? WTF?! Hilarious.
ReplyDeleteJim, other than former Gannettoids working for the Freedom Forum, there is no association between Gannett and the Forum. Once upon a time, the Forum was the Gannett Foundation. Upon retiring from Gannett, Al Neuharth became its senior executive. Gannett management then proceeded to publicly humiliate Al via comments about his spending habits, etc. Al retaliated by putting up for sale all of those Gannett shares held by the Foundation. I guess Al thought it was pretty crappy for those Gannett execs he'd helped make millionaires to turn on him this way. I'd agree. Once the shares were sold, that Foundation tie between Al and Gannett was severed. Al renamed his new philanthropic entity the Freedom Forum, and Gannett maintained the Gannett Foundation name. It's no wonder some employeess at the Forum don't know anything about Gannett. No association remains for these two groups, except all those former Gannett execs. like Overby, Paulson, etc. who long ago rose through the ranks of the parent.
ReplyDelete"Jim, other than former Gannettoids working for the Freedom Forum, there is no association between Gannett and the Forum."
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why people bother to point out these distinctions to Jim.
After yesterday, it's clear that he doesn't really care whether he has the facts. He just tees up vague, misleading information and starts ranting.
"Did you give any of those employees a reacharound?"
ReplyDeleteAnswer the question, Jim. What are you, stupid or something?
The nuance between the nonprofits is irrelevant. How can docents at the only newspaper museum in America never have heard of the largest newspaper publisher in America?
ReplyDeleteDoesn't make it seem like the trip would be worth the $20, with such ignorant staff.
And no wi-fi? The nonprofit (whichever) seems to be demonstrating exactly the nonprogressive practices that got Gannett and other newspaper companies in the pickle they're in, in the first place.
Current Gannett employees don't get a discount at the Newseum, either.
ReplyDeleteJim, can you try to catch swine flu or something? This stuff is getting silly.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteCurrent Gannett employees don't get a discount at the Newseum, either.
4/26/2009 3:58 PM
Well, I'll guess someone has to pay for the lifestyle Al Neuharth and co-horts enjoy. Way to go, Newseum! I will not enter this place and contribute to this Ponzi-scheme.
Priceless. Let's spread information about information-gathering by ignoring wifi. Faaaantastic.
ReplyDelete