House, hunting

Uneasy optimism among online journalists

             Colleagues who so far have survived all the cuts at newspapers tell me they work in a constant state of worry about "when the next shoe will drop." But online journalists aren't quite so paranoid, according to a recent Online News Association survey of nearly 300 ONA members.

            Produced in partnership with the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism, the survey found that digital journalists "are optimistic about the future of their industry, more so than those working for more traditional media outlets," the ONA said in a news release.

            Some excerpts: 

             “'I think there's a huge potential in online journalism, but there's also a lot of scary stuff out there …,' said one respondent. 'We have to try to not lose our way.'

            "This optimism also applies to the economics of the online news business. More than 60% say their online units currently are making a profit, and four in 10 respondents are 'very confident' that online news can find a profitable model." (It's too bad that journalism, viewed by myself and widely as a public trust, is so reliant on profits. Why isn't there more thought outside of that box?) 

            "More than half, however, believe the internet is changing the fundamental values of journalism — more often than not for the worse. Among the biggest changes cited are a loosening of standards (45%), more outside voices reducing the clout of journalists (31%) and an increased emphasis on speed (25%). (I'd certainly agree that speed is the biggest threat as more reports are posted before they can be adequately checked out. There's a correcting factor on the Web as posts are updated and fleshed out, but inaccurate information does nothing to help restore credibility. More outside voices are a threat unless and until the public learns to separate the wheat from the chaff. Not sure about the extent to which standards have loosened, but I'll look into that.)

                "Six in 10 (63%) respondents ranked original reporting as the most important type of information they produce.," ONA said. "This was more than four times as much as the second choice, aggregated material from wires and other legacy outlets (13%)."

                I'd agree that original reporting is the most important information online journalists produce, and it's an essential basic that's greatly enhanced by cyber tools and other resources. The job of turning original work must not be left to a motley few journalists and thinly stretched wire services. The free world needs all the journalists possible to dig into developments and hold government accountable. 

                The ONA survey is a special report that's part of the Project's annual report on the state of the news industry -- the State of the News Media 2009.

A 1990 view of newspapers in 2020

        The newspaper industry has for years turned out legendary investigative work, analysis and trend packages -- looking through sources’ eyes. But the mess the industry’s in at the moment raises questions about the clarity of its own vision.

        The industry never had to use its own eyes that much during those decades of fat times, but there was effort in some quarters. While rummaging through some of my files, I found a printout of an AP story that gives a sense of that effort.

        The story from April 3, 1990, carried a compelling headline: “Trying to Envision the Paper of 2020 --- If It Still Exists.”

        A colleague at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times had printed out the story for me on a dot-matrix printer (just looking at the printout took me back several lifetimes). I’d kept that printout on fanfold paper just for grins, to compare its view someday with how things were turning out.

        Mike Feinsilber’s story, datelined Washington, focused on concerns among editors attending that year’s American Society of Newspaper Editors convention.

        As usual, they were wringing their hands over eroding circulation and readership, but they had gotten an intriguing report from the Future of Newspapers Committee regarding prototype newspapers that had been designed. It’s interesting reading as much for what’s not there as anything.

        “The prototypes,” Feinsilber wrote, “suggested what the paper might be in 30 years: full of color; full of graphs and charts; highly compartmentalized, organized, indexed, with pages labeled and stories color-coded so readers would know at a glance what’s in the package.”

        There were other visions –- of utility, usefulness, etc. Had me chompin’ at the bit to dive in and begin trying those things.

        Turns out the committee’s vision was pretty good but shortsighted because of what they couldn't see coming. As of 2009 and with 10 years left to realize the vision of '90, some of what they saw has fizzled and some has come to pass.

        But think about what was missing, what no one was talking about and what only a few editors had the foresight to imagine: an emerging force called the Internet.

        The rest is history. The industry's trying to adjust. So is ASNE. Take a look at their Web site. The dominant hed: "ASNE Webinairs."

A bouquet to 360 West Magazine

        Exciting to note that almost a year after Star-Telegram VP/Marketing Jerry Scott was cut in a management restructuring (along with Managing Editor/News Rex Seline, gifted news art manager Matt Pinkney, moi and others), Scott has emerged as publisher of 360 West Magazine -- a slick, sleek and sophisticated book focused on high-end life "west of Highway 360."

        Didn't know that was happening until I saw the Dallas Business Journal story about it earlier this evening on the Romenesko site.

        This is a lively, gorgeous chunk of work directed by skilled and creative former S-Ters Meda Kessler and Marilyn Bailey. In typography, photography, content and design, 360 West Magazine is as much a joy to relish as the best upscale books. When I saw the first of their fabulous photos (reproduced exquisitely by someone around here...sorry I don't know who you are but you're dern good), I immediately checked the credit line and rejoiced to see that the photographer was none other than Ralph Lauer, also a former S-Ter and one of the finest photojournalists in the U.S. You don't get much better than Ralph Lauer.

        As with other talented victims of newspaper cutbacks nationwide, Scott and his folks are living proof that gifted communicators and journalists are not buried by any means in the ruins of newspaperdom. They're very much at work in new pursuits and bringing delightful, compelling content to the public.

        OK, yes, 360 West is about rich people and for rich people and anyone who cares about that stuff, but that sort of content carries universal interest the same way that celebrity news, as gagsome and useless as it is to some of us, appeals to a mass audience. Beautiful stuff is fun and inspiring, and it helps to get one's mind off of things like impending bankruptcy and stale bread from the day-old bread store (and thank God for day-old bread). That was one reason for movie stars' awesome status during the Great Depression, and it's one reason why I think 360 West Magazine will soar. Problem is, a subscription ain't cheap to those of us who count our pennies, but it's online and worth checking out.

        I love that these gifted journalists who I count as my friends and former colleagues aren't going down looking back. They're fixed on what's ahead and giving their best shot at moving on and growing their talents in giving readers a fantastic product.

        As Scott says in the vision statement: "Geographically, we target consumers who live west of Highway 360 –- from Westover to Westlake –- because we think the western half of the Metroplex is the best half. What and who surrounds us inspires our name. People are the heart and soul of any community, and our readers not only have the means, but the inquisitive spirit and desire to seek out the best. Every month inside 360 West you’ll find the work of award-winning writers and photographers from this area who enjoy bringing you the people, places and stories that make life west of 360 so rich and rewarding."

        I may have just a plastic cup of cheap cabernet in my hand, but I lift it to 360 West Magazine in a toast to their work and to their prosperity.

Loaded words

        Loaded words quickly ignite readers' perception of media arrogance and bias. Found most often in color narrative and political reports, loaded words may or may not be used intentionally, but they project judgment and opinion that can undermine the credibility of the story, the writer and the newspaper or magazine in which they're printed.

        I came across an example today in a headline on the Romenesko site: "Obama turns to the web to bypass news media." (Emphasis mine.)

        Does "bypass" mean that President Obama is doing an end-run around the news media? Is he trying to escape media scrutiny or snub the media? Is he pulling a dirty trick or is he simply going directly to Web audiences as the story explained fairly and clearly?

        On the other hand, are the media acting like spoiled brats and trying to tattle on Obama for a bad thing? Are we glimpsing media arrogance? Those questions crossed my mind, and I'll bet a COBRA payment that many readers would react similarly. As an ombudsman, I heard plenty of complaints, mostly justified, about loaded words.

        Every journalist knows or should know about loaded words, which, for credibility's sake, should be avoided unless there is compelling reason not to do so.

        Loaded words are an old, ongoing problem that mars credibility. That's why in 2005 I worked with Heath Meriwether on a loaded-words project for Knight Ridder. I'll talk about that in an upcoming post, but for now here's one example of a problematic reference: Congress "gutting" a budget instead of "trimming" or "cutting." Here's how that struck a Star-Telegram reader that year who came across the use of "gutting" in such a story:

        "Of course, only Republicans 'gut' social programs while Democrats 'trim' defense spending. Even slowing the rate of increase of an entitlement becomes a huge cut in the media's view if a Republican does it."

        "Trim" or "cut" -- even "deep cuts" or "deeply cut" -- would have been perfectly accurate and not likely to inflame readers, especially those who are prone to read "media agenda" into every sentence published. "Gut" projects dark intention and/or action that the story/writer/newspaper opposes. "Gut" is colorful and strong, but the use of it injects a perception of opinion into the story, resulting in compromised credibility.

        Writing that's fair, accurate, balanced and ethical doesn't have to be colorless or bland, but it should always keep credibility -- and loaded words -- in mind.

Labbe, Willey: Two tough sisters

        We learned officially today (because it was printed in ink on newsprint) that J.R. Labbe will ascend to the position of editorial director of the Star-Telegram when longtime VP/Editorial Director Paul Harral retires at the end of April.

        Occurs to me that when Labbe assumes her new role, Dallas-Fort Worth will have powerhouse women at the helm of editorial/op-ed pages for the first time in the history of newspapers around here.

        Keven Ann Willey is vice president and editorial page editor for The Dallas Morning News. Has been since 2002. What does this bode? Lord only knows.

        But this we know: Labbe and Willey are as tough as any leathery, snuff-dippin' ranch women in Texas. When they get snake-eyed (with a smile, of course), they can whup the fire out of elephants, donkeys and anything else that's ornery, and no cage is too big for them to rattle. In fact, the bigger the cage the better. Bring it on.

        I don't know Willey. Never have spoken with her or seen her in person, but I see her strong work and that's all I need to know.

        On the other hand, I've worked with Labbe, sat in editorial board meetings with her and I've been edited by her. I've even heard her say from her office what she, uh, says when something stupid crosses her path. Hey, she was a circus p.r. person back there in earlier days, and that's probably not an easy life. One learns to vent in colorful ways, I suppose.

        And did I mention that Labbe loves guns? All sorts of guns. And she's an accomplished marksperson. Do not mess with her.

        Labbe and Willey are steeped in all levels of politics and the issues, fools and saints found in those realms. They have encyclopedic knowledge of all that and informed opinions about it.

        We in this D-FW market can be thankful that we have big sisters running the big dailies' editorial/op-ed pages and will not take any guff off of political hacks, political shysters or political pretty persons.

        Gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling, you know? Like a little brother tucked into the bed of an old pickup the big girls're driving like hell down the potholed caliche highway of public service.

        And who knows? Maybe we'll make a stop at the Dairy Queen.

        Big sisters know how to take care of us.

Strange bedfellows

        Well, Ollie, here’s another fine mess, friends and neighbors are saying. Why on earth is the Star-Telegram’s editorial page a half-page now and running above the weather package in the A section?

        Well, the weather and opinion are strange bedfellows, and the situation certainly invites references to things like winds of change, business climate and fog alerts.

        My guess: Looks odd, but it’s less expensive, and it may be small price to pay to keep a vital function. Among other things, the move apparently cuts in half the space needed for the daily edit/op-ed package. Instead of taking 12 columns of space in the form of two full, facing pages daily at the back of the B section, the daily package now requires 6. Running atop the weather package, the editorial package uses 3 columns that were there anyway. All that’s required is to add a facing open page, but that can be tricky. Adding an open page affects press configuration and space for news content and involves other factors.

        Once upon a time, saving a page of space could add up to about $100,000 a year in savings. I don't know what such a move would save these days, but it would net real savings that could mean the difference in keeping a staff position.

        Bottom line is that the editorial heart and voice of the daily and Sunday editorial/op-ed package are preserved and will of necessity focus more on local issues.

        Those are good things. But the most important signal the move sends is the paper’s refusal to give up its institutional leadership role in holding government accountable, helping to set the public agenda and providing a forum for readers.

        The day that ends is the day that I’ll give up on the paper.

        That day hasn't dawned and isn’t likely to.

Ensuring credible photography

        We don't hear many complaints about staged photographs -- fabrications that are OK for product shots, photo illustrations and other non-breaking situations. But if a news photo has been set up to, say, replicate a development and readers aren't told, what they're looking at is a staged image that's as much a lie as fabricated text.

        The issue came up in the Star-Telegram this morning in letters to the editor. In the package's last letter, reader Robert J. Wershay complains that he suspects a news photo he'd seen recently in the paper was staged. I don't know whether it was, but I doubt it. The photojournalist ranks at the paper may have been thinned because of buyouts, but I can attest that those who remain are committed to ethical practice.

        As the National Press Photographers Association's Code of Ethics states:

        "1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.

        "2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities." (Emphasis mine.)

        The code goes on to set down positions on other practices, all of which underscore the need to preserve photojournalists' credibility. We seldom hear about NPPA's Code of Ethics. It's good to have reason to mention it.

Shooin' away the death-watch crowd

        Some friends and neighbors asked what I thought of J.R. Labbe’s column yesterday regarding the healthy outlook for the Star-Telegram. Was it a fluffy crock? High-profile cheerleading with no hard facts? A biscuit tossed to "dittohead bloggers "(love that label…thanks, Kathleen Parker)?

        J.R. wrote from facts, experience and a heart not only for the paper but also for the region the Star-Telegram serves. She shared what was reasonable to share even if it was of necessity heavy on rhetoric. At least it was wise and accurate rhetoric comprised of things that needed to be said. I was glad, and not surprised, to see her step up and pop a few caps in the direction of the death-watch crowd. J.R. ain’t afraid of getting in faces.

        She referenced a conversation with publisher Gary Wortel in which he said the Star-Telegram is profitable and positioning for survival. Details would have been wonderful, but, as with personnel developments, such cards are held close to the chest in private-sector matters, and newspapers are not in the business of withholding information unless there is compelling reason.

        I'd say that whatever J.R. knows from her meeting with Wortel and from her insider perspective gave her good reason to write what she wrote.

        Was she whistling past the graveyard, as one blog put it? I doubt it. Those of us who know her know that she’s a strong, principled journalist –- one of the most powerful opinion shapers in Texas as are the other editorial board columnists Bob Ray Sanders,  Linda Campbell and Jack Smith –- and not motivated by flakkery.

        Remember, J.R., as with any journalist, puts her credibility at stake with every word she writes. Remember, too, that her column carried that invisible line: “Trust me.” I doubt she’s going to bet her credibility on a dying horse.

        Beyond that, those of us who know the Star-Telegram feel confident that the paper has a good stretch of life ahead not only because of its profitability but also because there are extremely wealthy folks around Fort Worth who probably wouldn’t stand by and let the paper fold or become a Fort Worth edition of some other paper. The sense of ownership that’s out there is awesome.

        Plus, it’s hard to imagine that some of those folks would tolerate Dallas having a daily newspaper and Fort Worth with nada. Boy does that thought stink up the place.

10 rays of light

        Sunshine Week offers the public an opportunity to learn much about open-government initiatives, who's driving them and why.

        Here are 10 of many excellent sites to peruse:

        -- Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas

        -- Texas Attorney General’s open records page

        -- The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center

         -- First Amendment Foundation

         -- The Sunshine in Government Initiative

         -- National Freedom of Information Coalition’s blog

        -- The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

         -- Judicial Watch

        -- OpenTheGovernment.org

         -- Society of Professional Journalists Sunshine Week page

Celebrating sunshine

        Welcome to Sunshine Week and a sharp focus on the need for open government that respects the public’s right to know.

        That’s a notion that’s spat upon by more than a few Americans who view journalists as agents of treason, particularly when they challenge the secrecy around federal war- and national security-related actions. But there’s little spitting when journalists shine light on government fraud, ineptitude and other abuses of power nurtured in cultures of secrecy. Sad but true: Such practice puts the U.S. government on the same level as any two-cent dictatorship.

        Holding government accountable for transparency is the public’s responsibility, not just an aim of journalists. Sunshine Week raises that point annually in an event led by the American Society of Newspaper Editors and funded by a challenge grant from the Miami-based John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

        Sunshine Week rolls out this year at a time when 73 percent of Americans characterize federal government as secretive, according to the 2009 Sunshine Week survey by Scripps Howard News Service and Ohio University. But nearly eight in 10 adults think President Obama has taken the right step in his Freedom of Information directive that calls for a presumption of disclosure.”

         “Trust in government has been on the decline for some time in the United States. The previous administration's disclosure policies certainly contributed to public skepticism," Jerry Miller, director of the Scripps Survey Research Center at Ohio University, told SHNS. (You can read the story and get a look at the survey results here.)

        "People now appear more optimistic, but still guarded, about President Obama and the current administration's disclosure practices under the Freedom of Information Act."

        What do you think?