The Internet and globalization changed everything. Manufacturing went overseas. Retail is dying. More more shopping is done online. Same for the legacy newspaper business.
The newspaper business is the business of selling advertising. Once people stopped at advertising in newspapers, the revenue dried up and there's no money to pay reporters.
I have over a dozen news apps on my iPhone. I can get real up-to-date reporting from countries all over the world, each with a different perspective. BBC, The Guardian, AlJazeera. You get perspectives you don't get from the US press.
Local newspapers are in a tough spot. They have to compete with local blogs, new sites, neighborhood groups, restaurant reviews sites.
In Saratoga, Springs, The Saratogian is just about dead. Local, not-for-profit news sites are flourishing. Local journalists do great reporting for the love of journalism. The local news sites don't have corporate pressures, and are free to follow stories to wherever they go. Volunteer journalists with great connections do great reporting.
Local newspapers can survive by resorting to a combination of paid and volunteer staff, and a focus on hyper local stories. Local sports journalism. Local political reporting. Get away from polarizing editorials and opinion pieces.
Technology has changed, and the newspaper business will have to adapt to those changes.
I worry a lot about local news. I can make the case that it even more important and has more impact on the lives of its readers than anything regional or national. I think “flourishing” is a bit overstated for the new sites. There are a lot of them, but I don’t think they make a lot of money. As far as pay scale, The 1980s and 1990s were the gold mine years for newspaper companies and they did not pay well then either. I think you are going to see local taxes rise considerably in the next decade because of lack of local coverage.
One of the things that makes America great is our free press. Ken and I have had our tussles over the years, but I believe he knows how much respect I have always had for him and his team. They asked the tough questions, they were persistent, and sometimes they maade us angry. But I never waivered in my belief in not only in their right to push back, I always believed it was their responsibility. That passion can be extinguished if you can't pay the bills and you feel you are vilified for doing your job. I truly hope there is a future for real journalism and those who, through their hard work and belief in telling the whole story, keep the First Ammendment exactly where it beloings. First.
Happy that your son found a more secure calling. Sad to see the state of journalism. Even the Washington Post is downsizing, I see. Hopefully some new paradigm will emerge to keep us informed.
Starting way back in the 1950s, while in high school, I worked part-time for the Post-Star, and felt it was not only exciting but also that was I was “doing good”. My feelings did not change when I went on to the Albany Times-Union and then a paper in St.Louis as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist. Two separate non newspaper careers -spanning 40 years - followed and my work at the papers was still the most fun I had in the workplace. In retirement, I do occasional volunteer newspaper work.
There is a joy to the work. I told my every day I loved getting up in the morning and going to work and if he could find a career like that, it would be a gift. Thankfully, I think he has.
Very insightful piece! Sounds quite true, but too bad for all! What is better than outstanding journalism, especially now? It is a shame. There is so much to learn and keep abreast of throughout life!! Thanks Ken!
Sad to realize that journalism is having the same problems as educators are experiencing. Young idealistic teachers leave the profession at an alarming rate for the same reasons- low pay, lack of recognition, people don’t like them ( parents have very unrealistic expectations of what teachers can do with their spoiled children).
Hopefully this will change for all young professionals struggling to succeed.
I was speaking in Potsdam last night and one of the things folks were talking about was SUNY Potsdam’s problems. It had gone from 4,500 students pre-pandemic to 2,500 this semester. Administration is contemplating cutting liberal arts programs and other departments. In places like Canton and Potsdam, that’s gong to mean the loss of a lot of jobs. Where is Elise Stefanik on that issue?
I’m sure if you ask for him, he would come down and say hi. He is engagement so engaging with visitors would seem to make sense. Leave yourself lots of time for the museum. It really takes 2-3 days to see it all. Don’t miss the airplanes.
I guess I was one of the 40%. Pessimistic enough to be a decent journalist, but not optimistic enough to see a future. Heading to New Orleans next week. We will look for your son.
The Internet and globalization changed everything. Manufacturing went overseas. Retail is dying. More more shopping is done online. Same for the legacy newspaper business.
The newspaper business is the business of selling advertising. Once people stopped at advertising in newspapers, the revenue dried up and there's no money to pay reporters.
I have over a dozen news apps on my iPhone. I can get real up-to-date reporting from countries all over the world, each with a different perspective. BBC, The Guardian, AlJazeera. You get perspectives you don't get from the US press.
Local newspapers are in a tough spot. They have to compete with local blogs, new sites, neighborhood groups, restaurant reviews sites.
In Saratoga, Springs, The Saratogian is just about dead. Local, not-for-profit news sites are flourishing. Local journalists do great reporting for the love of journalism. The local news sites don't have corporate pressures, and are free to follow stories to wherever they go. Volunteer journalists with great connections do great reporting.
Local newspapers can survive by resorting to a combination of paid and volunteer staff, and a focus on hyper local stories. Local sports journalism. Local political reporting. Get away from polarizing editorials and opinion pieces.
Technology has changed, and the newspaper business will have to adapt to those changes.
I worry a lot about local news. I can make the case that it even more important and has more impact on the lives of its readers than anything regional or national. I think “flourishing” is a bit overstated for the new sites. There are a lot of them, but I don’t think they make a lot of money. As far as pay scale, The 1980s and 1990s were the gold mine years for newspaper companies and they did not pay well then either. I think you are going to see local taxes rise considerably in the next decade because of lack of local coverage.
One of the things that makes America great is our free press. Ken and I have had our tussles over the years, but I believe he knows how much respect I have always had for him and his team. They asked the tough questions, they were persistent, and sometimes they maade us angry. But I never waivered in my belief in not only in their right to push back, I always believed it was their responsibility. That passion can be extinguished if you can't pay the bills and you feel you are vilified for doing your job. I truly hope there is a future for real journalism and those who, through their hard work and belief in telling the whole story, keep the First Ammendment exactly where it beloings. First.
Ken, sadly for journalism your son made the right move.
The Springsteen sing “Glory Days” always bubbles up in my memory when I read about Jimmer Fredette.
Watching Jimmer play his high school ball here all those years ago was truly a gift.
Happy that your son found a more secure calling. Sad to see the state of journalism. Even the Washington Post is downsizing, I see. Hopefully some new paradigm will emerge to keep us informed.
Starting way back in the 1950s, while in high school, I worked part-time for the Post-Star, and felt it was not only exciting but also that was I was “doing good”. My feelings did not change when I went on to the Albany Times-Union and then a paper in St.Louis as a reporter, editorial writer and columnist. Two separate non newspaper careers -spanning 40 years - followed and my work at the papers was still the most fun I had in the workplace. In retirement, I do occasional volunteer newspaper work.
-Dave Nathan, Bethesda, MD
There is a joy to the work. I told my every day I loved getting up in the morning and going to work and if he could find a career like that, it would be a gift. Thankfully, I think he has.
Very insightful piece! Sounds quite true, but too bad for all! What is better than outstanding journalism, especially now? It is a shame. There is so much to learn and keep abreast of throughout life!! Thanks Ken!
Sad to realize that journalism is having the same problems as educators are experiencing. Young idealistic teachers leave the profession at an alarming rate for the same reasons- low pay, lack of recognition, people don’t like them ( parents have very unrealistic expectations of what teachers can do with their spoiled children).
Hopefully this will change for all young professionals struggling to succeed.
Best wishes to Jimmer .
I was speaking in Potsdam last night and one of the things folks were talking about was SUNY Potsdam’s problems. It had gone from 4,500 students pre-pandemic to 2,500 this semester. Administration is contemplating cutting liberal arts programs and other departments. In places like Canton and Potsdam, that’s gong to mean the loss of a lot of jobs. Where is Elise Stefanik on that issue?
I may run into your son this weekend. I'm in New Orleans for a wedding and plan to visit the museum.
I’m sure if you ask for him, he would come down and say hi. He is engagement so engaging with visitors would seem to make sense. Leave yourself lots of time for the museum. It really takes 2-3 days to see it all. Don’t miss the airplanes.
It is sad and frightening to read this. I appreciate the news I get even more now.
I guess I was one of the 40%. Pessimistic enough to be a decent journalist, but not optimistic enough to see a future. Heading to New Orleans next week. We will look for your son.